Friend of Friends Friday: John Gibson to Hannah (Emancipation)

Gibson to N. Hannah Deed of Emancipation
PWCo Deed Book Z, pg. 149
Recorded 8 August 1797

Know all men by these Presents, that I John Gibson of the Town of Dumfries and Commonwealth of Virginia having promised when young entire freedom to Hannah a mulatto woman now of the age of nineteen or twenty years, and who has lived with Nancy McFlea from a child and is daughter of a negro woman named Lett and is of good health and of sound memory, I do therefore by these presents give, grant, relinquish and release unto the said Hannah her entire freedom and that she, and what increase she may have be from this date entirely released from all Bondage or Servitude of any kind to me, my heirs, Executors, Administrators or assigns, or to any person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of July Seventeen hundred and Ninety Seven

John Gibson {seal}

Signed & sealed in the presence of  ----

At a Court continued and held for Prince Wm. County the 8th day of August 1797.

This Deed of freedom from John Gibson to Negro Hannah was acknowledged by the sd. Gibson, and ordered to be recorded. 

Teste    John Williams  Cl Cur.

Deed: Renunciation of Sarah Dye (1796)

Sarah Dye's Renunciation
PWCo Deed Book Z, pg. 1
Recorded 5 September 1796

To the Worshipfull Court of Prince William County. I do hereby declare that I will not take or accept the provision made for me by the will of my late husband Vincent Dye decd. or any part thereof & I do hereby renounce all benefit I might claim by the same Will.  Given under my hand & seal this 4th day of April 1796.

Sarah Dye [X her mark] {seal}

Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of

Amos Dye, Henry Chamberlin,
Wm. Montgomery, John Dye,
Francis Montgomery

At a Court held for Prince William County the 5th day of September 1796.

The within renunciation of Sarah Dye was proved by the oaths of Francis Montgomery & Amos Dye & ordered to be recorded.

Teste   John Williams   Cl. Court

Wedding Wednesday: Crumpacker-Early

The Sun (Baltimore, MD)
16 October 1902

CRUMPACKER-EARLY

[Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun]

Manassas, Va., Oct. 14 -- At the home of the bride (M G Early's), near Nokesvlle, this county, a pretty wedding took place Tuesday evening last. The parties were Prof E C Cumpacker, of Roanoke, Va., formerly of Maryland, and Miss Daisy Early, a student of the Prince William Academy, Brentsville, Va. The bride was attired in alluer gray, trimmed in white silk. Rev. I. R. Long, of Frederick, Md., officiated.

Newspaper Heraldry: Thomas Chapman

Richmond Times Dispatch (Va.)
28 December 1913

Thomas Chapman, of Prince William County, married Susanna Ewell, daughter Major Bertrand Ewell, of "Buck Hall," Prince William County, and his wife, Francis Kenner, probably of the family of Rodham Kenner. She was born in 1735 and died 1795, her husband having been dead ten years (Thomas died in 1785). Susanna was seventh of nineteen children. By the will of Thomas Chapman, dated March 11, 1785, and recorded in Prince William County, he left following children: Thomas Carr, Charles Thomas Carr, Jennie Carr and Charles Ewell. They married as follows: Thomas Carr--SarahThornton (issue, Susan); Charles Thomas (born 1775) married Margaret Sarah Gadsby.

Newspaper Tidbit: Letters to the Editor / Ebenezer Baptist Church (1932)

Manassas Journal (Va)
15 December 1932

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Young folks at Haymarket send their messages to Santa, and the Editor reprints a few.

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I try to be a good boy. I am seven years old. Will you please bring me a drum? I do not want much this Christmas. Give my love to Mrs. Santa.  ~ William Clem.

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be very good this year. I am seven year old. I want a bicycle and football if you can bring them. ~ Your little boy, John Sloper.

