Friday, December 30, 2022

Newspaper Tidbit: Sing Christmas Carols

Manassas Democrat
30 December 1909

SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS

An artistic success in every particular was the Christmas carol service by members of Trinity Episcopal Sunday school at the church on Christmas morning. Those who braved the storm to attend were more than repaid by the splendid rendition. The church was beautifully decorated with holly, running cedar and pine on a white background and with cut flowers.

In addition accompanying the carols, the choir sang "There Were Shepherds," by Millard. Miss Faith Chapman accompanist. Among those taking part in the service were Sophie, Ann and Gladys Delmas; Dorothy, Gertrude, Romaine and Burr Button; Mary Lee and Evelyn Chapman; Mattie and Thelma Nash; Elizabeth Lowe; Margaret Roop; Ethel, Comfort and Douglas Lion, Erwin Mather; Edith Lipscomb.



Thursday, December 29, 2022

Those Places Thursday: Ice Destroys Light Beacon

Evening Star
25 December 1914

ICE DESTROYS LIGHT BEACON

Mark at Entrance to Occoquan Creek is Swept Away

Ice sweeping out of Occoquan creek has carried away the light beacon marking the entrance to the waterway from the river, but it is stated that the lighthouse authorities will renew the light in the spring. The light just carried away was erected the latter part of the summer to replace the beacon carried away by drift ice last spring.

The lighthouse service tender Maple is reported in the river erecting the structure on which new beacon lights are to be placed at Glymont and White Stone point.

The appointment of Unaka B. Jennett, second officer of the lighthouse under Jessamine, to be the first officer of the tender Maple has recently been made by the lighthouse authorities. Mr. Jennett's appointment is made to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of E. J. Brittinham, who has retired from seafaring life and will make his home on the eastern shore of Maryland.



Sunday, December 11, 2022

Newspaper Tidbit: Many [Influenza] Cases in State

Richmond Times Dispatch (VA)
06 February 1920

MANY CASES IN STATE

Reports of cases which have been received by the State Health Commission, Dr. Ennion G. Williams, show the flu is prevalent throughout the State. The number of cases reported yesterday from the various larger cities show Roanoke, 205 new cases; Norfolk, 355 new cases and four deaths; Danville, forty-eight new case; Portsmouth, ninety-nine; Alexandria, seven; Charlottesville, forty-six; Newport News, 344 new cases and three deaths. The total number of deaths reported to the State Health Department from various parts of the State on Wednesday was twenty-five. Incomplete reports made it impossible to make up the record for yesterday until returns come in today. The United States Public Health Service reports 688 new cases for Virginia up to Wednesday of this week.

At the Dumfries convict camp in Prince William County, thirty out of the thirty-nine convicts are down with the influenza, according to a report received by Dr. Williams yesterday.



Wednesday, December 7, 2022

PWCo. Items: 03 December 1916

Evening Star (DC)
03 December 1916

MANASSAS, VA.

A company of local talent will present "The False Witness," a drama in five acts, Friday evening in Conner's Opera House for the benefit of the Ruffner-Carnegie Public Library. The participants include Miss Mary Beverley Leachman, Miss Mary Henrietta Lipscomb, Mrs. D. M. Pitts, Mrs, J. L. Eliot, Frank S. Davidson, F. Hunton Cox, D. R. Lewis, Martin D. Lynch, W. Carroll Rice and Albert A. May.

Bishop C. J. Kephart of Kansas City, Mo., was the recent guest of his niece, Mrs. Hervin U. Roop, wife of Dr. Roop of Eastern College. Bishop Kephart during his stay addressed the members of the college Christian associations.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Merchant of Richmond have been the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Camper. Mrs. James E. Herrell, Mrs. Francis Norvell Larkin and little Miss Frances Larkin have returned from a visit to Asheville, N.C.  Arthur Crewe of Canton, Pa., is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Crewe of Thoroughfare. J. J. McGlone, who recently visited his sister, Mrs. Thomas S. Meredith, is spending some time in England.  Mr. and Mrs. Charles Amos, who have been residents of Manassas for a number of years, have left to make their home in Rosemont, Alexandria.

Monday, December 5, 2022

Will: Martha E. Peyton (1831)

Will of Martha E. Peyton
PWCo. Will Book N, pg. 383
Dated: 30 June 1831; Proved: 3 October 1831

I Martha E. Peyton of Prince William County Va. do make and ordain this my last will and testament, herby revoking all other wills heretofore made by me. 

First, It is my will and desire that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as possible (my debts few and of small amount) to be paid out of any money I may leave, or bonds due or to become due to me, and from the sale of what little stock I may leave, and household and kitchen furniture; and should there not be enough to discharge the just claims against me, I then direct and do hereby request my Executor hereinafter named mentioned, to hire out my negroes for one year, or longer if necessary, and apply the proceeds thereof to the payment of my debts until they are all paid.

Secondly, I do hereby will and direct that after my debts are paid in the manner aforesaid, that all my negroes, without exception, shall be emancipated and have their freedom, they having served me during my life, and as I am unwilling for them to be kept in slavery or owned by any person after my death.

Lastly, I do hereby appoint, constitute and ordain my friend Jesse Ewell Junr. Executor of this my last will. 

In Witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 30th day of June in the year of our Lord 1831.

Martha E. Peyton {seal}

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us
Jesse Ewell Jr.
Charlotte Ewell

At a Court held for Prince William County the 3d day of October 1831.

This last will and testament of Martha E. Peyton decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the Oaths of Jesse Ewell Jr. & Charlotte Ewell is admitted to record and Jesse Ewell Jr. the Executor therein named here in Court renounced the burthen of the Executor thereof. 

And at a Court held for said County the 2d. day of January 1832. 

On the motion of John W. Tyler, it is ordered that Jesse Ewell Sheriff of this county do take into his possession the Estate of Martha E. Peyton decd. & administer the same according to law with the Will annexed, it appearing that she has been decd upward of three months & no person having applied for administration on her Estate.

Teste, P. D. Dawe  Ct. Cur.



Friday, December 2, 2022

Friend of Friends Friday: Shedrick (1947)

The following notice comes nearly six months after the original advertisement was published in December 1846.  Shedrick has managed to elude the "subscriber" and the reward for his apprehension has risen from $25 to $150.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
06 May 1847

$150 REWARD!

Left Mr. Thomas Shaw's (where he was hired) in Prince William County, Va., on the 16th of September, 1846, my negro man SHEDRICK. He is about twenty-two years old, five feet ten inches high, and robust, of a dark copper colour, full suit of hair, frequently plaited, down-cast look when spoken to, fond of Tobacco, has a flesh mole on the left breast, I think, about the size of the end of one's finger He had on when he left a white wool hat, drab frock coat, all wool. When last heard from he was near Centreville, Fairfax County, Va., on the road leading to Alexandria, and going that way, where he may be at present, or perhaps is engaged in fishing somewhere on the Potomac river.  I will give $150 for the delivery to me of said negro, at my residence, near Tackett's Mills, Stafford county, Va., or secured in jail so that I get him again.  

DAVID HANSBROUGH
Agent for Lydia McInteer

Stafford County, Va., ap 17-2a3w