Will: Alexander Reid

Will of Alexander Reid
PWCo Will Book S, pg. 376
Dated 31 October 1874; Proved: 5 April 1875

I Alexander Reid of the County of Prince William State of Virginia being in sane mind, but in declining health do make this my last Will & Testament hereby revoking all other Wills in the following manner to wit:

1st I will to my Brother Silas Reid two notes on J. Warder Davis, amounting to $200 - and falling due as follows. One note due 1st December 1875 the others due 1st of December 1876 and lastley I constitute and appoint my Brother Silas Reid executor of this my last will and testament.

Given under my hand & seal this 31st day of Oct. 1874

Alexander Reid [x his mark] {seal}

Signed sealed & acknowledged in the presence of 

Thomas J. Simpson
Silas Simpson

In Prince William County Court April 5th 1875

The last Will & Testament of Alexander Reid decd was this day produced in Court by Silas Reid the Executor therein named and being proved by the Oaths of Thomas J. Simpson and Silas Simpson the subscribing witnesses thereto was ordered to be recorded. And on motion of Silas Reid the said executor who made oath and together with Joseph B. Reid & John L. Reid his securities who justified as to their sufficiency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $500 conditioned according to law which bond is ordered to be recorded. Certificate is granted the said Reid for obtaining a probate of said Will in due form.

Teste, L. A. Davis, Clerk

Church Record Sunday: Deed: Johnson to Bethlehem Church

Johnson to Bethlehem Church
PWCo Deed Book 28, pg. 433

This deed made and entered into this 15^th day of November 1871 between Emily E. Johnson of the one part, and F. A. Weedon, George W. Hixson, Francis M. Lewis, Henry C. Steers & Benjamin F. Lewis, Trustees for the Bethlehem Church of the second part all of the County of Prince William & state of Virginia, Witnesseth, that the said Emily E. Johnson hath this day sold to the said Trustees a certain lot or parcel of land (being a part of the land bought of Geo. W. Mitchell adjoining the land belonging to the heirs of Joseph Johnson) as site for a meeting house for the exclusive use of the old school or Primitive Baptist church called Bethlehem, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and bounded as follows, viz., Beginning at A (on plat) a stone at the angle of the road a corner to entire lot thence along the west side of the road with a line of said lot S20’ W31 poles to B a stone S30 ½ W12 poles to C another stone in a line of the entire lot, thence leaving the road N29 ¼ W52 pole to D a large water oak & gum on the east side of a branch, thence w/i the said branch making the meanders thereof the boundary N11 ¼ W10 poles N23E15 poles, N46E12.32 poles to F w gum on the east bank of the branch, thence leaving the branch N68 ½ E7 poles to the beginning, containing two acres and nineteen poles, to have and to hold the said lot of land for the only proper use & behoof of the said Bethlehem Church, and I the said Emily E. Johnson do hereby warrant and defend the said lot of land against all claims or claim whatsoever.  Given under my hand and seal the date above written.

Emily E. Johnson {seal}

Prince William County Court to wit

   I hereby certify that Emily E. Johnson whose name is signed to the within deed bearing date on the 15^th day of November 1871, personally appeared before me in my said County and acknowledged the same. Given under my hand this 5^th day of December 1871.

W. McLean J.P.

In the Clerk’s Office of Prince Wm. County Court Decem. 11^th 1871

   This deed from Johnson to Weedon & others Trustees for Bethlehem Church with certificate annexed was received and admitted to record.

Teste, L. A. Davis  Clerk

 

 

Will: Sarah C. Calvert

Will of Sarah C. Calvert
PWCo. Will Book O, pg. 422
Executed 21 August 1839; Proved 2 September 1839

I Sarah C. Calvert of the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia being at this time sick but of sound memory and disposing mind, do make this my last will and testament. 

1. I give to my son Robert A. Calvert slaves, Lewis, Henry, and William and the increase of the said slave Henry to have & to hold the same to him and his heirs forever.

