Will: Charles Davis (1811)

Will of Charles Davis
PWCo. Will Book K, pg. 131

In the name of God Amen. The Twelfth day of November one thousand eight hundred and eleven I Charles Davis of the State of Virginia Farmer, being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God therefor, calling unto mind the mortality of  my body, knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent christian burial at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the almighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

Imprimis. I devise and bequeath to my beloved child Barbara Davis one feather bed and furniture, one sorrel horse colt, one red heifer yearling with a white face to she and her heirs to have and to hold forever. Secondly and lastly, I give and bequeath to my b[e]loved wife Elizabeth Davis all the remainder of my estate that I possess in this world to have and to hold as long as she lives and at her death decease to be equally divided amongst my three children Sarah Rison, Edah Woodyard and Barbara Davis to have and to hold they and their heirs forever. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year first above written.

Charles [X his mark] Davis  {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged and declared in the presence of us and of each other.

Jesse [X his mark] Warder
John Ratcliff

At a Court Continued and held for Prince Wm. County Dec. 3 1811.

This last will and Testament of Charles Davis decd was presented to the Court by Elizabeth Davis his widow and being proved by the oaths of Jesse Warder and John Ratcliff was ordered to be recorded and on motion of the said Elizabeth administration with the will annexed of the said Davis is granted her she having taken the oath prescribed by law and given security according to law.

Teste.  J. Williams.  Ct. Cur.

Newspaper Tidbit: Fire at Dumfries (1847)

Baltimore Sun (Maryland)
3 May 1847

FIRE AT DUMFRIES, (Va) -- Eighteen Houses Burned

A correspondent of the Washington Union, writing from Dumfries, Va., states that on Wednesday last, a fire broke out in Mrs. Boyle's house, opposite the brick tavern, and destroyed nearly all the houses at the east end of the town; the house of Mr. Dunnington; the large three story, frame, containing about thirty rooms, belonging to the Colquhoun's and Dunnington's heirs; the old baking house; Mrs. Waters', Mr. Allen's, and several other houses, in all 18, were consumed.  About 40 persons were turned out of their homes.

Nearly all the men were absent, engaged in the fisheries on the Potomac. There was an awful silence -- no bells, no engines -- and the inmates of the houses, mostly females, looking on in mute despair.  Such was the dryness of the houses, and so rapid was the progress of the flames, that but few saved anything but their wearing apparel.

Newspaper Tidbit: County Teachers for 1934-35

Manassas Journal (Va)
30 August 1934

COUNTY TEACHERS FOR 1934-35

Aden -- Ila V. Breeden and Alice Breedon.

Brentsville -- Dorothy Woodhouse.

Greenwich -- Alvin Kline and Mary Benson Terrell.

Woodlawn -- Gary Richardson.

Bristow -- Elizabeth Hovey.

Kettle Run (col.) -- Josephine Wallsee.

Nokesville -- C. O. Bittle, Maron Broaddus, Elizabeth Q. Morris, Elizabeth Thomasson, Elizabeth Weatherman, Julia H. Bowen, Lucye J. Hillsman, Veta M. Drape and Harry M. Love.

Hayfield -- Emma W. Carter

Woodbine -- W. Y. Ellicott and Dorothy Suedegar.

Cherry Hill -- Christine Clarke.

Dumfries -- Samuel C. Patton, Frances Scott, Lucy Lewis, and Dorothy White.

Joplin -- Laurine Billings.

Quantico -- Patricia Sledd, Kathleen Clement.

Cabin Branch (col.) -- Margret V. Stokes

Quantico (col.) -- Ethel O. Mitchell

Neabsco (col.) -- Winnie Walker

Catharpin -- Willie P. Marshall (emergency).

Hickory Grove -- Selina T. Wilson.

Haymarket High School - W. L. Lynn, Jr., Mrs. Willis Foley, Maude Jordan, Mary Meade, Anna Blough, Sallie Massie, Katherine Foster and Ellen Eskridge.

Antioc (col.) -- Ella Morgan and Louise Allen.

North Fork (col.) -- Evelyn Primas.

McCrae (col.) -- B. Oswald Robinson

Thornton (col.) -- Katherine Toomer

Buckhall -- Myrtle A. Hensley.

