Application for Citizenship: James Jenkyn Davies (5 May 1874)

The path to citizenship was a fairly simple, straightforward process in 19th century Prince William County.  Take the following 1874 application by J. J. Davies, presented before the court 5 May 1874:

Virginia to Wit: 

Appeared before me D. W. Whiting a justice in and for Prince William County, Harvey B. Varns, and after being sworn, testified that he is acquainted with James J. Davies, now of Brentsville, and knows him the said James J. Davies to have been a resident of the United States for five years. 

Given under my hand this 5th day of May 1874. 

D. W. Whiting

Know someone in the county who can verify you've lived in the U.S. at least 5 years?  Citizenship granted!

In "District of Columbia Births and Christenings, 1830-1955" database (familysearch.org), James Jenkyn Davies of England is cited as the father of an unnamed son on 10 October 1887.  His wife, Mildred Hawes Thornton, is a Virginia native. 

[Thank you to Ron Turner for sharing this find from the loose papers of the Prince William County archives.]

Current Affairs: George Ray Farm

After a Planning Commission public hearing on April 4, 2018, Prince William County gave the green light to Ray's Regard, a proposed 350 housing development on the old George Ray Farm.  

Before the property disappears forever, David Cuff and Don Wilson of Historic Prince William have written an informative article about the property's history and the Ray family, that can be found HERE.

VA Association of Museum Awards Results

VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS AWARDS $18,500

TO MUSEUMS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH FOR

CONSERVATION PROJECTS

THANK YOU to everyone who voted in the Virginia Association of Museum's Ten Endangered Artifacts Conservation Award Project.

As a result of your efforts, the 1902 Poll Books were recognized for their research potential and historical documentation of voter disenfranchisement in the Commonwealth and awarded $2,000 towards the books' paper conservation efforts.

Thank you again! With your support we are able to preserve and interpret Prince William County's amazing history. 

Your help is needed to conserve Prince William County History!

In 1902 Virginia passed a new state constitution in its legislature. The primary goal was to limit the African American vote throughout the state. There were numerous ideas as to how to do this without violating Federal Law. As a result, the following requirements were added – voters had to be able to fill out the voter registration form without any assistance, pay the annual poll tax for each of the three years prior, and to pass a quiz from the registrar on the Virginia State Constitution. The representatives did not want to disenfranchise poor whites, and thus also added a clause that any veteran of the US or Confederate military, or their son, was able to waive the above requirements and vote. As result of these news requirements, more than 88,000 individuals were disenfranchised.

This year, we submitted our 1902 Brentsville Colored and White Poll Books to the Virginia Association of Museums Top 10 Most Endangered Artifacts list, in an effort to bring awareness to these unique and important objects. We were selected as part of the Top 10, and beginning January 15 there will be public voting for awards of up to $5,000 in funds for the conservation of these books.

Voting lasts from January 15 - 24 at:

http://www.vamuseums.org/?page=top10

You can vote daily from each individual computer. There is no restriction on where the computer is, or who you are – each vote counts!

PW County Historic Records Released to the Public!

Several years ago, the Prince William County County Clerk's Office began the daunting task of digitizing historic papers in the courthouse archives, including (but not limited to) Deed Books, Will Books, and loose documents.   As part of the project, volunteers have been working diligently to index every single document scanned.

In October 2015, the County released the first set of Prince William County Clerk's Loose Papers via an online portal.  This first release of digitized copies of original documents has over 100,000 images covering a wide range of subjects, including slavery, criminal and civil cases, letters, notes, attachments, and prisoner lists.

In January 2016, PWCo Deeds prior to 1918 were added to the database.

I am very excited to announce that the website is now live and presently free to the public at the following URL:

https://www3.pwcgov.org/pahax/

NOTE:  For best results, the website should be accessed using Internet Explorer with the Silverlight add-on.

* * *

The launch of this online archive is exciting news for historians and genealogist alike!

Literally within five minutes of searching the index of Loose Papers, I had the answer to one of my personal brick wall questions -- when did my great-grandmother Martha Lynn pass away?  All I knew was that it was somewhere between the birth of her son in 1891 and the death of her mother in 1900.  And suddenly, there was the answer among the online Loose Papers in a suit against the physician who attended her!

* * *

I would like to thank the Prince William County Clerk's Office for launching this project and making these priceless resources available to the pubic.

But I am especially grateful to Ron Turner and all of the other volunteers who have been working (and continue to work!) so hard to create the master index!  (You folks totally rock!)

Current Affairs: PWCo Board of Supervisors Set Precedent to Destroy History

Once again, Prince William County has proven its disregard for history and the rights of families and their ancestors.  In a unanimous decision during the September 8th session, the Board of County Supervisors voted to disinter a small family cemetery dating back to at least as early as 1855 in order to facilitate the building of a shiny new fire station.

Public safety and response times were the catch phrase for the BOS decision but it was evident to those in attendance (in person and via live media coverage) that the BOS decision was a foregone conclusion.  In a heavy handed show of favoritism, Chief Kevin McGee was given ample time for his presentation of why the only option was to remove the cemetery to facilitate "response times" while advocates for history like Bill Olson of the Historical Commission and direct descendants of those interred in the cemetery were given a scant 3 minutes.

