Sunday's Obituary: Donald Lee Wilson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday's Obituary: George A. Hulfish

Richmond Times-Dispatch (Va)
31 August 1938

GEORGE A. HULFISH

Charlottesville-- Funeral services for George A. Hulfish, 94, who died here at the home of his son, Charles W. Hulfish, were held at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning at his former home at Haymarket.

Mr. Hulfish was born and reared in Prince William County, son of the late Garrett and Susan Hulfish. Other survivors are two sons, George W. and Thomas A. Hulfish of Alexandria, and a daughter, Mrs. C. B. Wilson of Kontfield, Cal. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. W. B. Smithers of Alexandria.

Newspaper Tidbit: Southern Claims Commission (1871) (1873)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
17 May 1871

The Southern Claims Commission were occupied yesterday with the cases previously mentioned. The claims were of the usual character, mostly for fencing burned, forage fed to cavalry, and wagon horses, poultry, &c., taken by Blenker's men in the early part of the war. To-day, May 17th, is allotted to the cases of Henry McWilliams, $55; Lewis McKenzie, late member of Congress, of Alexandria, $3,926; and James Nokes, of Nokesville, Va., $13,235. The Commissioners are still deliberating upon the best and safest means of taking the proofs in those cases that cannot, for any good reason, be brought before them personally.

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
16 April 1873

The Southern Claims Commission yesterday heard the claims of Wm. R. Snow, Thomas M. Smith and J. C. Wilson, joint owners of Clover Hill farm, in Prince William county, near Nokesville, $11,433, and Dr. S. C. Osmun, of the same place, for a claim of $4,951.

Newspaper Tidbit: Brentsville Items (20 Sept 1934)

Manassas Journal
20 September 1934

BRENTSVILLE

Mr. Jos. Keys and children visited Mrs. Keys' mother and sister last week in Rectortown, Va.

Miss Irma Wilson has returned to her home at Marshall where she enters second year high school.

Brentsville is glad to welcome Miss Dorothy Woodhouse back to the school this year.

Mr. and Mrs. Cash Keys and family returned from Washington last week after spending the week-end with Mrs. Keys' mother. Mrs. Keys attended the Daughters of America State session as a State representative in Washington.

Brentsville Community League will meet Friday night, Sept. 21, at 8 o'clock and it is hoped that as many as can will be present. The league is now working on a play to be given in October.

We see Mr. George Rhine driving his car again after his accident.

Master Lloyd Keys has returned to his home here after a minor operation and is able to return to his school again this week.

Mr. and Mr.s Blakemore visited Mr. and Mrs. George Nicely Sunday. Mrs. Goldie Nicely was home for Sunday.

We are glad to know that Mrs. Joe Keys is feeling much better after a lengthy illness, though still under the doctor care.

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

Amanuensis Monday: Bond: J. L. Keys and B. W. Storke

Prince William County
Deed Book 52, page 206
7 December 1903

Know all men by these presents that we J.L. Keys and B.W. Storke are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the just and full sum of five hundred dollars to the payment whereof well and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs, executors and administrators jointly and severally, firmly by these presents and as to this bond we hereby severally waive our homestead exemptions as to any right, claim or privilege to discharge any liability arising thereunder to the Commonwealth, or by virtue of the office or trust which said bond is given with coupons detached from bonds of this state. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound J.L. Keys was on the third day of November 1903, by the duly qualified voters of Prince William county, elected Supervisor of Prince William County for the term commencing on the first day of January 1904. Now if the said J.L. Keys shall faithfully discharge the duties of his said office or trust then this obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and effect.

J. L. Keys {seal}
B. W. Storke {seal}

In Prince William County Court, Dec. 7, 1903.

This bond from Keys to the Com. of Va. was presented to the court acknowledged by the obligors and ordered to be recorded.

Teste; E Wilson Clk

Wedding: Nicol/Wilson (1896)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
18 September 1896

The social event of the season in Manassas was the marriage September 16 at 3 o'clock p.m. in the M. E. Church South of Miss Maude Nicol to Mr. Geo. S. Wilson of Fauquier county. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Geo. T. Taylor of Fauquier. The church was beautifully decorated and crowded with invited guests. An evergreen arch spanned the chancel, from which hung a marriage bell. As the wedding party entered the church Mrs. B. P. Bowen of Brentsville sang "Oh, Promise Me," accompanied by her daughter on the organ. Mr. D. B. Wilson, brother of the groom, was the best man, and Miss Grace Nicol, sister of the bride, was maid of honor.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids were Mr. Holtzman of Washington and Miss Hixson of Manassas, Mr. Compter of Front Royal and Miss Lyon of Manassas, Mr. Kendall of Fauquier and Miss Simpson of Manassas, Mr. Gibson and Miss Leache of Fauquier, and Mr. Weir of Manassas and Miss Kincheloe of Brentsville. The flower maids were Julia Nicol, the little daughter of Judge Nicol, and Basie Ransdell, both nieces of the bride. As the party retired from the church Miss Bowen of Brentsville played the wedding march. The bride received many beautiful presents of silver.