Bennett Graded School -- Grace L. Hite, Margaret Powell, Ethel Robinson, Marguerite Neal, Virginia Polen, Virginia Frazer, Helen Dunkley, Loriece Carter, Eleanor Douthat, Harriett Bozarti, Ruth P. Smith, Grace E. Metz and Mary B. Nelson.

Manassas High School -- E. H. Osbourne, E. J. Johnson, Abbey M. Sutes, Veta M. Draper, Harry M. Love, Lulu D. Metz, Nancy W. Waters, Pauline Smith, William E. Lloyd, Mrs. C. R. Johnson, and R. Worth Peters.

Brown (col.) -- Bessie White, Lutie Lewis and Lucille Ford

Manly (col.) -- Georgia H. Berry

Bethel -- Virginia Grockett and Winnie Hensley

Occoquan District High School -- Elizabeth M. Vaughan, Arthur G. Harmon, Alonzo B. Hags, Treva Holler, Edythe Mae Thomasson, Jaquelyn Johnston, Lula Brydie, Mary Agnes Love and Mary D. Hood.

Summitt (col.) -- Ethel Lee Davis

Rural Supervisor -- Sue Frances Ayres, Manassas, Va.

PWCo Items: 15 August 1870

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
15 August 1870

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY. -- The daily attendance of persons at the bush meeting held recently in the grove near Gainesville was between three and five hundred. On last Tuesday 40 converts, varying in age from 12 to 80 years, were immersed.

From the Brentsville Advocate and Manassas Gazette we take the following items.

Mr. Edwin Nelson, of Dumfries Township, met with a painful accident a few days ago, which has disabled him from attending to his business for several days. He was cutting something overhead, when the axe glanced, the edge striking him near the eye, making a severe cut.

The Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad Company have advertised for proposals for the gradation and masonry of a branch of their road, to run from Brook's station to a point near Quantico in this county.

The friends of Dr. R. W. Wheat, late of the county, will be pleased to hear that his health has improved, and that he is building up a fine practice in South San Francisco, having concluded to remain there.

A primary meeting of the Conservative voters of Brentsville Township will be held on Saturday next, for the purpose of appointing ten delegates to attend the count convention.

Mr. O. P. Chappell has removed his saw mill from Sprigg's Ford to Manassas, and is also engaged in puting in a planning mill in connection with his other business.

A meeting for the purpose of choosing delegates to attend the Convention, next September court, will be held at Manassas on Saturday, August 27th.

Charles A. Dunnington, Esq., a native of the county, and late a member of Co. A., 4th Virginia cavalry, C.S.A., expects to leave for California this week.

The picnic given by the Stonewall Base Ball Club, of Manassas, last Saturday, was a most delightful affair, and was attended by the elite of the neighborhood.

Mr. J. F. Andrews has sold 50 acres of his land, in the lower part of the county, to Mr. Schlag of the U.S.A.

Mr. Wallace Hixon is building a neat dwelling at Manassas which he intends occupying himself.

The building of Mr. R. W. Merchant at Manassas is going rapidly forward, and will soon be finished.

Mr. A. S. Davis is building an addition to his tin shop, at Manassas to make room for his increasing business.

H. O. Claughton, Esq., of Alexandria, will address the people of the county on Monday (September court day) at Brentsville.

Friend of Friends Friday: Inventory of Margaret Feagan

Inventory of Margaret Feagan
PWCo Will Book L, pg. 11

Inventory and appraisment of the Estate of Margaret Feagan (deceased) made by the subscribers the 28th July 1815.

Articles of Property / Price Dols & Cents

1 Negro named Benjamin / 400.00
1 ditto named Lucy / 275
1 Bed Bedstead and furniture / 22.00
1 Black Walnut Table / 1.50
1 Foot Wheal 2 50/100 1 Large Wollen Wheal 1 50/100 / 4.00
1 Dish 1 Bason & 3 pewter plates 2 spoons / 2.00
1 Small chest / 1.00
1 Gray Horse / 30.00
1 Black ditto / 30.00
1 Old Waggon & Hind geer / 40.00
1 Cow and calf / 13.00
1 Heafer / 7.00
1 Loom / 5.00

[Amount dol & cents]  $830.50

In pursuance of an order of the County Court of Prince William bearing date the 5th June 1815 after being duly sworn we have inventoried & appraised the Estate of Margret Feagan deceased, as above given from under our hands this 20th July 1815.

