Sunday's Obituary: L. F. Thompson

Belington Progressive (W.Va)
26 April 1923

OLDEST B. & O. VETERAN DIES

Parkersburg, W. Va., April 22 -- The acknowledged oldest living former employee of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, the first railroad in the United States, died here tonight in his hundreth year. He is L. F. Thompson, who would have rounded out a century if he had survived until next fall. He was born in Prince William county, Virginia, September 22, 1823 and had been a resident of Parkersburg since 1862. After many years' service he was long ago placed on the retired list by the railroad, and only a few months ago was given a medal by the company and publicaly proclaimed its veteran of veterans. Mrs. C. A. Swenfingen of the city is a daughter. Homer P. Thompson of Cincinnati, Ohio, and George Thompson of Findlay, Ohio, are his sons.

Thompson had been employed by the Baltimore & Ohio for forty-five years and had been on pension fifteen years. At the time of his retirement he was passenger conductor between Parkersburg and Grafton.

Church Record Sunday: Special Easter Program (1923)

Manassas Journal
30 March 1923

SPECIAL EASTER PROGRAM

Rev. J. M. Taylor, of Manassas Baptist Church, to Make Address

(Superintendent)

Bristow Sunday School is preparing for a special Easter program for Sunday, April 1.

The children are planning a series of recitations and readings. The Rev. J. Murray Taylor, pastor of the Baptist Church in Manassas, will deliver an Easter address. Misses Margaret and Catherine Taylor will give some special music.

An Easter offering will be taken for the benefit of the Children's Home Society of Virginia.

All, regardless of church affiliation, are invited to attend the services. Now that winter is over and the bright spring days are here it is hoped that all who are convenient to the church will come out and help make Bristow Sunday School one of the best in the county.

Service at three o'clock in the afternoon.

100 Years Ago Today: Candidate Cards

Manassas Journal
06 April 1923

CANDIDATES' CARDS

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For Commissioner of Revenue

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William  County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of Commissioner of the Revenue, District No. 1, of Prince William county, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923. If elected, I promise to discharge faithfully the duties of the office. I feel sure I can render more efficient service in the coming than in the preceding term, as my past experience will mean a great deal to the people of the county.

Respectfully yours, R. M. WEIR
45-te

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For Commissioner of the Revenue

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Commissioner of the Revenue, District No. 1, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

BAILY TYLER
45-e

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For Supervisor

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Supervisor of Gainesville District, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

ROLFE ROBERTSON
45-te

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For Supervisor

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Supervisor of Gainesville District, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

R. A. RUST

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For Sheriff

I hereby announce myself a candidate for re-election to the office of sheriff of Prince William county, subject to the democratic primary. If elected, I shall retain my present deputy.

CHAS. A. BARBEE

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For Sheriff

At the solicitation of my friends, I announce myself a candidate for the office of sheriff of Prince William county, subject to the democratic primary to be held in August, and hereby make an appeal for your support. If elected to the important office, I will give it my undivided attention.

Respectfully, BERNARD C. SMITH

Will: Elizabeth F. Cannon (1845)

Will of Elizabeth F. Cannon
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 165
Dated 28 May 1829; Proved 3 March 1845

I, Elizabeth F. Cannon, of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia, do make this my last will and testament in manner & form following, that is to say:

I give and bequeath unto my brother John P. Cannon one  half of the whole of my estate of every nature, kind and description whatsoever, including all money on hand and all debts due & which may be due unto me; also all my right title and interest in and to the undivided part of my father's estate, lately held in right of dower by my now deceased mother to be held and enjoyed by him my said brother, and by his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my said brother Jno P. Cannon the other remaining half of all my estate, as above described, to be held by  him in trust, for the sole benefit and behoof of my sister Sarah E. Phillips, and to be managed and disposed of by him, in such manner as she my said sister may from time to time by writing duely authenticated, or by her last will and testament direct or appoint, notwithstanding her coverture, to the intent that the same may not be subject to the control, debts, forfeiture, or engagements of her husband William F. Phillips, and in default of such direction, or appointment by will it is my will and intent that the same shall descend to and be enjoyed by my said brother Jno. P. Cannon and by his heirs forever. 

But nevertheless, should my said sister Sarah E. Phillips survive her husband William F. Phillips, then and in that case, it is my will and intent that the above trust vested in my said brother shall cease and all right and title in and to the estate therein described be as firmly vested in her as though her husband were dead at the time of this bequest, and said estate had been directly bequeathed to her.