In the end, the BOS decision came down to the almighty dollar (somehow removing the cemetery was a less expensive option than a land swap with the adjacent landowners -- which was conveniently never pursued).

Martin Nohe's comments in the Potomac Local News that he would "lose  a lot of sleep ... knowing the board has been put in a position to make this decision ... moving a cemetery" are disingenuous at best.  The Coles District Supervisor has been aware of the Norman/Lynn Cemetery beside the Coles Fire House since the earlier debacle on his watch when the PWCo School Board disinterred the Lynn Family cemetery to make way for a fancy new football stadium.  But then, it's an election year and "improving" his district with a football stadium and a shiny new fire station is an excellent platform to run a campaign on.

The BOS were presented with three additional options that would have permitted a compromise, leaving the cemetery undisturbed and still facilitating a shiny new fire station for the community.  Any number of means could have been employed to cover the additional cost (minimal at best in the scheme of things) but none were explored or considered.  Indeed, these options were never truly on the table.  The BOS vote was very much a foregone conclusion.

As a direct result of the PWCo BOS's disregard and disrespect for history and the rights of the deceased, as reported in an article from InsideNova.com, two Historical Commission Members Quit Following Decision to Remove Graves.

The BOS is probably collectively patting themselves on the back right now for succeeding in bulldozing over another historic cemetery (and the rights of their descendants) and disposing of two advocates for historic preservation at the same time.

With their vote and lack of regard (or compassion) for the families of those buried in the Norman/Lynn cemetery, the Prince William County BOS has set a precedent that cemeteries are merely nuisances to be overcome (and bulldozed) in the name of county growth and the march of "progress."  Especially in an election year.

PUBLIC HEARING: Re Disinterment of the Norman/Lynn Cemetery at the Coles Firehouse

NOTICE:  PUBLIC HEARING

Norman/Lynn Cemetery at the Coles Firehouse in Independent Hill

There will be a Public Hearing on September 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. before the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors for comments on the possible disinterment of the graves beside the Coles Firehouse in Independent Hill.

The Hearing will be in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in the James J. McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.  (This is the brick building in the County Complex.)

Because of the cost of the proposed new firehouse, compared to the cost of alternatives, the vote of the Board of Supervisors is predisposed toward disinterment of the Norman/Lynn Cemetery situated in the lot immediately beside the present firehouse.  It should be noted that the County has been aware of this cemetery since the original firehouse was built.

The Norman/Lynn Cemetery was established at least as early as 1855, with the interment of Charles E. Norman, a local merchant and county magistrate.  It may even be older, with the early demise of two of Charles and Mary Frances (Lynn) Norman’s children who would undoubtedly have been buried in the family cemetery.

A large turnout at the Public Hearing would show the Board of Supervisors that all gravesites – even ones that have been neglected (in this case, by the county itself) – deserve respect and should be allowed to remain undisturbed.  Let our ancestors rest in peace!

Current Affairs: One Last Word

On the Monday after the Memorial and Dedication Ceremony for the Lynn Cemetery on the 12th High School site, I was contacted by Moriah Balingit of The Washington Post for one last interview regarding the controversy and events of the past year.  I was a bit surprised but very grateful that The Post was interested in the ceremony and the closure that it brought to both Prince William County Schools and the Lynn family.

The Media is an interesting animal.  In this age of the Internet and instant information, it's a mighty tool that can be wielded to inspire and galvanize people and organizations into action for a common good.  Unfortunately, it can also be a weapon to perpetuate negativity.

It was the Media that first brought to light the discovery of the 11 graves on the 12th High School construction site and PWCS's rush to remove them to make way for their football stadium.  At the beginning of the storm, I and several of my Lynn cousins were contacted by reporters from many different newspapers and television stations.  That media scrutiny helped galvanize the public and historical community to fight for a tiny 19th century cemetery on the brink of extinction.

I am sincerely grateful to each and every periodical and reporter that took an interest and kept the story in the pubic eye until all parties were able to come to an amicable solution.  Of them all, two stand out for special thanks:

(1) Thank you to InsideNova for breaking the story in August 2013 and staying with it!  This small Northern Virginia newspaper led the charge.

(2) Thank you to The Washington Post.  Mike Ruane's front page article on December 3, 2013 was a balanced, well written piece that fairly reported both sides of the controversy and brought the story to an unexpected national level.  I'd also like to thank The Post for being the only periodical interested enough to stay with the story until its full closure with Saturday's Memorial and Dedication Ceremony, when former "adversaries" came together in compromise to honor the resting place of a 19th century farming family.

Following is the full text of Ms. Balingit's (9 September 2014) article, which can be found on the The Washington Post website.

By 2016, a now-rocky plot south of Manassas will be home to rowdy football games and a new high school.

But on Saturday, it was the site of a solemn moment as Prince William County school officials and members of a local family gathered to dedicate a burial plot for the remains from a more than century-old grave. The grave, which likely belonged to ancestors of the Lynn family, was unearthed when contractors were preparing to build playing fields for the new school.

With the ceremony, Prince William County Public Schools put to rest a controversy that pit the system against local historians and the Lynn family, whose roots run deep in the area.

