Travel Tuesday: Manassas Gap Railroad Stock

Alexandria Gazette
7 January 1851

MANASSAS GAP RAILROAD COMPANY -- 

The subscribers in the stock of this Company are hereby notified, that an installment of $3 upon each share of said stock, is required to be paid, on the 1st day of January next, and that a further installment of $1 upon each share is required to be paid on the 1st day of each succeeding month, for the next ensuing eleven months.

Payments will be made by the Stockholders residing in Alexandria, into either of the Banks of the town, and in the country, to the following agents, viz:

For the County of Fauquier -- To Messrs Samuel T. Ashby, Robert Beverley, Daniel Morgan, and Alfred Rector.

For the County of Prince William -- To Mr. Thomas B. Gaines.

For the Count of Warren -- to Messrs. Samuel Richardson, William Cook, and William Miller.

By order of the Board;

EDW'D GREEN, Clerk

dec 16--eotJan1&wtDec1'51

Will: John Fryer

John Fryer Will
PWCo Will Book I, pg. 6

John Fryer's last Will & Testament

In the name of God Amen I John Fryer of Prince William County Commonwealth of Virginia being weak and infirm in body but perfectly in my senses mind & memory and calling to mind the mortality of man that it is appointed for all men once to die I therefore ordain & make this & none other to be my last will and Testament in manner and form as follows.

Imprimis. I in the first place at Death commend my soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to be interred at the discretion of my Executors. Item I in the second place as ___ing my worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God in mercy to bestow upon me I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Elizabeth Fryer all my whole estate without reserve during her natural life and after her decease to be sold and equally divide amongst all my children. Item I in the 3rd place leave and ordain my beloved wife Elizabeth Fryer Executrix and my beloved friends William Gaines and James Foster Executors of this my last will and testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this thirty first day of May in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.

John Fryer {seal}

Signed and delivered in the presence of
Jabez Fryer
John Fryer Jnr
Tapley Fryer

At a Court held for Prince William County December 5th 1803

This last will and Testament of John Fryer dec'd was presented to the court by Elizabeth Fryer Ex. and William Gaines Exor therein named who made oath thereunto according to Law and the said will being proved by the oaths of John Fryer Jr. and Tapley Fryer was admitted to record and said Exorx and Exor having performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted then for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste
John Williams Cl. Cur.

Friend of Friends Friday: John Underwood

Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts)

2 June 1859

JOHN UNDERWOOD, a magistrate of Prince William county, Virginia, was indicted some months ago for speaking too freely on slavery.  He was tried and fined, but the decision was reversed by the higher court.  Some of his neighbors, at the late election, insisted upon voting for him for the legislature, and the following is the vote in the town of Occoquan, where he has always resided:

For Governor.

Letcher, dem., 48

Goggin, opp., 70

For House of Delegates

Underwood, rep., 56

Lynn, dem., 42

Merchant, dem., 9

Very well for Occoquon, which is the first town below Mount Vernon, on the Potomac.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Alexandria Gazette

4 May 1859

At a meeting of the Justices of the County of Prince William, convened in the Jury Room, on the 1st day of April Court, for the purpose of expressing our protest against sitting as Justices in connection with John Underwood as a justice of this county, 14 out of the 16 Justices being present, viz: B. E. Harrison, W. L. Carter, J. C. Weedon, L. C. Lynn, Z. A. Kankey, C. A. Nelson, E. Nelson, W. W. Thornton, H. Love, L. B. Butler, E. Gaines, J. Ewell, A. F. Woodyard, and J. B. Grayson, B. E. Harrison was called on to preside, and J. B. Grayson to act as Secretary.

On motion of W. W. Thornton, B. E. Harrison, L. C. Lynn, H. Love, and L. B. Butler were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Underwood and ask his determination, whether he persists in sitting as Justice. 

This committee withdrew and after a brief absence returned and by their chairman, Mr. Harrison, reported that they had conferred with Mr. Underwood, and that he adhered to his determination to sit as a Justice of Prince William County, when on motion Resolved, That the Chairman appoint one from each Magisterial District to report resolutions expressive of the sentiments of this meeting, to be place on the  minutes of the Court.

The chairman appointed W. W. Thornton, J. Ewell, Z. A. Kankey and E. Nelson, who withdrew and in a short time reported the following:

Whereas John Underwood had been charged and convicted of a misdemeaner by a Jury of this county, in uttering abolition sentiments, in contravention of law and repugnant to public opinion, and having been requested by a committee of Justices to waive his right to a seat on the bench of this Court, or to retract said sentiments, and having refused to do either: Therefore we unanimously resolve that in view of our duty to the public, we will organize this Court and place upon its minutes this our protest against the conduct and sentiments of said Underwood.

The Court being then opened, the foregoing preable and resolution were unaimously ordered to be entered on the minutes of this Court.