Sunday's Obituary: Thomas Owen Taylor

Sun (Baltimore, MD)
28 January 1911

EX-MAYOR T. O. TAYLOR DEAD

Prominent Manassas Citizen Expires Suddenly at Home

Manassas, Va., Jan. 27. - Mr. Thomas Owen Taylor, a retired merchant, and former Mayor of Manassas for several successive terms, died of apoplexy at his home here late last night.

Mr. Taylor, who had been in feeble health for some time, left his home shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon for a walk to the post office.  After proceeding about half a block he turned back, reentered his home and, within a few moments, was stricken with apoplexy while seated in a chair. He never regained consciousness, dying seven hours later.

Former Mayor Taylor was the son of the late Joseph D. and Francis Housean Taylor, of upper Prince William county, Virginia. He was born October 12, 1834. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was in Texas and joined the Fifth Texas Infantry. Coming to Virginia with his command, he was in the battles of Seven Pines, the Wilderness and the Seven Days' fight around Richmond. Later he was a surgeon's assistant in Chimborazo Hospital, Richmond.

In 1868 he married Miss Anna Mary Smith of Baltimore. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Alfred Al Curtis, later Bishop Curtis, in Mount Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his wife and six children - Mrs. Alice A. Hutchinson, of Loudoun county, Virginia; Mr. T. Ramsay Taylor, of Norfolk; Miss Anna Selina Taylor, Mrs. Robert M. Weir and Mrs. C. Armistead Sinclair, of Manassas, and Mr. B. Conway Taylor, of Baltimore.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow at Trinity Episcopal Church and burial will be in the Manassas cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Dr. C. R. C. Johnson, Messrs. George C. Round, G. Raymond Radcliffe, H. F. Button, and W. Parker Wilson.

A s a mark of respect the public schools of Manassas were closed this afternoon.

Newspaper Tidbits: Periodicals Outside of PWCo

Richmond Planet – August 9, 1890

Rev. M. D. Williams of Manassas, Va. Writes:

            Manassas, Va., July 29, 1890.

Editor of the Planet:

            We are raising funds to beautify our house of worship here.  On Sunday last Rev. Rice, of Alexandria, and Rev. W. Harris were with us, collections raised amounted to $31.33 cents.  The North Virginia Baptist Association meets in Middleburg, Loudon county, Va., on the 20^th of August.

            I preached the funeral of Miss Kate Fletcher daughter of Brother Frank Fletcher, Thoroughfare Station, Prince William County.  She departed this life on the 20^th of July, in her 20^th year. She died a Christian.

            Yours:  M. D. Williams

Roanoke Daily Times – September 20, 1896

VIRGINIA BREVITIES.  A pretty wedding was solemnized at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Manassas Wednesday.  The parties were John S. Wilson, prominent merchant of Paris, Fauquier county, and Miss Maud E., daughter of the late Judge Aylett Nicol, of the county court of Prince William county, and sister of Judge Charles E. Nicol.

The Free Lance (Fredericksburg, VA) – December 29, 1900

Mr. Andrew J. Davis formerly of Prince William county, died in Washington last week at an advanced age.  His remains were taken to Brentsville for interment.

The Richmond Dispatch – April 21, 1901

Eppa Hunton, Jr., who has been nominated for the convention by the Democrats of Fauquier, is a son of General Eppa Hunton and Lucy Wier Hunton, and was born at Brentsville, Prince William county, April 14, 1855.  He was prepared for the University of Virginia at the Bellevue High School, Bedford county, and entered the University in the autumn of 1873, and received his diploma in the law department in 1877.  Soon after graduation the young attorney located at Warrenton, and has there diligently devoted himself to his profession ever since, achieving advancement therein.  He has never sought nor held political office, with the exception of a term in the Legislature, 1893-'94, to which he was elected by the Democrats of Fauquier and Loudoun counties.  His nomination for the convention was practically without opposition.

The St. Paul Globe (Minnesota) – June 10, 1902

A letter of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, dated Headquarters A. N. Va., Jan 31, 1863 and complimenting "Sergeant Mickler and his party" for gallantry "in a skirmish in the streets of Brentsville on the 9^th inst." Sold for $5.

The Colored American (Washington, DC) – September 20, 1902

Miss Estelle V. Hedgeman, of Brentsville, Va., has returned home after spending a few days in the city with friends.  She will shortly resume her residence here.  Miss Hedgeman was formerly employed in the Census, and is the owner of a farm near Brentsville.