Concerns arose in September 2013, when school officials announced their intentions to move the remains to a cemetery to make way for the football field. In November, local historians traced the land back to the Lynn family, and although the graves were unidentified and the remains were too degraded to extract DNA, strong circumstantial evidence — including land records — suggests that they belonged to ancestors of the Lynn family.

But by then, the dig couldn’t be stopped, school officials said. And the plan for the school could not be reconfigured to avoid the family grave site, schools spokesman Phil Kavits said.

Carolyn Lynn, a local genealogist and a direct family descendant, initially was upset that the remains were unearthed without thorough attempts to identify whom they might belong to and protested when officials said they would move them to another cemetery. They came to an agreement to rebury the remains in a spot not far from where they were discovered last month, Lynn said.

“I’m really quite pleased that ultimately we all came together and compromised,” Lynn said.

The remains are now in a fenced-in burial plot, marked with a plaque, that will sit not far from a school parking lot. The school system also commissioned a 197-page report by an archaeology firm that details the artifacts and human remains found at the site.

Lynn said she still wishes that the family grave had been left undisturbed.

“At the same time, if they hadn’t found the cemetery in their surveys at all, they could have just bulldozed and no one would have known it was there,” she said. “They’re still home. They’re about 925 feet further away.”

Memorial & Dedication of Lynn Cemetery on PWCo High School Site

The Memorial Ceremony and Dedication of the Lynn cemetery on the 12th High School site took place on Saturday, September 6, 2014.  It was a poignant, respectful conclusion to a 12 month journey that began with a whirlwind of miscommunication, frustration, and media frenzy, but ultimately ended with Prince William County Schools (“PWCS”), Lynn family members, leaders in the historical community, neighbors, and the general public coming together to rescue a small 19^th century family cemetery from oblivion.

When I saw the newly relocated and restored cemetery for the first time before Saturday’s ceremony, it brought me to tears.  The original field stone markers stand clean and upright amid newly planted periwinkle.  A shiny new memorial plaque near the entrance of a simple but attractive black fence reads:

This 19^th century cemetery was moved from its original location in 2014 by Prince William County Schools during the high school construction.  The original location was 925 feet south-west from this spot.  Historical research and archeological evidence suggests that the cemetery includes the burials of William and Cordelia Lynn and their family.  This new cemetery is rededicated on William Lynn’s original tract of land.

With the aid of GPS and laser measurements made during the archeological excavation of the original cemetery, the 11 graves were reinterred as close to their original orientation and layout as possible.  All of the remains and artifacts were reinterred in the new cemetery.

Approximately 25 people attended Saturday’s Memorial Ceremony, which began with an opening prayer by Rev. Gene R. Wells of Woodbine Church and a greeting from David S. Cline, PWCS Assoc. Superintendent of Finance and Support Services.  It was a nice touch that the attendees in the audience were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their interest in the proceedings.  More than a dozen of my Lynn family cousins were there to honor their ancestors and support the new cemetery.

Pastor Gene Wells

Pastor Gene explained that his church, Woodbine Baptist Church on Canova Drive in Independent Hill, was founded by Levi C. Lynn in May of 1875.  In a wonderful homage to the past, he used Levi's original 1875 Bible to tell the Biblical story of how Joseph’s bones were taken out of Egypt and into the Promised Land by his descendants.  Pastor Gene also spoke a bit of how his own search to discover the history of his church had led him to learn about the Lynn family and their involvement in PWCo. 

David Cline, Marte Nohe, and
Pastor Gene Wells

I was honored to be one of the speakers at the ceremony and used the opportunity to tell a bit more about the contributions made to PWCo by my Lynn ancestors.  I spoke about the land itself, and how much of Independent Hill in the 19^th century was made up of farms owned by the Lynns or neighbors who married into the family.  But mostly, I spoke about the family we believe to be buried in the cemetery itself – that of William and Cordelia Lynn, my 2nd great grandparents, and their children.  I’m not quite certain how the attendees felt, but it was a moving moment for me to be able to speak those 11 names aloud just a few feet from their newly dedicated resting place.

Wreath laying - John Windley,
David Cline, Lillie Jesse, & Marte Nohe

Marte Nohe, County Supervisor for the Coles Magisterial District, acknowledge the contributions of the Lynn family to PWCo and how the county and community came together to work in compromise.  The new high school being built on what was once the William Lynn farm is just one more contribution toward the good that can be done for PWCo and its students.  One day soon, the 12^th High School will begin to educate the county leaders of tomorrow.

Bagpiper Kevin Byrne, the husband of a PWCS teacher, played Amazing Grace as David Cline, Marte Nohe, School Board member Lille Jesse (Occoquan), and John J. Windley (PWCS Director, Office of Facilities Services) laid a silk wreath of autumn colors in the cemetery beside the new memorial plaque.

After the wreath laying, three generations of Lynn family descendants went into the cemetery to lay white roses on each of the 11 graves before Pastor Gene concluded with a closing prayer.

All in all, it was a touching and respectful ceremony to honor the final resting place for William and Cordelia Lynn and their children.

~ ~ ~

It was noted by David Cline that, because the cemetery is still within an active construction site, visitations in the immediate future will need to be coordinated with PWCS’s Office of Facilities Services.  However, when the 12^th High School is completed in 2016, a small, tree-lined path will lead from the parking lot to the cemetery so that family may visit at any time.