2. I give and devise to my said son Robert A. Calvert and  his heirs slaves Ned, Delia, and Julia, and the future increase of the females to hold the same in trust, for the use and benefit of my daughter Chloe Ann Cooper, wife of Benjamin Cooper, for her sole and separate use after the death of the said Benjamin Cooper her husband, should she survive him, and in the mean time to permit the said Benjamin Cooper and Chloe Ann his wife to take possession of said slaves and to have their services and hires without accountability to the said Robert A. Calvert for and during their joint lives; and then for the survivor of them during his or her life, and after the death of both of them, then for the use of the children of the said Benjamin and Chloe Ann issuing from their marriage born or hereafter to born until the youngest of them shall attain the age of twenty one years, at the happening of which last event the trust herein reposed in the said Robert A. Calvert shall cease and the said slaves and their increase shall thenceforth be the property of the children issuing from the marriage of the said Benjamin Cooper and Chloe Ann his wife and their heirs to be equally divided between them.

3. I give and bequeath to my son Robert A. Calvert one bedstead bed and furniture.

4. I devise to Lucien Alexander Davis son of my daughter A. F. who intermarried with William W. Davis one bedstead bed and furniture; also, one hundred dollars to be paid to him by Robert A. Calvert one of my Executors to be hereafter named upon his arrival at the age of twenty one years, and should he the said Lucien Alexander Davis die before his arrival to that age, then I give and devise the said bedstead, bed and furniture to my said son Robert A. Calvert and his heirs forever.

5. I give to my grand daughter Sarah C. Cooper one bedstead bed and furniture.

6. I give to my grand daughter Mary Virginia Cooper one bedstead bed and furniture.

7. I devise to my son Robert A. Calvert the sum of one hundred dollars herein before given, by the 4th clause in this my will to Lucien Alexander Davis provided the said Lucien Alexander Davis shall die under the age of twenty one years.

8. The residue of my estate real personal or mixed I devise to my daughter Chloe Ann Cooper and to my son Robert A. Calvert to be equally divided between them, they paying in equal portions my just debts, and funeral expenses.

9. And lastly I appoint Robert A. Calvert and Benjamin Cooper executors of this my last will and testament. Given from under my hand the 21st day of August A.D. 1839.

Sarah C. Calvert [X her mark]

Signed sealed published and declared by the testatrix as and for her last will and testament in her presence and in the presence of each other.

Moses Arnold
Nancy Sidebottom [X her mark]
M. B. Sinclair

At a Court held for Prince William County Sept. 2d 1839

This last Will and testament of Sarah C. Calvert decd was proved according to law by the Oaths of Moses Arnold and Mordecia B. Sinclair witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Robert A. Calvert and Benjamin Cooper the Executors named therein who made oath thereto and together with Alexander Howison and Charles G. Howison their securities, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $8000 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.

Teste   J. Williams  c. c. 

Newspaper Tidbit: Old Vets Send in Photographs (1913)

Manassas Journal (Va.)
31 January 1931

Old Vets Send in Photographs

In response to the request of Mrs. Maggie Barbour that Veterans of the Southern Confederacy send to her their photograph to be included in a group to be framed and hung in the Chapter room of the Manassas Chapter of the U.D.C., she has received the following:

In uniform: Lieuts. Robert Weedon and John Williams.

Not in uniform: Captains P. D. Williams, Lucien A. Davis; Jas. R. Purcell, Whitfield Nutt, Henry Lynn, Thos. Marders, Richard Shepherd, Willie Williams, Robt. H. Hooe, John R. Tillett, Francis A. Merchant and Chas. A. Dunnington.

Mrs. Barbour is anxious that other Confederate Veterans respond to her request for their photographs, for the object named, at as early date as possible.