Benj. Dean
Wm. Green
Wm. Mount

At a Court held for Prince William County January 6th 1817.

This Inventory and appraisment of the Estate of Margaret Feagan decd was returned to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste
P. D. Dawe  Ct Cur

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Account of Sales of Estate of Margaret Feagan
PWCo Will Book L, pg. 12

Account of sales made the 10th of August 1815 of the Estate of Margaret Feagan (deceased)

Articles / Purchasers / Price / Amount

1 Bed Bedstead & furniture / to George Feagan / $30.75 / $30.75
1 Black Walnut Chest / to Francis Feagan / 0 / .60
1 Foot wheel / to C. Feagan / 1.25 / 1.25
1 Cotton wheel / to G. Feagan / 1.33 / 1.33
1 Lot pewter / to Latham Feagan / 3.33 / 3.33
1 Walnut Table / to James Feagan / 2.50 / 2.50
1 Loom / to W. J. Washington / 0.50 / 0.50
1 Waggon & gear / to Wm. Green / 51.50 / 51.50
1 Cow & Calf / to Latham Feagan / 22.76 / 22.76
1 Heffer / to Latham Feagan / 10.05 / 10.05
1 Gray Horse / to Wm. Green / 48.25 / 48.25
1 Sorrel Horse / to James Feagan / 30.25 / 30.25

1 Negro Woman [Lucy] / to W. J. Washington  / 270.00 / 270.00
1 Negro Man [Benjamin] / to Wm. Green / 400.00 / bond 400.00

[Total]  $873.07

I Certify that the above sale was made by me the administrator of the aforesaid Margaret Feagan deceased the 10th August 1815.

Washington J. Washington

At a Court held for Prince William County January 6th 1817

This account of sales of the Estate of Margaret Feagan dec'd was presented to the Court and admitted to record.

Teste
P. D. Dawe  Ct Cur

Deed: Cornwell to Lynn (1849)

Deed: Cornwell & Wife to Lynn &c.
PWCo Deed Book 20 pg. 302

This Indenture made __ day of June 1849 between Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell (his wife) of the county of Prince William & State of Virginia of the one part and Levi C. Lynn & James Norman of the same county & State of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Silas K. Cornwell and Catharine Cornwell for and in consideration of the sum of Forty Dollars to them by the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman in hand paid, the receipt whereof that said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell doth hereby acknowledge, hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents, doth, grant, bargain, sell & convey unto the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman, their heirs and assigns forever a certain parcel of land supposed to contain Five Acres, lying and being in the county of Prince William, and adjoining the land of Jno. Sullivan Jr. John Keys & William Goodwin Sr. being a part of the land allotted to Sarah C. Calvert from her Father's Estate. To have and to hold the said parcel of land with the appurtenances thereto belonging to them the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use & behoof of the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs & assigns forever.  And the said Silas K. Cornwell and Catharine Cornwell for themselves, heirs executors & admr. doth here covenant & give to & with the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs and assigns forever that they the said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell and their heirs the said parcel of land with its appurtenances unto the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs & assigns forever against them the said Silus K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell and their heirs forever and against all persons whomsoever and shall and will by these presents forever warrent and defend.  And witness whereof the said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine hath hereunto set their hand and affixed their seal this 4th day of June and year before written.

Silas K. Cornwell {seal}
Catharine [X her mark] Cornwell {seal}

Prince William Cty to wit

Silas K. Cornwell this day came before us A. H. Saunders & C. E. Norman Justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify sd. acknowledgement to the clerk of the county court of Prince Wm. in order that it may be recorded and on the same day Catharine Cornwell wife of Silas K. Cornwell, who was examined separately and apart from her husband, and made a similar acknowledgement and request, and said it was he voluntary act, and that she did not wish to retract, Given under our hand and seals this the 4th day of June 1847.

A. H. Saunders {seal}
C. E. Norman {seal}

In Prince William County Court June 4, 1849

This deed from Cornwell & wife to Lynn &c. was presented to court with certificate annexed & ordered to be recorded.

Teste -- J. Williams  C. C.



["&c" is often used in land records as an abbreviation for et cetera, Latin for "and the rest." --cgl] 

Will: Charles Harding Sr.