~ ~ ~

Over the course of the past year, many people and organizations stepped forward to help resolve the issue of William and Cordelia's final resting place -- far too many to thank them all by name!  However, there are a select few that I personally would like to single out for special thanks:

(1) Bill Olson of the PWCo Historical Commission, who is a fierce advocate and force to be reckoned with when it comes to the preservation of PWCo's cemeteries, large or small.

(2) The wonderful staff/volunteers at RELIC for their invaluable research in determining that the cemetery is (almost certainly) that of William and Cordelia Lynn and their children.

(3) John Windley, PWCS Director of Facilities Services, who has worked closely with the Lynn family to come to a respectful, appropriate solution.  His professionalism and calmness throughout is greatly appreciated.

(4)  Last, and certainly not least, I would like to thank Pastor Gene Wells of Woodbine Church.  From the very beginning Pastor Gene has been a calming voice of reason in a raging storm.  He worked hard to bring all of the parties together (PWCS, Lynn family, county, and neighbors) to reach a peaceful conclusion to what began as a heated, volatile situation. Pastor Gene also planned the beautiful and touching Memorial Ceremony and Dedication from beginning to end, for which I will be forever grateful.

The Author standing with her ancestors.  (Photo by Pastor Gene Wells)

Event Reminder: Memorial Ceremony for Lynn Cemetery on HS Site

As mentioned in my earlier post, the Prince William County Public Schools will conduct a memorial/rededication service for the graves discovered at the 12th high school construction site at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 6th, 2014. The public is invited to attend.  Since the graves are located on an active construction site and parking is a concern, PWCS requires that all attendees meet before 9:45 AM at the Edward Kelly Leadership Center 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112. Bus transportation will be provided from there to the ceremony site. Please do not drive to the high school site or enter the Independence Drive community to attend this ceremony.

I have been asked to be one of the speakers at the memorial service and am honored to do so.  Without engraved headstones or conclusive DNA results, it is doubtful posterity will ever be 100% certain who was buried in this small family cemetery; however, circumstantial evidence pieced together from land records, taxes, periodicals, and death records all point toward William and Cordelia Lynn and their children.  Through diligent research by the staff and volunteers at RELIC and aided by the findings of Thunderbird Archaeology, the eleven graves may be identified as the following members of William and Cordelia's family:

• William Lynn, 1818-1862

• Cordelia Lynn, ca. 1824-1899

• John Henry Lynn, ca. 1840-1884

• Robert Lynn, ca. 1842-1870

• Lewellen Lynn, ca, 1844-1882

• Wallace Lynn, ca. 1845- between 1860-1870

• Ann Lynn, ca. 1851-1872

• Sophia Lynn, ca. 1852-1862

• Lucy Lynn, 1855-between 1870-1873

• Seymour Lynn, 1858-1877

• Mary Mildred Lynn, 1860-1877

I have to admit that I am not an especially good public speaker.  I'm much more comfortable behind a keyboard!  But I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak aloud the names of my LYNN ancestors -- especially great-grandfather John Henry and his parents William and Cordelia - who I believe to have been buried in the small 19th century cemetery on the 12th High School construction site.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Memorial Ceremony for School Site Cemetery

Prince William County Public Schools will conduct a respectful re-interment ceremony for the graves discovered at the 12th high school construction site. The public is invited to attend. The ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday September 6th, 2014. Since the graves are located on an active construction site and parking is a concern, we are requiring that all attendees meet before 9:45 AM at the Edward Kelly Leadership Center 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112. Bus transportation will be provided from there to the ceremony site. Please do not drive to the high school site or enter the Independence Drive community to attend this ceremony.

Prince William County Public Schools looks forward to this burial ceremony as we honor those being re-interred. Thank you for your cooperation.

So that we can plan appropriately, please kindly provide notice of your plans to attend on or before August 25th, 2014 by calling 703-791-7308.

The cemetery discovered on the 12th High School construction site is believed to be that of William and Cordelia Lynn and members of their family, who owned the land from the 1850's through 1899.  (They are also my gggreat-grandparents.)

As noted on the PWCS public announcement, the remains and artifacts from the 11 graves have already been reinterred at the new cemetery site approximately 900 yards from the original cemetery.  To my knowledge, no family members or clergy were present for the actual reburial.  I have been assured by PWCS officials that this was for safety reasons because of the ongoing construction and heavy equipment close at hand.

The ceremony on Saturday, September 6th is being planned as a memorial and cemetery dedication.

~Cgl

Current Affairs: 12 HS Public Meeting on (Lynn) Cemetery Reburial Process

Prince William County Schools ("PWCS") has received the final archaeological research report on the remains recovered from the cemetery located on the 12th High School site.  The final report was released prior to a planned meeting for open discussion on the specifics of the reinterment process.

The public meeting will be held on June 11, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the atrium of the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center located at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112.  So that PWCS will know how many participants to expect, anyone planning to attend should call (703) 791-7308.

Once the open discussion is completed, PWCS will present the final reinterment plans to the PWCo Historical Commission and The Virginia Department of Historic Resources, as required by permit.  They anticipate a late June or early July reinterment, for which another notice will be issued.