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be a good little girl. I hope you will bring me a doll baby. ~ Jean Schaeffer

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I try to be a good girl. I am seven years old. I hope you will bring me some toys. I want a book and a pair of gloves. That is all this time.  ~ Betty Thomas

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I go to Haymarket School. I am in the second grade. Please bring me a bicycle. This is all I want this Christmas. Give my love to Mrs. Santa. ~ Your little boy, Shirley Jacobs

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I tried to be a good girl. I am nine years old. I go to Haymarket School. I would like to have a doll baby and a set of dishes this Christmas.  ~ Maria King

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be a good girl. I am seven years old. Please bring me a doll and some dishes.  ~ Anne Lightner

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have been a good boy, so please bring me a bow and arrow. I am seven years old. That is all I want this time. Good by, dear Santa Claus.  ~ John. T. Carter, Jr.

~~~~~~~~~     ~~~~~~~~~    ~~~~~~~~~

The Manassas Journal,
Manassas, Va.
Sirs!

     Allow me to thank our white friends for the help they so beautifully gave to Ebenezer Baptist church, Occoquan, Va. From the appeal you published in your paper over four years ago. Am glad to say the A.B.P. Soc. sent us 25 copies of the New Testament and 25 hymn books, and other literature.
     The Lend a Hand Society of Boston, Mass., sent two boxes of books. These have been distributed among four Sunday schools.
     It is my desire to thank the friends of Occoquan, Va., Brentsville, Va., Manassas, Va., Conklin, Loudoun Co., Va., Dist. Work House, Reformatory and Alexandria, Va.
     Trusting all may have a very Merry Christmas and Most Prosperous New Year.
     The church hasn't been finished. The insurance is $2,500.
     My sight having failed, I retire from pastoral work after 63 years and 8 months of services. I pray God's blessing upon all and ask the prayers of all friends.

Yours most sincerely,

L. H. BAILEY,
Ex-Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Occoquan, Va.

Will: Mary C. Gallagher

Will of Mary C. Gallagher
PWCo Will Book N, pg. 259
Proved: 7 June 1830

I Mary C. Gallagher of Providence Farm, County of Prince William, Virginia, being of sound mind but a low state of health, do hereby make this my last will and testament.

To my sister Margaret S. B. Gallagher I leave the whole of my interest in my brother Williams estate, and my interest in my fathers estate, I leave to be equally divided between my three sisters Ann Gallagher, Margaret S. B. Gallagher, and Julia F. Gallagher. 

I leave to my dear Nephew Bernard H. Peyton a gold watch with a handsome seal and key, and to my niece Ann Eliza Peyton a mourning breast pin with her mother's hair and mine set in it.

Those articles I desire my sister Margaret to purchase for them when Bernard H. Peyton shall arrive at the age of eighteen, out of the funds which I leave her. I leave my sister Ann Gallagher executrix of this my last will and testament and desire that the Court shall not require security of her for the performance of this trust. 

In Witness whereof I set my hand and seal this 31st day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty nine.

Mary C. Gallagher {seal}

Sally Linton
Sally B. Campbell
Margaret Gallagher

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County the 7th day of June 1830

This last will and testament of Mary C. Gallagher decd. was presented to the Court by Ann Gallagher her Executrix therein named, and being proved by the Oaths of Sally Linton & Margaret Gallagher is ordered to be recorded, and the said Ann Gallagher having taken the oath of an Executrix and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $2000 Certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, the Court dispensing with security according to the desire of the Testator, it appearing that she died possessed of visible property more than sufficient to pay her debts.

Teste,  P. D. Dawe   Ct. Cur.

In Chancery: Notice of Deposition: McNair/Lipsicomb (1867)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
18 March 1867

