Sunday's Obituary: Mrs. M.M. Russell (Jeannette Keys)

Manassas Journal
January 4, 1924

DEATH OF MRS. RUSSELL

Aged Independent Hill Resident Buried New Year's Day

Mrs. M. M. Russell died on Sunday at her home near Independent Hill. She had been ill about seven months and for three weeks had been in a critical condition. She was in her eightieth year.

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday at Oak Grove cemetery by Elder W.M. Smoot, of Occoquan, who took his text from the eleventh chapter of John. The pallbearers were Messrs. Andrew Kincheloe, Eli Kincheloe, Bence Cole, Charles A. Barbee, Thomas Holman and Robert Cornwell.

Mrs. Russell, who before marriage was Miss Jeannette Keys, was born December 8, 1844, at Occoquan. At the age of eleven she moved with her parents to their place near Nelson's mill. She was married to Mr. Russell, December 22, 1878, and up to the time of her death made her home within two miles of Independent Hill.

She is survived by  her husband and by three sons and a daughter, Messrs. Thomas M. and James M. Russell, of Canova; Mr. G. Cleveland Russell, of Agnesville,. and Mrs. Ruth Russell, of Minnieville. She also leaves ten grandchildren, one little grandchild (Walton, baby son of her granddaughter, Mrs. Max Weber), two sisters, Mrs. Sophie Abel, of Quantico, and Mrs. Nellie Posey, of Hoadly, and two brothers, Mr. Jack Keys, of Dumfries, and Mr. Evandon Keys, of Joplin.

Wedding Wednesday: Gray-Groves / Jones-Carney / Davis-Abel

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
1 January 1866

MARRIED

On the 24th ultimo, by Elder John Clark, Mr. WM H. GRAY and Mrs. MARGARET ANN GROVES, both of Prince William Co.

Also, on the 26th, by the same, SHIRLEY JONES, and Miss MARTHA CARNEY, both of Prince William co.

Also, on the 28th, by the same, JOHN L. DAVIS, esq., and Miss SOPHIA ABEL, both of Prince William co.

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.

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.

Sunday's Obituary William Abel

Baltimore American (Baltimore, MD)
9 August 1905

WILLIAM ABELL
[Special to the American]

La Plata, Md., August 8 -- William Abell, of Charles county, died on Saturday, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He had been in failing health for some time.  Mr. Abell was originally from Prince William county, Va. He served as a private soldier in the Confederate Army. At the close of the war he came to Charles county, where he had since resided. He married Miss Mary Speake, a sister of Capt. John A. Speake. He leaves six children, his wife having died about 11 years ago. The pallbearers were John W. Lyon, Henry Delozier, Alex Haislip, N. R. Simmons, James A. Franklin, Rufus Davis, John W. Jenkins and George M. Carpenter.

Newspaper Tidbit: Letter from PWCo (1869)

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)
5 March 1869

Letter from Prince William Co.
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

Our County Court has been in session for the pat three days, ending yesterday evening. The following cases were adjudicated, and general business transacted: --

   An indictment for unlawful trespass on the promises of Mrs. M. F. Holland, was found by the grand jury against Daniel Whaling.
   Atkinson vs. Patterson, unlawful detainer, verdict for plaintiff.
   Knox vs. Carter's adm'r. Pleas waived and judgment for plaintiff.
   White, surviving, vs. the same. Plea waived and judgment for plaintiff.
   T. A. Brewis & Co. vs. E. J. T. Clarke. - Debt-verdict for plaintiff, with war interest abated.
   Able vs. Able's adm'r. Debt-verdict for plaintiff, with war interest abated.
   Johnson, surviving, vs. McLean. Debt-judgment for plaintiff.
   Thomas vs. Howison. Debt-verdict for plaintiff.
   Jacobs vs. Thomas. Trover-verdict for defendant.
   John T. Leachman qualified as executor of the last will and testament of the late Elder R. C. Leachman.
   James E. Williams qualified as administrator of John Williams, deceased.
   Sarah Donohoe qualified as administratrix of George Donohoe, deceased.
   Harvey Hyde having satisfied the Court that he is an ordained minister, and in regular communion with the Congregational church, was authorized to celebrate the rites of matrimony.
   George W. Mitchell, a late appointee of General Stoneman's, qualified as Commissioner of the Revenue for Prince William county.
   Ten deeds were admitted to record, and one marriage license issued during the session of Court.