For me, probably the most important information in the final report by the archaeological firm notes that there were a total of 11 graves dating from post-1850 to post-1880 and that some of the individuals were "likely associated with the family of William and Cordelia Lynn" (my gggreat-grandparents), who owned the land during the indicated time period.

The report also notes that William and Cordelia's son, John Henry Lynn, was probably one of the burials.  John was a civil war veteran (Co. A., 4th Virginia Cavalry) and was the executor of his father's estate, fighting the battle to keep the family farm until his own death in 1884.  He is also my grandfather Earl's grandfather.  In other words, this tiny little cemetery represents two direct generations of my Lynn family, and what happens to it is very important to me on a very personal level as well as historic one.

I realize that there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the 12th High School site, even before my Lynn ancestors were removed to make room for the football stadium.  That said, I would like to make a personal request of anyone who plans to attend the June 11th meeting -- please, please leave your politics about swimming pools and school boundaries at  home!  There is a time and a place for everything, and this meeting isn't the place to rant at PWCS about ongoing political issues.

The June 11th public meeting is, and should only be, about recreating a cemetery and the respectful reinterment of a simple farmer and his family on their ancestral land.

Tombstone Tuesday: Lynn-Norman Cemetery (Coles Firehouse)

As urban sprawl and development gobbles up more and more woodland and green spaces, developers and landowners alike are discovering small family cemeteries abandoned to time.

In our day and age, when we think of a cemetery we envision engraved tombstones and manicured lawns neatly contained within a fence or on a large municipal or religious property.  But before the 20th century, that was not the norm, especially in rural areas.  Engraved tombstones were expensive and the nearest stone carver might be located in a town more than 30 miles away.  Available field stones, often of quartz, were used to mark the resting place of a loved one.  Instead of engraving, oral history was passed down from generation to generation so that the family knew who was buried where in their private little cemetery.  Unfortunately, when a family died or the land passed out of their hands, the identity of the graves and even the site itself could be lost to time.

This is the case of many of the Lynn and related cemeteries in Independent Hill in the Coles Magisterial District of Prince William County.

The photo below is an excellent example.  If you were hiking through the woods and were unaware of the use of field stones as headstones, would you recognize this as a grave site?

Lynn-Norman Cemetery, Independent Hill
(photo by C. Lynn)

This photo was taken in the small wooded area beside the Coles District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station.  Oral history in the area has known about this cemetery for many years and, fortunately, this particular site has a name associated with it because of the one engraved headstone that rested there.  Other sites -- like the Lynn Family Cemetery on the 12th High School Construction Site -- do not.

The next time you see a small upright stone standing in a field or a wooded area or in a somewhat unlikely place, give it a closer look.  You may have found a lost family cemetery.  In any case, please mark the location with a GPS (available on most smart phones) and share the information with your local historical representatives.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Prince William Public Works and the Coles District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station have posted a Notice on the PWCo Government's website seeking the Public's help.  Anyone with information about the identity of the cemetery is asked to contact Matthew Corneliussen (703-792-5296) or Lou Ann Dorrier (703-792-6674).

PUBLIC NOTICE: County Requests Information about Identity of Cemetery

Several weeks ago I was contacted by representatives of the Prince William Public Works and the Coles District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station regarding a small, abandoned cemetery beside the Fire House.  The County is trying to determine the identity of those who may be buried within the cemetery and, if possible, if there are any living descendants.

Unlike the Lynn Cemetery on the 12th High School construction site, this cemetery was never "lost."  Once upon a time, it even had an engraved tombstone that definitively named one of those buried therein.  The stone read:

To the Memory of

Chas. E. Norman

Was born May 22, 1814

Departed this life

Oct. 8, 1855

Aged 41 yrs, 4 mos, 16 days

Somewhere along the way, the stone was removed and relocated to Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery in Loudoun County -- presumably by a descendant.   The other graves remained behind, marked by simple quartz field stones.  No names.  No dates.  No identities.

Charles Edward Norman, Sr. was a magistrate and a merchant in PWCo.  He married Mary Frances Lynn, the daughter of Benson Lynn.  Yes, that's right -- yet another cemetery with a Lynn connection.  Not too surprising, really.  The Lynn clan owned quite a lot of farmland in Independent Hill in the mid-1800's.  But are those resting in this cemetery Lynn/Norman kin -- or another family altogether?

PUBLIC NOTICE

Prince William Public Works and the Coles District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station have posted a Notice on the PWCo Government's website seeking the Public's help.  Anyone with information about the identity of the cemetery is asked to contact Matthew Corneliussen (703-792-5296) or Lou Ann Dorrier (703-792-6674).

Following is the full text, with a link to the Prince William County Government website:

There’s an abandoned cemetery near the Coles District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station with graves that have been left unmarked over time, and the Prince William Public Works Department needs help in identifying who might be buried there.

“First and foremost, what we want to do is identify who’s in the cemetery,” said Matthew Corneliussen, an engineer with the Facilities Construction Management division of the County’s Public Works Department. “We’re just looking to find family members of people who may be buried there.”