Lastly, I constitute and appoint my brother Jno. P. Cannon, sole executor of this my last will and testament, requiring no security of him, either as trustee or executor, hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments, by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof, I have set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty eight day of May in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine.

Elizabeth F. Cannon {seal}

Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Elizabeth F. Cannon (with the word, "by will" injected over the twenty ninth line) in presence of us

Ann Sowden
John Sowden
May P. Cannon

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince Wm. County, March 3, 1845

This last will & testament of Elizabeth F. Cannon dec'd was presented to the Court & being proved by the oath of John Sowden & May P. Cannon, subscribing witnesses thereto, was ordered to be recorded; and on the motion of John P. Cannon, the executor named therein, who made oath thereto & entered into & acknowledged a bond without security (according to the request of the Testatrix) in the penalty of $7000 (the Court being of opinion that she has left property more than sufficient to pay her debts) certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.

Teste, J. Williams  c.c.

[William F. Phillips and Sarah Edith Cannon were married on 14 May 1817 in Prince William County.  Evidently, Sarah's sister Elizabeth was not a fan of the union.  ~cgl]

Sunday's Obituary: Donald Lee Wilson

I think it is safe to say that all PWCo history and genealogy roads eventually lead to Don Wilson, RELIC's Virginiana Historian and long-time employee.  Don was more than just knowledgeable; he was passionate about historical research and sharing that knowledge and expertise with others. He was up to any challenge, no matter how daunting it might seem, and was instrumental in solving many a RELIC patron's brick walls.  Including my own. His passing marks the loss of a historical treasure and he will be greatly missed.   ~Carolyn

Donald (Don) L. Wilson, 79, of Manassas, Virginia, passed away on March 6th, 2023.

Don was born on August 5th, 1943, in Anderson, Indiana. After high school, he spent four years in the Air Force and then attended and graduated from Ball State University in 1968 with a Bachelor's in history. Directly after, he attended and earned a Master's in Library Sciences from Indiana University in 1971. In late 1970 he took a job as reference librarian at the Oxon Hill Library in Prince George's County, Maryland. In September 1979, he accepted a position with Prince William County in Virginia and started working at the Central Library in Manassas.

Don spent the rest of his life devoted to local and family history in the Northern Virginia area while working on his own family’s extensive genealogy, which he documented in spiral notebooks and cue cards written with small, but perfect penmanship.

Don was the hallmark of The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center (RELIC), at Bull Run Library and later Central Library of the Prince William Public Libraries, where he was known as the “Tree Doctor” for his extensive knowledge, experience, and patience with helping visitors build their family trees. He was also instrumental in providing research on old houses, cemeteries, events, roads, and local families. He was always up for a new and exciting research project that so many people benefited from.

Don was involved with or served on the board of several local historical groups, including the Manassas Museum Historic Resources Board; Historic Prince William (Historical Society); and the Prince William County Historic Commission. He also had a fondness for local theaters, including the Prince William Little Theatre, where he played roles in a number of their productions.

Don was preceded in death by both of his parents Cecil Lee Wilson, Jr. and Betty Eloise Wilson (Bailey) and a younger brother, Timothy Wayne Wilson. He is survived by his brothers, James Edward Wilson and Steven Ray Wilson; sisters, Susan Jane Sanderson, Patricia Ann Sexton, and Christine Diane Buckles; and several nieces and nephews.

Don touched the lives of many people, far and wide, but the residents of Prince William County had the honor of him calling this county home for over four decades while offering knowledge and friendship to all. There will never be another Don Wilson but we should all strive to be like him.

Shopping Saturday: Larkin-Dorrell Co., Inc.

Manassas Journal
23 March 1923

ANNOUNCEMENT

Having made an addition to our business by the purchase of the Mill and Feed Business of C. M. Larkin & Co., we take this opportunity to inform our patrons and the public that we are now in a position to serve them better than ever before.

We hold that only by looking after the interests of our trade in the matter of prices as well as in service and the quality of goods sold, can mutual confidence be maintained and our trading remain upon a secure foundation.

Many of our customers can testify that they have saved money, acting upon our advice in "buying ahead" when we deemed the market outlook favorable and satisfactory. Our fingers are constantly on the pulse of the market and we will be glad to give you the benefit of any foreknowledge obtainable. Our motto is SERVICE--Let us serve you.

Larkin-Dorrell Co., Inc.

Manassas, Va