From the pugilistic demonstrations made by several parties on the first day of Court, and their manifest desire to break the peace, if not each other's bones, it is evident that Prince William's vervor is not abated by the "situation" here, and that she is still, in one sense, on an active "war footing."

It is supposed that before the next term of our Court, the removals of officers in the county will have been generally made, and the new appointees will be here to qualify and enter on the duties of their respective stations.

William Smith, stabbed recently by Mr. Reuben Reid, which I reported at the time, has recovered. Mr. Reid is not yet under arrest and it is hoped that the affair, occuring as it did between near neighbors, may be amicably adjusted.

TYRONE
Brentsville, Va., March 4, 1869

New Materials Online: Kopp, Virginia by Raymond W. Woolfenden, Sr.

KOPP, VIRGINIA by Raymond W. Woolfenden, Sr.

"Kopp, Virginia", a book regarding the "lost" community of Kopp, Virginia, was formerly only available in a limited-edition printed form, including a copy residing at RELIC (Bull Run Library). The book was started by Raymond W. ("Cousin Ray") Woolfenden, Sr. and completed by his daughter, Casmere Woolfenden Kistner, with a number of people providing source materials.

With many thanks to the Woolfenden family, a digital copy is now free and available online under RELIC's digital archives!

Kopp, Virginia disappeared in the early 1940's when the Federal Government took the land via eminent domain and displaced the families to create Quantico Marine Base. Some of the families that lost their land include Abel, Arrington, Cole, Copen, Davis, Holmes, Keys, Lowe, Lynn, Suthard, Wood, and Woolfenden.

Deed: Able to Milstead (Raccoon Hill) (1834)

Deed:  Able to Milstead

PWCo DB 13, pg 369

4 March 1834

This Indenture made this 4^th day of March 1834 between Thomas Able and Francis his wife of the one part of the County of Fauquier & State of Virginia and Henry Milstead of the county of Prince William & State of Virginia of the other part.  Witnesseth that the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife for and in consideration of the sum of Sixty dollars to them by the said Henry Milstead in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained, granted, sold & conveyed and by these presents do bargain grant sell & convey unto the said Henry Milstead, his heirs and assigns a lot of land containing thirty nine & half acres a part of Racoon Hill farm near the Town of Dumfries to have & to hold the said lot of land with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said Henry Milstead his heirs & assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said Henry Milstead his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife for themselves their heris executor & administrator do hereby covenant and agree to and with the Henry Milstead his heirs & assigns that the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife & their heirs that the said lot of ground with its appurtenances unto him the said Henry Milstead his heirs & assigns against against [sic] them the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife and their heirs and against all persons whomsoever shall & will by these presents forever warrant & defend. In witness whereof the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day & year above written.

Thomas {his mark} Able {seal}

Francis {her mark} Able {seal}

Prince William County to wit:

     We John W. Williams & Jesse E. Weems justices of the peace in the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Thomas Able party to the above deed bearing date on the 4^th day of March 1834 personally appeared before us in our county aforesaid & acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify the said acknowledgement to the Clerk of the county court of Prince William in order that the said deed might be recorded. Given under our hand & seals this 4^th day of March 1834.

Jno. W. Williams {seal}

J. E. Weems {seal}

Prince William County to wit:

     We John W. Williams & Jesse E. Weems justices of the peace in the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Francis Able parties to a certain deed bearing date the 4^th day of March 1834 personally appeared before us in our county & being before us privately and apart from her husband having the deed aforesaid fully explained to her she the said Francis acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and declared that she had willingly signed, sealed & delivered the same and wished not to retract it. Given under our hand & seals this 4^th day of March 1834.

Jno. W. Williams {seal}

J. E. Weems {seal}

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County the 5 day of March 1834.

     This Indenture between Thomas Able and Francis his wife of the one part and Henry Milstead of the other part, with certificate annexed, was presented to the court, and ordered to be recorded.