From the gravestones that remain at the cemetery, Public Works officials have determined that they are looking for people who might know anything about the Norman or Tinsill families in particular, or anyone who might know something about the graveyard generally. “We’re sort of putting a call out for anybody who knows any information about the cemetery,” Corneliussen said. “Through courthouse records and genealogy records, there’s potential that there may be additional families. That’s why we’re hoping that if anyone knows anything about it, they’ll come forward and share that information with us.”

The little graveyard with 12 to 14 graves isn’t unknown to people, Corneliussen said. The Prince William Historic Commission examined and documented the site about 20 years ago. There are a few headstones and footstones to attest to some of the burial plots, but indentations in the ground indicate that there are also other graves in the cemetery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Matthew Corneliussen at 703-792-5296 or Lou Ann Dorrier at 703-792-6674.

The cemetery is located near the site where the new Coles District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station is scheduled to be completed by late 2015.

Current Affairs: Virginia House Bill 997 APPROVED!

In an earlier post, I mentioned that one of the most positive things to come out of the turmoil caused by the discovery and subsequent removal of the graves at the PWCo 12th High School construction site was Delegate Richard L. Anderson's House Bill #997 ("Proceedings for the Removal and Relocation of Human Remains").  

In summary, HB 997 "strengthens the requirements for disinterment and relocation of human remains from a cemetery or graveyard by the landowner by requiring the institution of legal proceedings, heightened notice requirements to any heirs or descendants, and notice to the Department of Historic Resources and any local historical commission or organization."

I am pleased to report that the Bill passed both House and Senate, and the Governor has signed HB 997 into Virginia law!  

Many thanks to Delegate Anderson, his staff, and all those behind the scenes who contributed to the drafting and support of HB 997!

VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER An Act to amend and reenact §§ 57-36 and 57-38.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cemeteries; procedure for the removal and relocation of human remains.
[H 997] Approved

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 57-36 and 57-38.1 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 57-36. Abandoned graveyards may be condemned; removal of bodies.

A. When a graveyard, wholly or partly within any county, city, or town, has been abandoned, or is unused and neglected by the owners, and such graveyard is necessary, in whole or in part, for public purposes, authorized by the charter of such city or town, or by the general statutes providing for the government of counties, cities, and towns, such county, city, or town may acquire title to such burying ground by condemnation proceedings, to be instituted and conducted in the manner and mode prescribed in the statutes providing for the exercise of the power of eminent domain by counties, cities, and towns. The locality may continue to maintain all or a portion of the burying ground as a graveyard.

B. The court taking jurisdiction of the case may, in its discretion, require the county, city, or town to acquire the whole burying ground, in which event the county, city, or town may use such part thereof as may be necessary for its purposes and sell the residue. The court, however, shall direct that the remains interred in such graveyard, if possible so to do, be removed to some repository used and maintained as a cemetery.

C. Should any county, city, or town, having acquired by any means land on which an abandoned graveyard is located, including lands acquired in accordance with § 22.1-126.1 for educational purposes, initiate plans to use that land for purposes other than to maintain the graveyard, such county, city, or town shall, prior to completion of said plans, develop and engage in active public notice and participation regarding efforts to avoid adverse impacts to the graveyard or to remove the remains interred in such graveyard to an alternative repository. Such public notice and participation shall include, at minimum, publication of at least one notice in a local newspaper of general circulation, notice posted at the site of the graveyard, and notice to and consultation with any historic preservation or other such commission, as well as area historical and genealogical societies, and at least one public hearing. The locality shall make a good faith effort to identify and contact living descendants of the persons buried in the graveyard, if known. In addition, the locality is encouraged to post such notice on the Internet, including appropriate websites and through the use of social media, and to consult with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Having given all public comment due consideration, the county, city, or town is encouraged first to adjust plans to maintain the graveyard as part of the larger land use plan or, if that is not feasible, to request permission to proceed with removal through the court or through the Virginia Department of Historic Resources should archaeological removal be appropriate. In any event, any removal of remains should be given all due care and respect, as should the selection of and reburial in another cemetery. This requirement for public notice, consultation, consideration of comments, and following due process for removal of human remains shall apply in cases where the presence of an abandoned graveyard is discovered during either the planning or construction phases of a project.

D. Any county, city, or town that has acquired by any means land on which an abandoned cemetery or gravesite of Virginians held as slaves at the time of their deaths is located shall notify the Virginia Department of Historic Resources of the location of such cemetery or gravesite. The Department shall record the location of the cemetery or gravesite. A listing of the locations of all abandoned cemeteries and gravesites of Virginians held as slaves at the time of their deaths that have been provided to the Department shall be maintained by the Department as a public record.

§ 57-38.1. Proceedings by landowner for removal of remains from abandoned family graveyard.