TO CLARA McNAIR AND HER HUSBAND, name unknown, Stephen McNair, Fred. McNair, Henry McNair, Robt. McNair, Dolph McNair, Geo. W. Brent, and Francis J. Cannon, Sheriff of Prince William Co., Committee Administrator of John McNair, deceased,

Take notice, that I shall, on the 15th day of April, 1867, at the law office of Aylett Nicol, in the town of Brentsville, Prince William Co., Va., between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., of that day, proceed to take the depositions of WM. E. LIPSICOMB and others, to be read as evidence in my behalf. in a certain suit in equity, depending in the Circuit Court for the said county of Prince William, wherein I am plaintiff and you are defendants; and if from any cause the taking of the said depositions be not commenced on that day, or if commenced be not concluded on that day, the taking of the same will be adjourned and continued from day to day, or from time to time, at the same place and between the same hours, until the same shall be completed.

FRANCIS A. T. DAVIS

Prince William Co., Va., Mar. 12--law4w

Sunday's Obituary: James H. Weedon

Baltimore Sun (Md)
31 December 1901

JAMES H. WEEDON

A special dispatch to the Sun from Washington last night

James H. Weedon, who was prominent in business circles in Baltimore until the Civil War, died today of acute Bright's diseases at the Providence Hospital in his seventy-ninth year. Born in Prince William county, Virginia, he went to Baltimore at an early age. Immediately before and during the war he was prominently identified with the wholesale dry goods business of Baltimore and a member of the firm of Hamilton Easter & Co.  His sympathies were with the South. With other members of the firm he was arrested, charged with selling goods declared to be contraband of war and was confined in the old capitol prison in the city for a while, afterward being sent to Albany, NY for a term of 21 days. He was pardoned by President Lincoln.

After the war he embarked in the manufacture of matches, and was prospering in Baltimore, shipping large consignments to the South, when his entire plant was confiscated by order of the Federal authorities. For 23 years he had been in business in Washington, most of the time in the sale of dry goods.

At the time of his death he was employed by the Great Falls Ice Company. He was married in 1857 to Miss Frances Eleanor Giddings of Frederick county, Maryland. He is survived by T. A. Weedon, engaged in insurance in Baltimore; another son and two daughters in this city, Mr. Edwin Nelson of Manassas, Va., a brother and two sisters, Mrs. Martha Chapman, of Roanoke, Va. and Ms. Mary J. Wroe, of Springfield, S.C. Mr. Weedon was an uncle of W. J. Chapman a coal merchant, 2306 Eutaw Place, Baltimore, and John C. Wroe, of the Brown Warehouse Company, 1127 Bolten street, in the same city.

PWCo Items: March 1874

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
7 March 1874

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

At a meeting of the Trustees of the County School Board, held in Brentsville on Monday, the following preamble and resolution were adopted: Whereas it appears George C. Round, esq., the delegate from this county, has presented a bill in the Legislature, having for its object the election of the School Trustees by the people*, and whereas such legislation would at the present time be, in the opinion of this Board, destructive to public school interests, and this Board, actuated by a regard for the welfare of this county and the cause of education, and uninfluenced by any formal consideration, protesting against such action as it conceives such to be their duty, is ready at any time to relinquish its power, so soon as other suitable and more efficient officers may be selected. Be it therefore resolved that the course of Geo. C. Round., esq., in presenting the above bill and urging its passage is in direct opposition to the views of the School Trustees of this county.

The March term of the County Court met on Monday, and was very well attended by persons from different parts of the county. The sale of the plate and jewelry of the late Mrs. F. B. Gibson attracted a large crowd of persons, and the bidding was lively. In the case of J.C. Branough against Craven J. King, for unlawful detainer, the jury failed to agree, standing nine for plaintiff and three for defendent; so the case was continued. Ferdinand A. Weedon was appointed and qualified as constable to fill a vacancy in Manassas Township. Mrs. Mary Newman qualified as executrix of Levi H. Newman, deceased; bond $2,000. The court ordered that the road commissioners of Brentsville and Coles Townships examine the bridge across Cedar Run and report what repairs are needed.