Teste,

Jn. Williams

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Item: May 15, 1875

Alexandria Gazette
15 May 1875

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS.

Geo. W. Abel was seriously injured on Monday last by the falling of a blundering horse. He was on his way from Occoquan, where heh resides, and has been employed as ferryman, and when near Cedar Run bridge the horse he was riding fell, turning a complete summersault, throwing its rider over its head and falling upon him, the pummel of the saddle striking him in the pit of the stomach. The fall so stunned the horse that it laid on Mr. Able until it was pulled off but Mr. A. was up and walking about the next day.

On Thursday of last week as Mr. Joseph B. Reid was driving from Brentsville to Bristoe Station in his buggy, the horse coming in contact with the ox team of Mr. W. A. Ketcham, threw Mr. Reid out of the buggy, who, falling upon his head received very painful injuries. Mr. John H. Butler who was in the buggy with Mr. Reid jumped out as soon as the horse started, and was not hurt.

The attendance at the Circuit Cour was smaller than usual, though quite a large amount of business was done.  ~ Manassas Gazette

Friday's Faces from the Past: Woodbine Baptist Church

As Woodbine Church prepares to celebrate its 140th Anniversary, it seemed appropriate to post a photo of its congregation from the late 1930's.  The group is standing at the front door of the original 1875 one-room church building.

Many thanks to Miss Jane Abel, a long-time member of Woodbine's congregation (she's the little gal with the bow in the picture) for sharing her photo!

Miss Jane tried her best to remember the names of everyone in the picture but there are a few she was unable to identify.  Do you recognize any of the faces in this photo?

Woodbine Baptist Church Congregation (approx 1938)
Photo courtesy of Jane Abel (used with permission)

Front Row (left to right) - Little girl, Vernon Beavers, little girl, Bill Posey, Gloria Weber, Billy Zackey, Margie Cornwell, Penny (Hattie Warren's foster child)

Middle Row - Rev. Howard Caviness, Helen Beavers, Geneva Jones and baby, Minnie Posey and Bobby, woman with baby, Jane Abel (wearing the little bow), David Abel (little boy below), Lillian Abel and Frankie, Annie Zackey, unidentified man

Back Row - Louise Beavers Cornwell and Denny, Joyce Beavers Jones and son, woman with baby, Hattie Abel Warren and Betty Lou, woman with baby.

EVENT REMINDER:  

Pastor Gene Wells and the congregation of Woodbine Church invite the Community to celebrate their 140th Anniversary on Saturday, 23 May 2015, from Noon until Three.  The event is open to the public and admission is FREE!

Will: James Abell (1812)

JAMES ABELL Will

Prince William County Will Book K, pg. 178

14 May 1805; proved 07 Dec 1812

I JAMES ABELL of Prince William County and State of Virginia being at this time in perfect health and sound mind thanks be to the Allmighty for the same, do hereby make ordain and publish this my last will and testament expressly hereby revoking & disannuling all others heretofore made by me.  Item I give and bequeath to my daughter JANE the feather bed she now uses & all the furniture belonging to it a cow & calf also the weaving loom & tackle a deep pewter dish & half a dozen pewter plates.  Item I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY the feather bed she now uses with all the furniture belonging to the same also her choice of a cow & calf, a deep pewter dish and half a doz. Pewter plates also a horse by the name of Frederick, a womans saddle & bridle.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter CECELIA, WILLIAM COPIN’s wife a feather bed and furniture.  Item I give and bequeath to my son WILLIAM a feather bed and furniture.

Item I give & bequeath to my daughters JANE & MARY all the provisions which may be in the house at the time of my death as also all the grain of every kind in the house or a growing and all the stock which may be up a fattening at the time of my decease, and all the residue of my estate not allready disposed of after my just debts & funeral expenses are paid shall be divided amongst my children as follows, one fourth part shall be given to my daughter JANE, one other fourth part shall be given to my daughter MARY & the other two fourths shall be divided in three parts, and one third of said two fourths shall be given to my daughter ELIZABETH wife of JOHN SINCOCKS, one third of two fourths shall be given to CECELIA wife of WILLIAM COPIN, and the other third of two fourths shall be given to my son WILLIAM ABELL.  Lastly I constitute & appoint my good & worthy friend STEPHEN HOWISON whole & sole executor of this my last will & testament & as I am clear of debt I request that he be not obliged to give security upon his administration & my further will & desire is that my executor if he thinks proper may not sell my estate only to have it appraised & divided amongst my children – agreeable to the appraisement & in such proportions as I have before directed them to receive it & if any dispute as to choice in any of the property not specifically disposed of let them draw lotts.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fourteenth day of May eighteen hundred and five.