Will of Charles Harding
PWCo Will Book L, pg. 497

I Charles Harding Snr do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following Viz--

1st. I desire that as much of my property be immediately sold after my decease as will pay all my just debts and funeral expences. 2nd I desire that my wife Catherine Harding shall have my young black sow and piggs my crop of cotton one cotton wheel one pair of cotton cards, three barrels of corn one plough and plough stock and plough geer which I give to her and to her heirs forever.  3rd. I give to Lorinda Wartis daughter of Landen Wartis one Bed and Bedstead one iron pot one linnel wheel one cotton wheel & one trunk which I give to her and to her heirs forever.  4th all the rest of my Estate of what nature or kind soever it may be not hereinbefore particularly disposed of I desire may be equally divided among my wife Catherine Harding and my daughter Lydda Harding and Mary Harding daughter of my son Charles Harding which I give to them and to their heirs forever and Lastly I do hereby constitute & appoint George Weedon my Executor to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 24th day of September 1822.

Charles Harding {seal}

Signed saled and published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Charles Harding in the presence of 

Matthias Cole

John C. Weedon

Austin B Weedon

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County November the 4th 1822.

This last will and testament of Charles Harding Senr. decd was presented to the Court by George Weedon the Exor therein named and the same being proved by the oaths of John C. Weedon and Austion Weedon two of the witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded, and the Exor having made oath to the said will according to law and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste,

Philip D. Dawe  Cl Cur

PWCo Items: Jury Cases / Conservative Convention (20 October 1873)

 Alexandria Gazette (Va)
20 October 1873

PRINCE WILLIAM CO. -- [From the Manassas Gazette]

The Circuit Court met at Brentsville on Monday, Judge Keith presiding. As all the civil cases of the County Court had been transferred to the Circuit Court docket under the new law, it was expected that the session of the Court would be a long one, but, on the contrary, it was a short one, as the Court adjourned Thursday morning. The jury cases decided were as follows: Love vs. Bailey, for wharfage near Dumfries, verdict for the defendant; Kincheloe and Pearly's administrator vs. Wm. Brawner's estate, verdict for plaintiff; E. V. Weir vs. W. J. Weir's administrator, verdict for plaintiff; Reamor vs. Ashe, non-suit for defendant.  In the litigated case concerning Mrs. Roach's will, the judgment of the County Court was confirmed. A demurrer involving the question whether the township of Gainesville was responsible to Mr. Stewart of that township for damage to his horse by reason of the defective condition of a public highway was discussed by Gen. W. H. Payne for Stewart, and Judge Nicol for the township.

The Conservative Convention, having failed to make nominations, the field has been left open for a free race, the Republicans having previously determined to make none.  Mr. Geo. C. Round announces himself as a candidate, and Maj. Dunnington has not withdrawn his card as a candidate, so that we may infer that he is still in the field for he House of Delegates, as is Maj. Purcell we believe. Mr. Lewis announces his withdrawal as a candidate for the House of Delegates, as does Mr. Meredith as a candidate for the position of Commonwealth's Attorney. If this triangular race is run for the Legislature, it will doubtless be a close one.

Mr. N. J. Ditto, who lately purchased the fine estate of Judge Cockerille, in Fairfax county, arrived here on Wednesday last to take possession of his new home. Mr. Ditto has a large family, and will be a valuable acquisition to this portion of our State. He is from Washington county, Maryland. His new purchase contains about 300 acres, for which he paid $13,000. It is an elegant place, and under a high state of cultivation.

Col. Chauney H. Snow and his lady arrived at home on Tuesday morning last from Le Surer Minnesota, where he had gone to attend the bedside of a sick brother, whose death was noticed in this paper at the time it occurred.

Mr. David Andrews, who lately purchased a farm near Brentsville, Prince William county, had fifty bushels of oats stolen from his barn whilst he was confined to his house with sickness.

Sunday's Obituary: John R. Huddle

Harrisonburg Daily News (Va)
30 August 1955

DEATH DUE TO  NATURAL CAUSES

Manassas, Aug. 29 -- John R. Huddle, 41, formerly of Elkton, who was found dead Sunday morning in the home of his brother-in-law, Paul Randall, at Brentsville, died of natural causes, Prince William County authorities said tonight after they received the report of the autopsy performed in the Arlington Hospital.

