Sunday's Obituary: Camper/Chinn/Lowman/Anderson

Easton Gazette (Easton, MD)
22 February 1873

CAMPER.--Near St. Michaels, on the 2d inst., after a protracted illness, John Camper, formerly of Brentsville, Va., in the 53d year of his age.

Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)
30 March 1906

Information has reached here that Fielding Chinn, colored, of lower Prince William county, was shot at an entertainment Saturday night at Occoquan by a negro named Johnson. Johnson made his escape. Chinn died Monday from his injuries.

New York Herald (NY)
20 August 1884

LOWMAN.--At Manassas,Va., Sunday, August 17, ELEANOR LUDLAM, wife of Harvey L. Lowman.

Philadelphia Inquirer (Phila., Pa.)
6 July 1885

FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.

WASHINGTON, July5--A fire, in which at least one life was lost, is reported to have occurred in a house occupied by a family named Anderson, at Woodbridge, Va., on Saturday morning. Woodbridge is a station on the Alexandria and Fredericksburg Road, near Quantico, about twenty-four miles from this city.

PWCo Items: 29 August 1874

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
29 August 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS.  [From the Manassas Gazette]

Only last week we published a letter from "our new city" (Potomac) to the effect that it was fast building up, and was going to have a bank, &c., and now we see the hotel keeper, Mr. Brick, advertises to sell out, and heads his advertisement, "being desirous of leaving the country," &c.  This looks bad for "our new city," for its first hotel keeper to leave right in the midst of the season.

The colored man, Henry Johnson, who was arrested last week at Woodbridge Station, on the A. & F. R. R., and lodged in jail, has been released on account of not being the guilty one.  The jailor and sheriff of Pittsylvania after seeing him, stated that he was not the man.

The amendments to the Constitution in regard to changing the townships into Magisterial Districts, will meet with a hearty approval in this community, as the people generally are getting very much out with the township system, believing firmly that it will never work satisfactorily.

We expect the $5,000, which was appropriated by Congress last winter for the deepening of Occoquan creek, to be made use of very soon now, as the dredging machine will commence operations in a short time.

Our young friend, J. Frederick Tansil, son of our townsman, Col. Rob. Tansil, has joined a Government surveying party, and expects to leave for the West some time during the fall.

Major B. B. Douglas and Hon. James B. Sener, candidates for Congress for this District propose to address the people of Prince William at Brentsville, on Monday, September 7th, Court day.

Occoquan has been improved very much this summer, in the way of new buildings, and it still continues.

Occoquan is to be incorporated into a city before long, according to the act of the Legislature.

Those Places Thursday: Woodbridge Farm

Alexandria Gazette
June 28, 1871

PUBLIC SALE OF REAL ESTATE

Will be sold, on the premises, at public sale, on 4th day (Wednesday) 26th of 7th mo., (July) the property known as the WOODBRIDGE FARM, situated on the Occoquan river, about two miles below the village of Occoquan, in Prince William county, Va., adjoining lands of Thomas Opp, George Myers, John G. Horner and William Selecman.  Said farm contains 814 75-100 acres, less --- actres conveyed to the Alexandria and Fredericksburg R.R. for the right of way through.  The land is of superior quality, the larger part being arable.

Sale at 3 o'clock p.m., when conditions, which will be liberal, will be made known.

ASA'HEL TROTH,
Attorney in fact for Samuel Troth

Prince William county, je 28-lawts

Friend of Friends Friday: Gerard Mason, Slave Owner

In 1849, Gerard Mason, slave holder and owner of "Wood Bridge" plantation, was killed by Agnes, a slave woman.  The accounts of the day vary, from self defense (in Northern newspapers) to murder (Southern).  Agnes was tried, convicted, and hanged in 1850.  Her ghost is rumored to haunt the Brentsville Jail, where she was confined and later executed.

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Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD) - December 21, 1849 - Mr. Gerard Mason, living near Colchester, Prince William county, was killed on yesterday by one of his servant women.  It appears Mr. M. had been from home, and returned under the influence of liquor.  He became offended with something the woman had done, and threatened to kill her with an axe; she warded off the blow, and wresting the axe from him, struck the blow that killed him.  The poor negro made no effort to escape.

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA) - January 10, 1850 - At the County Court of Prince William on Monday last, Agnes, a negro woman, the property of Gerard Mason, deceased, was tried for the murder of her master, found guilty, and sentenced to be hung.  In the absence of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the prosecution was conducted by Francis L. Smith and E. Hunton, and the defence by Daniel Jasper.  We learn from one who witnessed the trial that the evidence established, beyond a rational doubt, that Mr. Mason was killed in his bed, most probably whilst asleep, by blows inflicted with an axe by the accused.

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Alexandria Gazette - February 9, 1850 - NEGROES FOR SALE - I will offer for sale on the 14th inst., at Woodbridge, near Occoquan, Prince William Co. Va., seventeen likely young negroes.  Terms Cash.  - Richard Atkinson, Administrator of Gerard Mason, dec'd., Prince William County, feb. 9 - eots

Alexandria Gazette - January 19, 1850 - NEGROES FOR SALE - I will offer for sale, to the highest bidder, on the first Monday in February next, in Brentsville, before the front door of the Court House, for cash, two Negro Men belonging to the estate of Gerard Mason, dec'd. - Richard Atkinson, Adm'r of Gerard Mason, dec'd, Prince William Co., jan 7 - eots

Alexandria Gazette - September 20, 1823 - Twenty Dollars Reward. Ran Away from the subscriber, livingin Prince William County, Va. on the 15th instant, a negro man named BILL, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, between 20 and 25 years of age, one of his hands has been much burnt when a child, which prevents him from opening it.  His clothing consisted of country cloth much worn.  i will give the above reward for apprehending and securing said fellow so that I get him again, and reasonable charges if brought home.  Masters of vessels and others, are cautioned against carrying him off.  Gerard Mason, Sept. 18.

Alexandria Gazette - January 4, 1823 - RANAWAY from the subscriber on Sunday, the 3d of November, a black man named WILL, about five feet 7 or 8 inches high, between 40 and 45 years of age, had on when he went away a white round-about and black trowsers of trilled country coth.  He has lost two of his front teeth, has a down look when spoken to, and a scar on his nose.  He lived a few years ago with mr. Wm. McCarty, in Loudoun county.  I will give the above Reward for securing said Negro in any jail and all reasonable charges paid if brought home.  Gerard Mason.  Prince William County, (Va) dec 21