B. H. Harrison, Chairiman

J. B. Grayson, Secretary

Will: Margaret G. Roach (1858)

Margaret G. Roach Will

Prince William County Will Book R pg 132-133

I Margaret G. Roach of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory and desiring to dispose of my property, do hereby make my last will and testament in the manner and form following; that is to say 1^st I give and bequeath to my nephew John William Larkin, and to my niece Penelope Victoria Larkin all my estate, both real, personal, and mixed, to be equally divided between them to have and to hold the same to them and their heirs forever, and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint George W. Larkin executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 5^th day of May in the year 1858.

Margaret G. Roach {seal}

Signed, sealed, published and declared by Margaret G. Roach as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us, who at her request and in her presence have subscribed our names as witnesses.

Thos. W. Beedle

John Langyher

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for the Count of Prince William on the 2d day of August 1858.

This last will and testament of Margaret G. Roach deceased was proved by the oaths of Thomas W. Beedle and John Langyher, witnesses thereto, and is ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of George W. Larkin the executor therein named who made oath thereto and together with Edwin Gaines and John Y. Cundiff his securities (who justified as to his sufficiency) entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $600.00, conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a pr___r of the said will in due form.

Teste,

M. B. Sinclair clerk 

Will: John Biggs (1805)

JOHN BIGGS Will

Prince William County Will Book I, pt. 62

7 Apr 1804; proved 2 Sep 1805

In the name of God Amen I JOHN BIGGS of the County of Prince William being sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect memory do make constitute and appoint this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say after all my just and lawful debts are paid my desire is that my loving wife ELISABETH shall keep all my property together for the support of my children as hereafter named Viz. ANN, ELENOR, WILLIAM, FANNY, JAMES & ELIZABETH.  My further desire is that if my wife should marry she shall in that case be allow3ed a third party of my property and finally my will and desire is that after the death of my wife the whole of my property of what kind soever shall be divided among my children as above named and allotted and take possession of the residue for the benefit of my loving children aforesaid and hereby ordain, constitute my good friend FRANCIS MANUEL SENR. Executor of this my last will revoking and making void all wills heretofore made.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seale this seventh day of April 1804.

JOHN BIGGS  {seal}

Signed sealed published & declared as and for the last will & testament of the above named JOHN BIGGS in the presence of us

HENRY D. HOOE

RICE HOOE

SARAH GAINES

At a Court held for Prince William County Sept. 2^nd 1805.

This last will and testament of JOHN BIGGS decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oath of HENRY D. HOOE was ordered to be recorded.

Teste

JOHN WILLIAMS  Ct. Cur.

Sunday's Obituary: 13 March 1875

Alexandria Gazette
March 13, 1875

DIED

Near Centreville, March 6th, 1875, of consumption, MILES BRAMBLEE, aged 64 years, 1 month and 5 days.

Near Manassas, on the 6th of March, after a lingering illness, which she endured with Christian resignation, Mrs. SUSAN W. CLARK, consort of Wm. A. Clark, in the 53d year of her age.

Suddenlly, on the 8th instant, at her home, near Brentsville, Mrs. MARY CORNWELL, at an advanced age.

On the 8th of February, in Coles township, Prince William county, Miss LUCY KEYS, daughter of Mr. Thomas Keys, in the 19th year of her age.

At the residence of his mother, at Gainesville, on Monday, the 8th of march, 1875, THOMAS B. GAINES, of pneumonia, in the 29th year of his age.

Sunday's Obituary: John Gaines

Manassas Journal
January 17, 1913

DEATH OF MR. JOHN GAINES

Member of Co. A, Fourth Virginia Cavalry, Dies in His Home Tuesday Night

Mr. John Gaines, 76 years old, a member of Co. A, 4th Virginia Confederate Cavalry, and one of the best known citizens of the upper portion of Prince William county, died after a brief illness in his home near Hickory Grove, at an early hour Tuesday night of pneumonia.  The funeral took place from the home yesterday afternoon, Rev. W. E. Gibson, formerly pastor of the Middleburg church, officiating, and interment was made in the family burial ground near his former home.

The deceased, who was an honorable and upright citizen, kind neighbor, devoted husband and father, and a brave soldier who followed Lee and Jackson through many hard fought battles, is survived by his widow, three daughter, Mrs. George Galleher, Mrs. John Brawner, and Miss Lucy Gaines, and by an only son, Mr. Latham Gaines.