JAMES ABELL  {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of us

WM. BARNES

WILLIAM SMITH

THOMAS CHAPMAN

At a Court held for Prince William County Dec. 7^th 1812

This last will and testament of JAMES ABELL decd. was presented to the Court by STEPHEN HOWISON JUNR. and being proved by the oaths of WILLIAM BARNES and WILLIAM SMITH is ordered to be recorded.  And it appearing to the Court by the oath of WILLIAM ABELL that the STEPHEN HOWISON mentioned in the said will as Exor. was intended for STEPHEN HOWISON JUNR.  Therefore the said STEPHEN HOWISON JUNR. came into Court and having took the oath of an Executor certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.  The Court having dispensed with security it appearing by the last will and testament of said JAMES ABELL that his Executor should give none.

Teste, J. WILLIAIMS

Military Monday: PW Board Calls Married Men to Fill Draft Quota (1943)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)

01 March 1943

PRINCE WILLIAM BOARD CALLS MARRIED MEN TO FILL DRAFT QUOTA

Supply of Single Men Exhausted as 100 Face Induction This Month

 Manassas, Va., March 1 —The Prince William County Selective Service Board has exhausted its supply of single men and dipped into the list of married men without children to fill a March call for 100 selectees, the largest yet made in the county.

Seventy-two white men have been called for induction March 8. Twenty-eight are scheduled to go March 27.

C. C. Clove, chairman of the local board, said there are still enough single colored men to fill a March 23 call for 13.

The following white men have been notified to appear for induction March 8:

Malone, Harry R.	Di Filippo, Luneo C.
Halary, Vivian G.	Sowers, Glen L.
Wine, Charles H. Jr.	Street, Tolly R.
Thomas, Carroll B.	Clemen, Ray T.
Lewis, Rosier B.	Sloper, Daniel R.
Kline, James D.	Hoffman, Berkeley O.
Lettner, Clyde L.	Wells, John T.
Conner, Alvin E.	Ellis, James L.
Posey, Wayne E.	Bourne, Wallace S.
Lion, Paul E.	Phillips, Roy R.
Brown, William M.	Gladley, Charles V.
Blakemore, Frank L.	Cusick, Vincent M.
Berryman, Alfred	Sieger, G. E. Jr.
McLean, John T.	Hornbaker, Frank W.
Mills, Leon C.	Liming, Clinton W.
Weaver, Willard C.	Kincheloe, Jack E.
Crouch, Maurice	Rison, Russell C.
Harris, Ivan L.	Canham, Donald R.
Payne, Howard C.	Sowers, Lewis M.
Samsky, Andrew F.	Stanley, Amos
Cornwell, Charles R.	Bailey, Randolph H.
Papa, Frank	Upton, Thomas W.
Broaddus, J. T. Jr.	Dawson, Hugh L.
Crabill, Charles W.	Murphy, Jerry L.
Breeden, Jesse R.	Leonard, Nelson H.
Davis, Douglas C.	Breeden, James A.
Robinson, James H.	Worley, Lawrence D.
Woodyard, Aylette M.	Claybourne, D. W.
Dodson, Douglas O.	Funkhouser, L. H.
Mooney, Eugene L.	Florence, Paul W.
Jewell, Harvey L.	Randall, Frank W.
Lynn, William N.	Pitts, Carroll L.
Yancey, Cecil R.	Abel, David L.
Landes, Ernest C.	Dolan, Percy E.
Deihl, Saylor F.	Harper, Raymond L.
Coleman, L. C.	Abel, Osie N. Jr.