Sheriff Turner D. Wheeling said Mr. Huddle had a bruise on his nose and a black eye. An examination showed that he died of a cerebral hemorrhage and that he may have injured himself in falling.

Mr. Randall told officers that Mr. Huddle came to his home about three o'clock Sunday morning and appeared to have been hurt. Mr. Huddle insisted to his brother-in-law that he was all right. Mr. Huddle was then left to rest on a couch on the first floor and Mr. Randall returned to bed. When Mr. Randall arose later for breakfast he found his brother-in-law dead on the floor.

Mr. Huddle was a widower with five children. He lived at Dunn Loring and worked in Georgetown as a welder.

Funeral services will be held from the Furnace Methodist Church near Elkton, Tueday afternoon at two o'clock. The body will be taken to Elkton Tuesday morning. Mr. Huddle was a native of the Elkton community where he has a number of relatives.

PWCo Item: 10 July 1873

 Alexandria Gazette (Va)
10 July 1873

Letter from Prince William
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

BRENTSVILLE, PRINCE WM. CO., July 9 -- Prince William, generally, celebrated the 4th as a holiday.  A pic-nic and tournament was held at Woodbridge, where everything passed off quietly, all enjoying themselves.  The charge to the Knights was delivered in eloquent and significant language by R. R. Farr, esq., of Fairfax C. H., and the coronation address by James Sangster, esq., in his usual effective manner and happiness of expression.  At Potomac City, there was a grand gathering from Maryland, Alexandria, Washington, Fredericksburg and other places; mirth and dancing were the order of the day.  At Bellfair Mills on the borders of Prince William and Stafford counties, the fair daughters and noble sons of the same counties mingled joyfully in the dance. After dinner all adjourned from the pavillion to witness the contest in the lists. The Knights were charged by J. J. Davies, of Brentsville. The coronation address, delivered by B. D. Suttle, esq., of Stafford, was welcomed by the contained plaudits of the spectators. Manassas was employed in giving a Sunday school celebration. The exercises at Nokesville have been already published in the Gazette.

Yesterday was the last term of our County Court under the present system. This being a grand jury term an indictment was found against  Chas. Tatum, colored, for assault and battery. There were no Commonwealth cases tried and but little of other business transacted.  

The report of the commissioners upon the proposed bridge at Occoquan was recommitted for further report on the 18th inst. 

A commission of Justices and Pysicians held a consultation on the condition of Jack Evans, colored, who has been confined in jail for some time for threatening to kill Z. A. Kankey, esq., of Neabsco Mill.  After some deliberation it was determined to send him to the asylum at Williamsburg or Stuanton.

There was a meeting held to nominate candidates to the convention to be held at Richmond in August. The following gentlemen were examined and promised to attend:  A. H. Feuchsel, Dumfries; Z. A. Kankey, Occoquan; Lawrence Cole, Coles; Maj. Thornton, Brentsville; B. F. Lewis, Manassas; and Maj. Hunter Johnson, Haymarket. 

J.

Wedding Wednesday: Keys/McEuen and Weeks/Herndon

Evening Star (Washington, DC)

27 December 1888

MARRIED AT THE COURT-HOUSE

Two Couples from Virginia and One from Maryland

This morning when the office of the clerk of the court opened there was in the corridor a young couple waiting for a marriage license. This was made out in the names of Wilman J. Weeks and Angeline A. Herndon, both of Branchville, Prince William county, Va.  before this license was issued another couple appeared and procured a license bearing the names of Edward Grove and Cornelia Tucker, both of White Plains, Charles county, Md. A suggestion was made, as they were strangers, that a minister could be procured speedily and a court-room could be opened for the ceremonies. These suggestions were accepted and Rev. Dr. Corey, of the Metropolitan M. E. church, was sent for and tied the double knot in the presence of a large number of members of the bar, clerks and others. In a few minutes thereafter James M. Keys and Catherine McEuen, both of Brentsville, Prince William county, Va., appeared. They were shown into the private room of one of the judges, and Rev. L. H. York, a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, was sent for and made them one.

