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.

Will: Daniel King (1849)

Will of Daniel King
PWCo. Will Book P, pg. 452
Proved: 7 January 1850

I Daniel King do hereby make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say.

1st. I desire that all the perishable part of my estate be immediately sold after my decease and out of the monies arising therefrom all my just debt and funeral expenses be paid.

2nd. I leave all my real estate to John Posey provided he will take care of me during my life, but should I recover from my sickness I reserve as much Barrel Timber as I can work up, and neither he the sd. Posey nor myself shall be at liberty to sell any of the Timber but mearly to work it up for the best advantage of us both but should I die then the sd. Posey is at full liberty to do as he pleases with it. 

In witness whereof I hereunder set my hand and affixed my seal this 19th day of November 1849.

Daniel King [X his mark] {seal}

Teste,
Levi C. Lynn
William Posey [X his mark]
William S. Cornwell [X his mark]

In Prince William County Court January 7th 1850

This last Will and Testament of Daniel King decd. was presented to the court & being proved by the oaths of William Posey & William S. Cornwell witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded; and on the motion of John Posey administration with the will annexed on the Estate of said Daniel King decd. is granted to him, who came into court & took the oath prescribed by law & entered into and acknowledged a Bond with security as the law directs. 

Teste, J. Williams  C.C.

Will: James Green (1807)

James Green Will
PWCo. Will Book I, pg. 354
Proved: 5 October 1807

In the name of God Amen, I James Green of Prince William County and State of Virginia, being now sick and weak in body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be to the Almighty God who gave them & hoping he will receive my soul at the last day and now concerning my worldly goods & after all my just debts are paid.

Imprimus my Will and wish is for my loving wife Frances Green to hold and enjoy all my property of every description for & during her natural life or Widowhood; and if a division should take place in her life my desire is that the Land be equally divided into three parts agreeable to quantity and quality and my wife Frances Green to draw for a Choice in obtaining her third.

Also my desire is that as my oldest son George Green has already had to the amount of Forty dollars in property for her my said wife Frances Green to furnish each and very of the other children with the same amount of Forty Dollars as they may com of age, marry, or see cause to leave her that is if they leave her in a becoming manner & provided it may at all times answer her convenience but is not to be restricted on in case it does not.

Also, my desire is that my three youngest daughters be educated as much as may be thought necessary by my Executors or Administrators. My desire also is that after the marriage or decease of my wife Frances Green that my property be distributed among all my children agreeable to the intention of the Law in such cases and as to what money which may on a settlement appear to be due from me from my Brother Thomas Green my desire is that it may be put to the best advantage by my Executors as the law may direct. 

My Executors whom I appoint and wish to serve in administering justice in every case above mentioned is my Brother Thomas Green and Jesse Green and lastly I recommend my body to the Grave there to be buried in decent burial agreeable to the direction of my friends & Executors. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th Jany in the year of our Lord Anno Domini 1807.

James Green

Sign'd Sealed & delivered in the presence of us
Philip Warder Junr.
Bain Posey
Peggy {X her mark} Posey

At a Court held for Prince William County October 5th 1807.

This last will and testament of James Green dec'd was presented to the Court by Thomas Green one of the Exors therein named who made oath thereto according to Law and the said Will being proved by the oaths of Bain Posey and Philip Warder Junr. the same is ordered to be recorded and the said Exor having performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him fo obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste   J. Williams   Ct. Cur.

Military Monday: Second Colored Selectee Called in Prince William (1941)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
31 May 1941

SECOND COLORED SELECTEE CALLED IN PRINCE WILLIAM

MANASSAS, Va., May 31-- Woodrow Wilson Mountjoy, colored, of Joplin, who has been ordered to report to the induction station in Richmond Monday, will be the second colored man drafted from Prince William County. Leroy Brown of Thoroughfare was the first. All other colored men who have been accepted have been volunteers.

Alvoy Aubrey Bates of Dumfries has been ordered to Richmond June 5 to complete call No. 14.

Six men have been ordered to report to Dr. J. McIver Jackson for physical examination today. They are Manie Wilford Strouth, Emery Franklin Liming, Dallas Horace Posey and Walter Reid, Manassas; Elwood Kerns, Waterfall, and Ralph Donnaly Foster, Haymarket.

Sunday's Obituary: Melvin Posey

Manassas Journal
5 September 1935

FATAL ACCIDENT A WOODBRIDGE

Melvin Posey Killed in Auto Smash

Melvin Posey, age 28, an employee on the Corbin Thompson Dairy Farm at Woodbridge, was instantly killed Sunday morning when the car which he was driving collided with a large truck on the Jefferson Davis Highway. Herbert Boxley, colored, an occupant of the Posey car, was injured. Both men were taken to the Marine Hospital at Quantico, where Posey was pronounced dead and Boxley treated for his injuries, which consisted chiefly of a broken arm and lacerations.