The bondsmen for the County Treasurer, and each of the township collectors, went before Judge Nicol on Friday last and concented to remain on the bonds of the above named offices for the time extended by act of the Legislature.

The Manassas Lodge of Good Templars, which had suspended its meetings for more than a year, has now assumed active operations, and has initiated nine new members in the last week.

*According to Wikipedia article on George Round, "1874...although (or because) Round proposed legislation to establish teacher training colleges across Virginia, he was not re-elected."

Friend of Friends Friday: Committed to Jail (Ned) (1832)

Richmond Enquirer (Va.)
20 December 1832

NOTICE.

Was committed to the jail of Prince William county, Virginia, on the 8th day of June last, a negro Man (a runaway) by the name of Ned: he is about six feet high, yellow complexion, between forty-five and fifty years of age; he is well known in this neighborhood; he formerly belonged to a Mr. Cooper of this county; about six years back he was sold to a trader, and was taken to the State of Louisiana (as the negro states) and from thence he was taken to Havana, and there set at liberty; he has no papers of emancipation. The owner is requested to come forward with proper authentications, and get his property; otherwise, he will be dealt with according to law.

BASIL BRAWNER, Jailor.

August 24.  31-w3m

Newspaper Tidbit: Interesting Relics (1894)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
11 December 1894

INTERESTING RELICS.

Mr. Luther Merchant, who lives in Dumfries, has in  his possession quite a collection of interesting relics. Among them are three keys, a spoon and a silver coin. In the long ago Dumfries was a place of importance, but it is now a very quiet little village with nothing much to boast of except its former glory. The history of some of the relics which Mr. Merchant has shows that it has been a place of importance. One of the keys belonged to the court house when Dumfries was the county seat. The other two belonged to a bank and a hotel which once flourished there but which passed out of existence long since. There is inscribed on the spoon the date 1766, and on the coin the date 1713.  

~ Manassas Gazette

Newspaper Heraldry: Botts

Washington Herald (DC)
23 December 1906

[responses to previous inquiries]

20. BOTTS. -- The Hon. John Minor Botts, of Culpeper County, Va., was born in Dumfries, Prince William County, Va., Sept. 16, ,1802; married Mary Whiting Blair, daughter of Archibald Blair, and died Jan. 8, 1869. He was a son of Benjamin Botts, an eminent lawyer of Richmond, Va. who, with his wife Jane Tyler, of Dumfries, perished at the burning of the Richmond Theater, Dec. 26, 1811. This Benjamin was a son of Thomas Botts, who probably lived in the vicinity of Richmond.

Friend of Friends Friday: Commissioner's Sale of Slaves (1849)

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
16 November 1849

COMMISSIONER'S SALE OF SLAVES

By virtue of a decree of the County Court of Prince William County, pronounced on the 6th day of Nov. 1849, in the case of Dodson and wife, vs. Lewis and others, the undersigned Commissioner therein named, will sell at public auction, at Groveton, in Prince William County, on Saturday, the 24th instant, if fair, if not the next fair day, (Sunday excepted) the Slaves belonging to the estate of Francis M. Lewis, dec'd. consisting of Women, Boys and Girls, upon a credit of nine months; the purchaser to give bond and security; bearing interest from date; the interest to be remitted if the principal s punctually paid.

WILLIAM H. DOGAN, Comm'r.

Prince William County, nov 9 - eots

Will: Sarah Tasker (1846)

Will of Sarah Tasker
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 254

I Sarah Tasker will to George Cornwell my colt and plow & gear and sheep for his servises rendered to me in my sickness; and I also leave my servant Clany free and I do not wish [__] my children to try to enslave her as you know that I never intended that she was to serve anyone one.

Sarah [X her mark] Tasker

Ann E. Grimes
Mary Cornwell
James G. [X his mark] Grimes