Will: Grandison Tansill

Will of Grandison Tansill
PWCo Will Book T, pg. 351
Proved: August 1882

In the name of God Amen; I Grandison S. Tansill of Fauquir, State of Virginia, being perfectly sound in mind and memory, and influenced by no other desire than to do what is just, right and proper; do make this my last Will, and Testament; as followd, to wit. ~~

I do give and bequeath all my effects both real and personal (after paying all my just debts) to my wife Sarah Catharine to dispose of as she may deem fit; and do hereby appoint my wife the said Sarah Catharine the Executrix of this my last will and testament.  Witness my hand and seal this Fifteenth day of January Eighteen Hundred and Sixty Seven.

G. S. Tansill {seal}

Signed and sealed in the presence of 
C. F. Anderson
James Spence

In Prince William County Court August Term 1882

The last will and testament of G. S. Tansill dec.d was this day presented to the Court and the signature thereto fully proven by the oaths of Edmund Burkley and ordered to be recorded.

Teste   L. A. Davis  clk.

Will: Chapman Copin (1878)

Will of Chapman Copin
PWCo. Will Book T, pg. 209
Proved: 7 June 1880

In the name of God Amen, I CHAPMAN COPIN of Prince William County and State of Virginia, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do make this to be my last will and testament as follows, viz.

I give and bequeath all of my personal and real estate of whatever manner, kind and discription after the payment of my funeral expenses and all just debts to my wife ANNIE COPIN to hold as a support during her natural life, and at her death to descend to my son CHARLES MILTON COPIN alias CHARLES MILTON HOPKINS and his heirs forever. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son the said CHARLES MILTON COPIN alias CHARLES MILTON HOPKINS executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other and former wills and testaments by me heretofore made. 

I request that the Court in which my son the said CHARLES MILTON COPIN alias CHARLES MILTON HOPKINS may qualify as my said Executor, shall not require him to give any security as such Executor.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 23d day of September in the year of Our Lord eighteen hundred and Seventy eight.

CHAPMAN COPIN  {seal}

Signed Sealed published and declared by the Testator CHAPMAN COPIN, as and for his last will and testament, and in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses.

JNO. G. TAYLOR
M. N. LYNN
LEWIS E. JONES

In Prince Wm. County Court June 7th 1880

The last will and testament of CHAPMAN COPIN decd. was this day presented to the Court, and the Signatures thereto ____ proved by the Oaths of JNO. G. TAYLOR and L. E. JONES subscribing witnesses thereto and was ordered to be recorded as the true last Will and Testament of CHAPMAN COPIN decd.  And then upon CHARLES MILTON COPIN alias CHARLES MILTON HOPKINS the Executor named in the said Will qualified as executor of said COPIN in accordance with said will requiring no security in a bond in the penalty of $600, conditioned according to law which bond is ordered to be recorded, certificate is granted the said COPIN alias HOPKINS for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.

Teste,  S. A. DAVIS   Clk.

Manassas Items: 13 December 1914

Sun (Baltimore, MD)
13 December 1914

MANASSAS

PAUL PORTNER, of Washington was a guest his week at Annaburg. Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Nash entertained at a dinner at their residence on Church street, the guests including Mr. and Mrs. J. R. B. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. I. E. Cannon, Mr. Nash's niece, Mrs. Bresnahan, and Washington. Miss Margaret Lynch was the guest of Miss Winifred Bronson, of Washington, for the week-end. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey Taylor have returned to Norfolk after spending several days with relatives here. Mr. and Mrs.H. L. Bouncy, of Clarendon, were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Davis, at Bristow, for the week-end.

Local Masons who attended the Knights Templar banquet at the Plains recently were: Hon. C. J. Meetze, C. E. Nash, I. E. Cannon, W. H. Brown, O. D. Waters, J. R. B. Davis, H. P. Davis, G. W. Merchant, H. T. Davis, R. S. Hynson and T. F. Coleman. The Messrs. Bucker, of Clarendon, were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Davis, at Bristow, last week. Harvey Janney has returned to Manassas after spending a week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tyson Janney, at Occoquan. Miss Lena Akers was the guest of her sister, Mrs. William Gulick, in Washington, last week.