Colored men ordered to report to Richmond March 23 are:

Johnson, Louis E.	Tyler, Elmo R.
Jordan, Odie	Johnson, E. R.
Peters, J. M. Jr.	Hughes, Ernest L.
White, Earl L.	Johnson, James R.
Byrd, Weldon L.	Ray, George R.
[illegible]	Grigsby, William
Street, Carson

Wedding Wednesday: Marriage Licenses (Jones/Simpson, Atchison/Abel)

The Evening Star (Washington, DC)
December 22, 1904

Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses have been issued to the following:

Henry Molyneux Paget Howard, Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire, of England, and Marguerite Hyde Leiter of this city

James W. Bernhard and Mabel L. Raymond

John M. Turner and Belle Jones

Jesse H. Leath of Baltimore, Md., and Emma H. Denmead of West Point, Va

Charles E. Kessler and Ella Lambeth

J. J. Jones of Prince William county, Va., and Fannie Simpson of this city

Claude E. Smith and Margaret B. Osborne, both of Baltimore, Md

Joseph H. Coates and Gertrude Rollins

George Martin of this city and Virgie M. Hobson of Martinsville, Va.

Willie F. Abernathy and Mary A. Bourdon, both of Dinwiddie county, Va.

Lewis Galligher and Ada Walker

Harry E. Richmond and Jennie A. Hunt

William Scott and Mary Tolson

Howard L. Long and Lora E. Taylor, both of Caroline county, Va

George Ringgold and Helen E. Thompson

George H. Atchison of Stafford county, Va. and Nessie V. Abel of Prince William county, Va

Reason Ferguson and Lillian Inscoe, both of Fairfax county, Va

John Dowery and Sarah E. Howard

Orville C. Carpenter of Phelps, N.Y. and Rose Coleman of Napels, N.Y.

Military Monday: 19 Men to Camp Lee

Manassas Democrat
May 23, 1918

NINETEEN MEN GO TO CAMP LEE SATURDAY

Prince William Gives Again of Her Youth That Democracy May be Safe -- Four Go to Charlottesville

The largest contingent of Prince William county young men to answer the call to colors for several months will leave for training on Saturday, May 25.  Nineteen of them will go direct to Camp Lee for military training and four left today for Charlottesville where they will enter the University of Virginia as volunteers and where they will receive mechanical training for military service.

Those who will go to Camp Lee are:

Kemp Williams, Quantico
Joseph Posey, Dumfries
Reuben W. Abel, Joplin
Harvey Holmes, Catlett
Harvey Weeks, Manassas
Hobert F. Hampton, Hoadley
Howard A. Stevens, Quantico
Durward I. Payne, Manassas
Champ Lee Jones, Joplin
Charles Perry Hammill, Woodbridge
Cofer Fairfax, Hoadley
Paris Cockanides, Quantico
John Calvin Roles, Mount
Frank W. Fitzwater, Nokesville
Clarence Money, Quantico
Robert L. Rittenour, Nokesville
Clarence Money, Quantico
Robert L. Rittenour, Nokesville
Milton Irvin Nalls, Greenwich
Phillip B. Lipscomb, Bristow
Isaac A. Pearson, Hoadley

The following alternates are in the list:

Richard Lee Thorp, Independent Hill
Bankit Cornwell, Manassas, R.F.D.
Allen Cornwell, Manassas, R.F.D.
Newton F. Sayers, Independent Hill

Those who left today for Charlottesville for mechanical training are:

James Wesley Keys, Brentsville
John Roland Craig, Manassas
Gray C. Buck, Manasas
Daniel Nelson Reeder, Manassas

Newspaper Tidbit: Pastor Writes from Kentucky (1920)

Manassas Journal

February 6, 1920

Page 8

PASTOR WRITES FROM KENTUCKY

Rev. Mr. Rixey, Now at Theological Seminary, Recalls Prince William Days

The Journal is in receipt of an interesting letter from Rev. R. P. Rixey, of Fredericksburg, a former Prince William pastor, who is now at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky.:

“You may be surprised that news from your paper reaches to this city of 250,000 in far off Kentucky, 700 miles from Manassas.  Some mutual friend sent me a clipping from a late copy of The Journal with the letter you published from Rev. R. T. Hayes, of Pendleton, Va., telling of his work in Louisa county.