Mystery Monday: Couldn't Find His Estate

Alexandria Gazette
October 7, 1873

COULDN'T FIND HIS ESTATE -- A man from Ohio, who lately bought a farm somewhere in Fauquier county, was at Bristoe station a few days ago enquiring for it.  All he seemed to know was that he had bought a farm of a land agent, and paid for it, but he neither knew now where the land agent was, or his "earthly" possessions.  As he could learn nothing, he left, looking very sad.  Mr. Gaines seeing this, very kindly offered to sell him another farm, but the gentleman from Ohio looked sadder still, and went on toward the "Forrest."  ~ Manassas Gazette

Sunday's Obituary: Edwin Gaines

Alexandria Gazette – October 16, 1865

Mr. Edwin Gaines, a former well known citizen of Prince William Co., died suddenly, on Friday last, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad cars, while on his way to his new home in Nelson county. To many of our citizens, Mr. Gaines was well acquainted, and numerous friends hwere will regret his death.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette – November 6, 1858

Prince William County – The County Court for this county, Seymour Lynn Presiding Justice; Edwin Gaines, Edwin Nelson andn Levi C. Lynn, associate justices, commenced on Monday last. But few cases have been tried up to this time (Thursday morning).

Deed: Anderson to Brawner (8 August 1859)

PWCo Deed Book 25, page 87

Anderson to Brawner Deed of Trust

This deed made the 8^th day of August in the year 1859 between Richard Anderson of the one part and William Brawner of the other part all of the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia.  Witnesseth that the said Richard Anderson for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid him by the said William G. Brawner the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, doth grant and convey to the said William G. Brawner his heirs assigns etc a certain tract of land lying and being in the County of Prince William containing 127 acres more or less and known as lot no. 1 in the division of land of Ann Anderson of record in the clerks of the County Court of Prince William County, also the crop of rye and corn now on the said land.  In trust to secure to Edwin Gaines the payment of my note for one hundred and fifty dollars bearing even date herewith and payable on demand, and at any time when the said Edwin Gaines shall so direct the said William G. Brawner shall proceed to sell the said land and crop of rye and corn to the highest bidder at public auction for cash, and after having paid the expenses attending such sale, shall pay over to the said Edwin Gaines the amount of the said note with legal interest thereon, and shall then pay over to the said Richard Anderson all the residue of the proceeds of the said sale, witness the following signatures and seals

Richard Anderson

State of Virginia

Prince William Co to wit:

I William W. Thornton a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do certify that Richard Anderson, whose name is signed to the above writing bearing date the 8^th day of August 1859, has acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid, given under my hand this 8^th day of August 1859.

Wm. W. Thornton, J.P.

In Prince William County Court September 5^th 1859, this deed trust from Anderson to Brawner with Certificate annexed, was presented to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste, P. D. Lipscomb

Will: Basil Brawner (1817)

After posting yesterday's newspaper account regarding the Sad Accident at Alexandria to Basil Brawner in 1891, I thought I'd share this Will of another (older) Basil Brawner.

BASIL BRAWNER Will

Prince William County Will Book L, pg 95

24 Jun 1813; proved 01 Dec 1817

In the name of God Amen I BASIL BRAWNER of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs whilst I have strength and capacity so to do, do make and publish this my last will and testament in form and manner following.  Viz:  1^st I give and devise to my son WILLIAM BRAWNER the tract of land which I purchased of JAMES KEMPE and on which he the said WILLIAM now lives to his own proper use and behoof forever also I give and bequeath to him a negro boy named NED now in his possession.  2^nd I give and devise to my son JOHN BRAWNER two tracts or parcels of land Viz the one on which I now live being the tract which I bought of MILTON and the one on which he the said JOHN BRAWNER now lives being the tract which I purchased of MARJORAM, these tracts of land I do devise to his own proper use and behoof forever together with a negro girl named CELIA now in his possession.  3^rd To my daughter SARAH GAINES I give and bequeath two negro girls named HANNAH & MARY already in her possession, also one horse valued $50.  4^th to my daughter NANCY GAINS I give and bequeath negro girl DINAH and negro boy JEERRY already in her possession.  5^th The remainder of my estate I leave and will to be equally divided amongst my children and lastly considering the tract of land above devised to my son WILLIAM as being more valuable than the two parcels herein devised to my son JOHN, I do hereby will and determine that in case I should die before the payment for said tract is fully made that the said WILLIAM be bound in his person and effects to complete the same.  In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this  day of December in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

Witness present.

My will & desire is that there shall be another crop made at each place beside the present crop growing before a division of the estate shall take place & the money arising from the sales of the said crops shall be appropriated to the payment of my debts.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed my seal this 24^th day of June 1813.

BASIL BRAWNER   {seal}

Signed, sealed, delivered and acknowledged as & for my last will & testament

GEO. GRAHAM, DADE HOOE, WM. H. WINTER

At a Court held for Prince William County Decemr. 1^st 1817.  This last will and testament of BASIL BRAWNER decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oath of DADE HOOE and the handwriting of GEORGE GRAHAM a witness thereto who is dead being proved by the oath of CHS. EWELL and the handwriting of WM. H. WINTER another subscribing witness thereto who is absent without the Commonwealth of Virginia was proved by the oath of NATHAN HAISLIP and is ordered to be recorded and administration with the will annexed of BASIL BRAWNER decd is granted to JOHN BRAWNER who took the oath of an administrator and entered into and acknowledged a bond with security according to law.

Teste, PHIL. D. DAWE