Miss Ida Camper, of Orange, is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Henry Camper. Miss Lucy Buck and Miss Glasscock, of Agnesville, were week-end guests at the home of Doctor and Mrs. R. C. Buck.

In Chancery: Notice of Deposition: McNair/Lipsicomb (1867)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
18 March 1867

TO CLARA McNAIR AND HER HUSBAND, name unknown, Stephen McNair, Fred. McNair, Henry McNair, Robt. McNair, Dolph McNair, Geo. W. Brent, and Francis J. Cannon, Sheriff of Prince William Co., Committee Administrator of John McNair, deceased,

Take notice, that I shall, on the 15th day of April, 1867, at the law office of Aylett Nicol, in the town of Brentsville, Prince William Co., Va., between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., of that day, proceed to take the depositions of WM. E. LIPSICOMB and others, to be read as evidence in my behalf. in a certain suit in equity, depending in the Circuit Court for the said county of Prince William, wherein I am plaintiff and you are defendants; and if from any cause the taking of the said depositions be not commenced on that day, or if commenced be not concluded on that day, the taking of the same will be adjourned and continued from day to day, or from time to time, at the same place and between the same hours, until the same shall be completed.

FRANCIS A. T. DAVIS

Prince William Co., Va., Mar. 12--law4w

Wedding Wednesday: Gray-Groves / Jones-Carney / Davis-Abel

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
1 January 1866

MARRIED

On the 24th ultimo, by Elder John Clark, Mr. WM H. GRAY and Mrs. MARGARET ANN GROVES, both of Prince William Co.

Also, on the 26th, by the same, SHIRLEY JONES, and Miss MARTHA CARNEY, both of Prince William co.

Also, on the 28th, by the same, JOHN L. DAVIS, esq., and Miss SOPHIA ABEL, both of Prince William co.

Division of Land per Will of Joseph R. Lynn

The following division of land "pursuant to the will of Joseph R. Lynn" does not appear to have been recorded in an existing PWCo Deed Book. Several volumes of pre-Civil War Deed Books were lost or destroyed, so this may be the only record of this land transfer.  Also worth noting is that this division of land also includes the maiden names of the of the wives mentioned therein.  ~ cgl

Division of Joseph R. Lynn's Land
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 290

Pursuant to this will of Joseph R. Lynn dec'd by the requests of Wm. M. Lynn the Exor of said will we the undersigned, acting as Commissioners have this day proceeded divide the land of decd in Prince William County on the waters of Quantico whereon the said Lynn formerly lived where he was a resident of Prince William County. And we have allotted the North Western portion as is hereby laid out to William B. Davis Virlenda N. Davis his wife formerly Virlenda N. Lynn. Beginning at the road where the said land formerly ran on the line between the said Lynn decd & Joshua Taylor and running as the said line goes North 72 West as may be run in the old plot which is dotted of in said plot a straight course with said Joshua Taylors land to a stone corner in the eight line in the said old plot then S41W to a stump thence S15E 63 poled thence S 44E 107 to maple in the run thence with the Hayfield land as the fence now runs till it strikes the 13th line on said plat about 50 poles North of the stone pile which is corner to the south and of the 13th line where we have established a corner at small box oak about 10 feet from where the fence now stands East of said fence thence a straight line now and East corner to a lopped white oak on the East side of the Main Road thence up said road as it now goes to the beginning supposed to contain upwards of two hundred acres and the balance of said tract to Basil Cole & Rebecca C. Cole his wife formerly Rebecca C. Lynn. Given under hands this 22d day of October 1845.

S. Lynn
Joshua Taylor (Comr)

In Prince William County Court June 7 1847

This division of the land of Joseph R. Lynn was returned to Court & ordered to be recorded.

Teste, J Williams  c.c.

Newspaper Heraldry: Wickcliffe

Sun (Baltimore, MD)
17 October 1907

Messrs. Editors:

For the benefit of your correspondent who signs himself "Pottenger," and who wishes to find the name of the wife of Joshua Ferguson, I send the following:

Elijah McWiliffe, the immigrant, came with his family to America from England with five sons -- Moses, Aaron, Robert, Charles, Nathaniel -- and three daughters -- Sarah, ---, --- (Book 4, Nelson County Records).