The owner of any land on which is located an abandoned family graveyard, and there has been no reservation of rights in such graveyard, or when the beneficiaries of any reservations of rights desire to waive such rights, and in which no body has been interred for twenty-five years may file a bill in equity in the circuit court of the county or in the circuit or corporation court wherein such land is located for the purpose of having the remains interred in such graveyard removed to some more suitable repository. To such bill all persons in interest, known or unknown, other than the plaintiffs shall be duly made defendants. If any of such parties be unknown, publication shall be had the plaintiffs shall undertake active, good faith efforts to locate interested parties including, at a minimum, publication of at least one notice in a local newspaper of general circulation, notice posted at the site of the graveyard, and notice to and consultation with any historic preservation or other such commission, as well as area historical and genealogical societies. In addition, the plaintiff is encouraged to post such notice on the Internet, including appropriate websites and through the use of social media, and to consult with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Upon the case being properly matured for hearing, and proof being made of the propriety of the removal, the court may order the removal made and the remains properly deposited in another place, at the expense of the petitioner. Such removal and reinterment shall be done with due care and decency.

In determining the question of removal the court shall consider the historical significance of such graveyard and shall consider as well the wishes of the parties concerned so far as they are brought to its knowledge, including the desire of any beneficiaries of any reservation of rights to waive such reservation of rights in favor of removal, and so considering shall exercise a sound discretion in granting or refusing the relief prayed for.

Fundraiser: Rediscovering Brentsville's Civil War Stories (Brentsville Jail)

One of my favorite historic places to visit in PWCo is the Brentsville Courthouse and its 19th Century Jail, which is currently undergoing restoration.

The Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is raising funds for the Curation and Conservation of American Civil War Artifacts at the Brentsville Jail. We are raising funds to conserve and prepare for exhibition a significant collection of Civil War artifacts.  These artifacts will form the basis for the interpretation of the Civil War in Brentsville. The original boots that were found on site, military accouterments, and bullets will need to be identified, conserved and prepared for the exhibit. Our goal of $3,500 will accomplish this project to include the conservation, interpretation and display of the materials. This project will ensure that the American Civil War history of Brentsville is a significant part of the overall Jail exhibit. The exhibit is scheduled to open in May of 2015.

The Brentsville Jail is a nationally significant historic property located in Prince William County, Virginia. 

To donate, please go HERE.

There are "thank you" perks for several levels of donation.

Current Affairs: Virginia Legislature House Bill #997 (Cemeteries; procedure for removal and relocation of human remains)

One of the most positive things to come out of the turmoil caused by the discovery and subsequent removal of the graves at the PWCo 12th High School construction site is Delegate Richard L. Anderson's House Bill #997 ("Proceedings for the Removal and Relocation of Human Remains"), which is making its way through the current session of the Virginia Legislature.  

In summary, HB 997 "strengthens the requirements for disinterment and relocation of human remains from a cemetery or graveyard by the landowner by requiring the institution of legal proceedings, heightened notice requirements to any heirs or descendants, and notice to the Department of Historic Resources and any local historical commission or organization."

The status of HB 997 as it (hopefully) makes its way into Law can be tracked HERE.

Many thanks to Delegate Anderson, his staff, and all those behind the scenes who contributed to the drafting of HB 997!

HOUSE BILL NO. 997 Offered January 8, 2014 Prefiled January 8, 2014
A BILL to amend and reenact § 57-38.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 57 an article numbered 5.1, consisting of sections numbered 57-39.7:1 and 57-39.7:2, relating to cemeteries; procedure for the removal and relocation of human remains.
---------- Patron-- Anderson ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 57-38.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 57 an article numbered 5.1, consisting of sections numbered 57-39.7:1 and 57-39.7:2 as follows:

§ 57-38.1. Proceedings by landowner for removal of remains from abandoned family graveyard.

The owner of any land on which is located an abandoned family graveyard, and there has been no reservation of rights in such graveyard, or when the beneficiaries of any reservations of rights desire to waive such rights, and in which no body has been interred for twenty-five years may file a bill in equity in the circuit court of the county or in the circuit or corporation court wherein such land is located for the purpose of having the remains interred in such graveyard removed to some more suitable repository. To such bill all persons in interest, known or unknown, other than the plaintiffs shall be duly made defendants. If any of such parties be unknown,publication shall be had the plaintiffs shall undertake active, good faith efforts to locate interested parties including, at a minimum, publication of at least one notice in a local newspaper of general circulation, notice posted at the site of the graveyard, and notice to and consultation with any historic preservation or other such commission, as well as area historical and genealogical societies. In addition, the plaintiff is encouraged to post such notice on the Internet, including appropriate websites and through the use of social media, and to consult with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Upon the case being properly matured for hearing, and proof being made of the propriety of the removal, the court may order the removal made and the remains properly deposited in another place, at the expense of the petitioner. Such removal and reinterment shall be done with due care and decency..

In determining the question of removal the court shall consider the historical significance of such graveyard and shall consider as well the wishes of the parties concerned so far as they are brought to its knowledge, including the desire of any beneficiaries of any reservation of rights to waive such reservation of rights in favor of removal, and so considering shall exercise a sound discretion in granting or refusing the relief prayed for.

Article 5.1. Removal and Relocation of Human Remains.

§ 57-39.7:1. Permit for removal and relocation of human remains required; exception.

A. The owner of any land on which is located a cemetery or a family graveyard shall apply to the circuit court in which the cemetery or graveyard is located for a permit prior to the disinterment and reinterment of any human remains located in such cemetery or graveyard. A permit issued by the court shall be required prior to the disinterment of such human remains and prior to the institution of any proceedings authorized in in this article or Article 4 (§ 57-35.36 et seq.). However, notice to any heir at law or descendant of such deceased person shall be required in the same manner as set forth in Article 4 (§ 57-35.36 et seq.), which notice shall state that a permit application is pending before the court and that any such heir or descendant has a right to be made a party to the proceedings before the court or to make comment to the court concerning the removal of the remains.