Trustees' Sale (or is it?): Yorkshire / Locust Grove

Alexandria Gazette (VA)

24 October 1846

TRUSTEES' SALE OF LAND AND NEGROES.--Pursuant to the provisions of two deeds of trust, the one bearing date the first day of May, 1841, and the other the first day of September, 1843, executed to the subscribers for purposes therein mentioned, by John Hooe, Jr., late of Prince William County, both of which deeds are duly recorded in the Clerk's Office of the said County, we shall, on Monday, the 2nd day of November next, at Brentsville, proceed to sell, by public auction, for cash, the following property, to wit:

1. A TRACT OF LAND, lying and being in the county of Prince William, called and known by the name of "YORKSHIRE," adjoining the lands of Lovell Marders, Wm. J. Weir, and Wm. Brawner, containing about 1100 acres, and is the same land which was conveyed to said Hooe by Bushrod Washington and H. Turner.

2. Another tract of land, adjoining the above tract, called "LOCUST GROVE," containing --- acres, to which the said John Hooe, Jr. derived title from his father, the late Bernard Hooe, of Prince William County.

3. A TRACT OF LAND lying in said county of Prince William, on Occoquan run, adjoining the lands of Mrs. Kincheloe, Mrs. Hixon, and others, and contains about 400 acres.

4. The following SLAVES and their increase since 1st September, 1843, to wit: Reuben, Nancy, Lucinda, Thornton, Paris, Mary Ann, Bill, Sally, Laurinda, Betsy, Horace, Davy, and Richard. Such title only as is vested in the undersigned by the deeds aforesaid, will be conveyed to the purchaser; but it is believed that the title to all said property is unquestionable.

A. HANSFORD,

W. R. MASON,

Trustees

King George County, Va., aug 27--eots

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

NOTICE. -- The public are hereby forewarned that the debt embraced in the deed of trust, under which the above lands are offered for sale, is usurious, and not binding upon the estate of Col. John Hooe, deceased; and that as the lands advertised have descended to Mrs. Virginia B. Mason, as a part of her separate estate, and are now in her possession, he will resist the recovery of possession of any of the lands that may be sold by the trustees in said trust, on the ground that the deed of trust is utterly void and of no effect.  As a purchaser at a Trustee's sale is a purchaser without warrant of title, and at his own risk, this notice has been deemed property.

JOHN S. MASON,

VIRGINIA B. MASON,

only child and heir of Col. John Hooe, Jr., dec'd.

Prince William Co., Va., sep 10 -- cots

PWCo Items: 1 August 1874

Alexandria Gazette
1 August 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS.--[From the Manassas Gazette.]

The water in the well of Mr. E. E. Conner, of this place, became so strongly tinctured with coal oil several months ago that the family was compelled to discontinue its use.  Last week Mr. C. had the well cleaned out. There was found an oily substance on the surface of the water which, on having fire applied to it, burned as brilliantly as the best coal oil. Mr. C. cannot account for the presence of the substance.

Edwards, a German, living with Mr. C. Matthis, of this place, had occasion to go on top the barn one day last wee, and, missing his footing, fell to the ground a distance of fifteen or eighteen feet, sustaining a terrible fracture of one of his legs and a very bad sprain of an ankle. The bones were terribly shivered between the knee and ankle joints and protruded through the flesh.

Constable Keys, with a number of men, surrounded and arrested Monroe Atchison, on Saturday last, at Horton's store. Atchison is one of the brothers, two others of which are at large, who are suspected of stealing two horses from the Herndons. He was taken before Justice Law, who committed him to jail. Atchison expects to prove an alibi.

A wandering albino, with a pack on his back, passed through here one day last week. His complexion was almost snow white, and his hair, including his beard, eyebrows and lashes, if possible, were whiter than his skin. His eyes were almond shaped, and a light cherry-red. He was of light statue, and walked as nimbly as a cat.

Nearly every well in the town of Manassas has gone dry, and will continue so while they remain at their present depth -- from fifteen to twenty feet.

One Wednesday, the 5th of August, at Sudley church, a festival will be held for the purpose of raising funds for the completion of said church.

Delegates to the Congressional Convention to meet at Tappahannock on Wednesday next will be appointed at Brentsville on Monday.

Horse racing, which bid fair in the early summer to be all the rage at Manassas, seems to have entirely died out.

Blackberries are plentiful now, and selling at from two to three cents a quart.

The corn crop, from present appearances, we fear, will be a short one.

The County Court for the August term sits on Monday next.