In Prince William County Court, April 6, 1846.

This last will and testament of Sarah Tasker deceased, was proved by the oaths of Ann E. Grimes & Mary Cornwell, witnesses thereto, & ordered to be recorded.

Teste.  J. Williams  C.C.

Newspaper Tidbit: Colchester Marker Will Be Unveiled

Evening Star (DC)
24 September 1931

COLCHESTER MARKER WILL BE UNVEILED

Prince William Host to State Officials at Site of First Court House Friday

Special Dispatch to the Star

WOODBRIDGE., Va., September 24 -- Prince William County citizens will play host on Friday to State and county officials as well as several thousand visitors who will journey to old Colchester, now Woodbridge, about 25 miles south of Washington on the Richmond-Fredericksburg Highway, to witness the unveiling of  monument and marker on the site of the first court house erected in the county and used for the first time in 1731. The marker is the gift of Wade Hampton Ellis, master of old Rippon Lodge, who has just returned from Paris to take part in the exercises. The ceremonial will be part of the Bicentennial celebration of the founding of Prince William County and, following the unveiling of the marker, there will be an all-day picnic.

The festivities will begin at 10 o'clock in the morning with a concert by the Marine Band of Quantico, followed by tableaux and pageants participated in by the school children of the county depicting early Colonial historic events in the county, under the direction of Miss Beatrix Clark, rural school supervisor. Addresses will be made by Wade H. Ellis, the donor of the marker; the acceptance address will be made by J. Lindsay Dawson, chairman of the board of supervisors, while brief addresses will be made by Senator Claude Swanson, Representative Howard W. Smith, former Representative R. Walton Moore, C. C. Carlin and Charles C. Callahan. Hawes Thornton Davies of Manassas will preside at the formal exercises, while committees from the various women's organizations of the county will have charge of the picnic feature.

Newspaper Tidbit: Manassas Items (1914)

Richmond Times (Va.)
11 January 1914

MANASSAS
[Special to The Times-Dispatch]

Manassas, Va. January 10 -- Miss Florence Lion returned on Tuesday from Pittsburgh where she has been the guest of Mrs. Will Hall.

Misses Amelia and Daisy Hill Brown are the guests of friends at Charlestown, W. Va.

The Manassas German Club will hold an important meeting next week, and officers for the coming year will be elected. Arrangements will be made for the number of germans to be given this year. The club has increased greatly in membership, and has had an excellent year financially.

The Misses Lillian and Alice Brand entertained friends at 509 at their home in Manassas Saturday evening.

Miss Dorothy Johnson was the weekend guest of Mr. and Mrs. R. Weir Waters at their home in Culpeper.

Miss Thedia Waters of Washington was a guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Lipscomb on Sunday.

Eastern College began its winter term on Wednesday with an increased enrollment. The first chapel exercises were held on Wednesday.

Mrs. R. S. Hynson returned Monday from Upperville, where she has been the guest of her sister, Mrs. James Kincheloe.

On Thursday evening the local medical profession was entertained at a stag dinner given by Dr. B. F. Iden at his home in Manassas. The guests were Drs. W. A. Newman, R. E. Wine, J. C. Meredith, J. Marye Lewis, W. F. Dowell and Surgeon John Hooe Iden of Annapolis. During the evening the physicians organized a temporary organization to be known as the Medical Society of Prince William County, which will be permanent at the next meeting on Friday night, January 16. Officers were elected temporarily, they being Dr. B. F. Iden, president, and Dr. J. M. Lewis, secretary. The membership at present consists of the local medical profession, but after the organization is made permanent all physicians of Prince William County will be asked to join.

Richard Kelly, of Marshall, spent Sunday with friends here on his way to Marshall.

Mr. and Mrs. Silas Lillard, who have been the guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Merchant, have returned to their home in Danville.

Misses Anna Merchant and Miss Bessie Merchant are the guests of friends and relatives in Washington.

Miss Helen Burtless has returned to her home in Roanoke after visiting Miss Francis Spies.