B. Prior to the issuance of any permit, the court shall require the owner of any such land to provide evidence satisfactory to the court that the notice required by subsection A has been given. The court shall afford any such heir or descendant an opportunity to be heard prior to the issuance of the permit at such time and place as determined by the court.

C. No permit shall be required if such cemetery or family graveyard is determined to be of historical significance pursuant to § 10.1-2305, but  the owner of the cemetery or family graveyard shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 23 (§ 10.1-2300 et seq.) of Title 10.1.

§ 57-39.7:2. Proceedings by landowner for removal of remains from cemetery or family graveyard.

Prior to the removal of any remains, the owner of any land on which is located a cemetery or family graveyard shall file a bill in equity in the circuit court wherein such land is located for the purpose of having the remains interred in such cemetery or graveyard removed to some more suitable repository. The petitioner shall provide the court with a written justification for the removal of the remains. To such bill, all persons in interest, known or unknown, other than the plaintiffs shall be duly made defendants. If any of such parties be unknown, publication shall be had once a week for eight successive weeks, in one or more newspapers, or such longer period as the court directs; the costs of such publication shall be paid by the petitioner or applicant. At least 90 days' notice shall also be (i) posted on genealogical websites in the geographical area where such land is located, (ii) posted at the cemetery or family graveyard, (iii) given to the Department of Historical Resources for a determination of historical significance in accordance with § 10.1-2305, and (iv) given to any local historical commissions or organization located wherein such land is located. The court shall require the petitioner to provide proof of publication and posting of the notice required by this section. The Department shall be considered an interested party in the court proceedings considering the legally constituted cemeteries or family graveyards with historic significance.

In determining the question of removal and relocation of the remains, the court shall consider the historical significance of such graveyard and shall consider as well the wishes of any next-of-kin first, followed by the wishes of any other parties concerned, other than the petitioner, so far as they are brought to its knowledge, including the desire of any beneficiaries of any reservation of rights to waive such reservation of rights in favor of removal. If there are no next-of-kin, the court shall designate a historical or cemetery preservation organization to represent the interest of the next-of-kin. In so considering all of the evidence and statements of the parties, the court shall exercise a sound discretion in granting or refusing the relief prayed for.

Upon the case being properly matured for hearing, and proof being made of the propriety of the removal, the court may order the removal made and the remains properly deposited in another place, at the expense of the petitioner. Such removal and reinterment shall be done with due care and decency.

Current Affairs: Can You Rest In Peace in PWCo?

On Wednesday, January 8th, the Prince William Committee of 100 hosted a timely forum entitled "Can You Rest in Peace in Prince William County."

Moderated by Charlie Grymes, Chairman, PW Conservation Alliance, the forum panel included (from left to right):

Dr. Bill Olsen, President, Historic Prince William, and member of the PWCo Historic Commission and Cemetery Committee Chairman;

Martin Nohe, Coles District Supervisor (currently serving his third term in office);

Don Wilson, Director of RELIC (Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center), Bull Run Regional Library;

Julie Langan, Acting Director and State Historic Preservation Officer, Virginia Department of Historic Resources ("DHR"); and

Joanna Wilson Green, Archaeology Stewardship and Easements, Office of Preservation Incentives, Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Prince William County Schools ("PWCS") was invited to send a representative to the forum panel.  Since the first School Board Meeting of 2014 coincided with the forum, PWCS declined due to a scheduling conflict.

The forum was as interesting as it was informative.  Dr. Olsen provided a timeline of the events surrounding the PWCS's discovery and removal of the 100+ year old cemetery on their 12th High School construction site;

Mr. Nohe spoke of the County's limits with regard to cemeteries found on public/County sites and the need for County-level legislation, and what may (or may not) be done to try and prevent the 12th High School graves situation from happening again.   (I should note that a similar situation has already arisen in PWCo, involving the Norman family cemetery behind the Coles Fire House which has plans to expand their facility -- over the cemetery.)

Mr. Wilson spoke of the historical and genealogical detective work conducted by RELIC staff and volunteers to determine the chain of title for the 12th High School site and, ultimately, the identity of the cemetery on the property.  (An especially challenging task, considering RELIC was not informed of exact coordinates or that the title search was meant to determine the identity of a cemetery.)

Ms. Langen and Ms. Green spoke about Virginia Burial Law and the DHR's guidelines with regard the removal of cemeteries in the Commonwealth, the distinction between old or "historic" cemeteries, and what authority DHR has and does not have.

It was learned that on the day of the forum, Delegate Anderson of Richmond submitted a "place holder" Bill to the Richmond Legislature proposing new guidelines and improvements to the cemetery law with regard to the discovery of unmarked/unidentified cemeteries in the Commonwealth.  In its infant stages, DHR, the PWCo Historic Commission, and other interested parties in the name of cemetery preservation will be offering suggestions to hopefully help it become Law.

If you were unable to attend and would like to watch this informative discussion, a video of the forum can be found here.