Funeral services were held for Mr. Posey at the Woodbine Baptist Church at Canova. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Jane Posey; four sisters and one brother.

Newspaper Tidbit: Hite Family Reunion (1938)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
27 November 1938

HITE FAMILY'S REUNION HELD IN VIRGINIA

The reunion of the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Nebraska D. Hite of Fairfax County was held Thanksgiving Day at the family home near Oakton, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Hite first lived in Page County, Va., and moved to Shenandoah County in 1878, near Lebanon Church. In 1904 they moved to Prince William County and the following year they settled on the place near Oakton, where Mrs. Hite died in 1924 and Mr. Hite two years ago.

The reunion next year will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Hite near Vienna, Va. Among those who attended the reunion Thursday were Mrs. Gertie Hockman of Falls Church Va., and her children; Mr. Henry Hockman, Mr. and Mrs. Posey and their son Rapley; Mr. Hite Hockman, Mrs. Ernie Van Ostrand of Orlando, Fla., and her two daughters, Omalee and Golda, of Washington; Mr. and Mrs. C. I. Brumback of Stephens City, Va. and children; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory of Washington and children, John, Charlene and Barbara Gregory; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brumback and son Richard of Winchester, Va.; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Brumback of Stephens City; Mrs. Mattie Lee Petrie of Bethesda, Md.; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Petrie and daughter Betty Jane of Winchester; Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Simpson of Winchester; Mr. Billy Brumback of Stephens City; Mrs. Lena Monday of Vienna, Va.; Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Blincoe of Cherrydale, Va. and children; Hilda and Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Blincoe of Lyon Village, Va.; Mr. and Mrs. Stage Hite and children, Vida, Effie Lee and Stanley, of Vienna; Mr. and Mrs. William Hite of Vienna and children; Betty and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Martin and son, Harold, jr., of Falls Church; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hite and children, Milton, Peggy and Jerry, of Lyon Village.

PWCo. Items: 28 August 1871

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)
28 August 1871

PRINCE WM. COUNTY.--[From the Manassas Gazette]--We understand that the farmers around Nokesville are procuring large quantities of lime to be used upon their fall sowing of wheat. They procure it from the kilns of Messrs. Garson & Co., at Riverton, near Front Royal.

During the past week the weather has been intensely hot, and our farmers have been anxiously awaiting rain that the sufferings crops might be benefitted thereby. On Wednesday night some rain fell, which will prove beneficial to the gardens, but many fear the corn crop is too far gone to be saved.

A fight took place some time last week near Independent Hill in the lower part of this county, between two coopers, named James Posey and Wm. Beavers. Posey was severely injured by a hatchet in the hands of Beavers.

The camp meeting which has been in progress near this place since last week closed on Friday morning. Brentsville, Manassas, Dumfries, Hartfod, Beadley, Clifton and other places were represented by tents on the ground. It was throughout a most orderly and quiet camp meeting.

Rev. Mr. Bain commenced a series of protracted meetings at the Methodist church on Friday night last.

Military Monday: Men Receive Discharges

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
1 January 1946

14 Virginia County Men Receive Discharges

Manassas, Va., Jan. 1 -- Among Prince William County servicemen who have received their discharges recently are:

William H. Crummett, Nokesville, Army
James L. Gregory, Manassas, Army
Lewis J. Carper, Manassas, Army
Walter F. Davis, Woodbridge, Army
Cleveland H. Flory, Nokesville, Army
James L. Mayhugh, Bristow, Army
Robert L. Leith, Manassas, Army
Francis C. Wilson, Haymarket, Army
Vittorio Feriazzo, Triangle, Marines
James A. Douglas, Thoroughfare, Navy
James B. Muddiman, Manassas, Army
Maurice Posey, Manassas, Army
Howard C. Payne, Manassas, Army
Chester F. Smith, Dumfries, Marines
Howard E. Tribby, Manassas, Marines

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!

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

Wednesday's Child: David Posey

Woodbine Church Cemetery
Photo by C.Lynn

OUR DARLING

DAVID

POSEY

1929 - 1931

BABY

Mappy Monday: Upper Independent Hill

Below is a snippet from the Library of Congress's copy of the 1862 Map of N. Eastern Virginia and Vicinity of Washington that shows some of the landowners of the day.  Copies of the full map can be ordered through the LOC.

Thriller Thursday: The Fair Family

'Thriller Thursday' is a blogging prompt suggested by Geneabloggers, highlighting "murders, bizarre accidents or other thrilling stories" in family history.

In Prince William County, there may not be a more bizarre and tragic turn of events than those that plagued the Fair Family.  To quote the subheading of the newspaper account below, the Fair story is a tale of "wrecked homes, black fratricide, murders, suicides, and kindred disasters ... [that] would sound cheap in fiction, but these are the sordid facts."

The following was published on February 27, 1910 in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA)
February 27, 1910