The reading of that letter brought back a flood of memories of about five years ago when I was the pastor of Woodbine and Bellehaven churches in Prince William county, and Brother Hayes was debating the question of giving up his position with the Standard Oil Company to enter the ministry.  I have never had cause to regret the fact that I then urged him to make the sacrifice needed and concecrate [sic] his life to so noble a calling.  I saw him take his departure shortly for Louisville, Ky., to make the preparation he needed.  I saw him two years later when he returned and began his good work in Louisa county.  I have helped him there two years in special meetings at one of the churches.

So much impressed was I with the intellectual and other help he had secured at the Seminary, that I made up my mind that I wanted the same.  It is seldom a man of my age, who enters the ministry as late in life as I did, ever goes to a Seminary.  However, I resigned my two churches and came last October for special work, and have greatly enjoyed the course of study.

I am by far the oldest man at the Seminary this year, but have no difficulty keeping up with the young men in my studies and have successfully passed all examinations.

I wish more of our older men would come here for preparation for this work.

My mind runs back over the past five years, and it seems but a short time since I enjoyed the hospitality of the homes I shall never forget; and the names Woodbine, Independent Hill and Bellhaven will never be forgotten.  The kindness and consideration of the people, in view of my imperfect work, will be to me always a source of gratitude and wonder.

Such names as Hayes, Hill, Cornwell, Smith, Russell, Luck, Merrill, Tubbs, Donohue, Wolfenden, Lynn, Storke, Lowe, Wine, Wright, Abel and many others, too numerous to mention, will live with me so long as memory lasts.  I wonder if Mrs. Sam Lowe remembers that little homemade rug she gave me!  It is on my floor in far off Kentucky, and I see it as I write this letter.  Considerably worn now, but still in use.  Mrs. Donohoe and her sisters loaded down my buggy many times with good things for my folks at home.  So did others, who were church members.  I refer to Mrs. Sam Lowe and Mrs. Donohoe and her sisters specially, because they were not members of my churches, which made their kindness the more remarkable.

I hope when I get back to my home in Fredericksburg next June to have the pleasure of a visit to these churches again and a chance to persecute each of them at least once, with a sermon.”

Wedding Wednesday: Marriage Licenses

The Evening Star (Washington, DC)
February 21, 1905

Marriage Licenses.

Marriage licenses have been issued to the following:

Arthur Owens and Mary Isabel Drury, both of Hyattsville, Md.
Harrison W. Wallis and Mary E. Donovan
Theodore Walter and Amelia Lambrecht
Temple Gray and Cornelia Hayden
Spencer Randolph and Josephine Harris
Harold W. MacConnell and Jane M. Browning, both of Pocahontas, Va
Fielder A. Gibson of this city and Mary E. Tarlton of St. Mary's county, Md
August Schlegel and Annie M. Glebel
William H. Fox and Louisa Gordon
Samuel A. Moss and Lottie Perkins
Samuel Krigbaum and Mae A. Warren
Andrew Moton and Bertha V. Johnson
Edward Cooper and Jennie Miller
Leonard H. Davis of this city and Annie M. McCarthy of Fredericksburg, Va
Stewart Abel of Prince William county, Va., and Emma L. Snelling of Stafford county, Va.
Joseph G. Ball and Mary Jackson
Stanhope Lacy and Bessie Banks, both of South Boston, Va

Sunday's Obituary: Catherine (Abel) Williams

"Sunday's Obituary" is one of many blogging prompt suggested by Geneabloggers.


Alexandria Gazette
August 24, 1907

DEATH OF MRS. WILLIAMS -- Mrs. Catherine Williams, wife of Mr. J. W. Williams, residing at 1829 Duke street, died yesterday evening, after a brief illness, at the Alexandria Hospital.  The deceased was thirty-five years old.  Mrs. Williams was a daughter of Mr. Walter H. Able, of Prince William county.  The remains will be taken to Quantico for interment Sunday.  Mrs. Williams's infant child also died at the hospital.

--------------

Catherine Abel (also spelled Able/Abell) was born on April 20, 1872 in Prince William County to Walter H. and Martha Abel.  She is 8 years old on the PWCo 1880 census with her parents and siblings Roberta (age 5) and Nelson (age 2).