Nathaniel Wickcliffe, late of Prince William county, State of Virginia, died in 1790 intestate; land passed to his next of kin, to wit: John Kincheloe, Daniel Kincheloe, Cardius Kincheloe and Dorcas, his wife; Robert Kincheloe, William Wheatley and Elizabeth, his wife; Presley Smith and Nancy, his wife; Joshua Ferguson and Mary, his wife; Arrington Wickcliffe, Moses Wickcliffe, Robert Wickcliffe and Sarah, his wife; Henry Davis and Mary, his wife; who sell and convey it to Charles Wickcliffe, of Nelson county, Kentucky, and Robert Wickliffe, brother of said Nathaniel, who was heir at law of said Robert Wickcliffe, deceased; land granted to said Robert Wickcliffe bearing date June 1, 1782.

F.A.C.
Bardstown, KY

Newspaper Tidbit: Representative Moore Armistice Day Speaker

Richmond Times Dispatch (Va)
11 November 1925

REPRESENTATIVE MOORE ARMISTICE DAY SPEAKER

Elaborate Program Arranged for Prince William Celebration

[Special to the Times-Dispatch]

    MANASSAS, VA., Nov. 10 -- A company of marines from Quantico, a military band, several hundred World War veterans, Confederate veterans, nearly every secret fraternal order in Prince William County, and children from one school in each of the six magisterial districts will take part in an Armistice Day parade in Manassas tomorrow. The parade will be reviewed by Mayor Harry P. Davis, James R. Larkin, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Town Council and other town and county officials.

The parade will precede exercises to be held in connection with the planting on Lee Avenue of a memorial tree for each man from Prince William County who was killed or died in the service during the World War. A dinner for visiting World War and Confederate veterans will be served at the public school gymnasium after the exercises are concluded at 1:30 o'clock.

A football game will be played during the afternoon between the Swavely School, of Manassas, and Alexandria High School.

Representative R. Walton Moore and other prominent speakers will deliver the principal addresses at the memorial exercises. The memorial trees will be presented by Mayor Harry P. Davis and accepted by Wheatly Johnson, World War veteran. The memorial exercises will be held on the high school athletic field, where organizations taking part in the parade will be massed after the parade is concluded. The parade will start at 11 o'clock.

Several thousand people from Prince William and surrounding counties ae expected to witness the parade and exercises.

PWCo Items: Playground Indorsed/Purebred Hogs Distributed (1943)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
4 July 1943

Playground Indorsed.

The Manassas Town Council at a meeting this week indorsed the proposal of the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce providing for the use of a town lot situated between West street and Grant avenue as a colored playground. A committee of Chamber of Commerce representatives headed by Dr. George B. Cocke and representatives of the local colored populace headed by Dr. John Williams presented the plan to the council for approval. The playground will provide recreation for colored youths of the vicinity and will be under the direction of trained supervisors.

Purebred Hogs Distributed.

Seven Prince William County 4-H Club boys have been selected to receive the seven purebred Hampshire shows and one boar given to the county by Sears, Roebuck & Co. in their hog, dairy and poultry 4-H project designed to promote the production of better livestock in Northern Virginia. The seven boys, members of the Manassas-Nokesville 4-H Club, include Ray Smith, Lynn Hastings Herring, Leon Kline, Charles Fitzwater, jr.; Harold Hersch, Sidney Flickinger and Francis Joyce. The boar has been placed with Ray Smith.

Twelve additional purebred Hampshire pigs have been placed with members of the Occoquan-Bethel 4-H Club, according to Frank Cox, county agent. These, donated by individual farmers of Occoquan district, were distributed to George Thomas Selecman, Bobby Rigney, Buddy Reid, Augustus Davis, Edward Garber, Grover Manderfield, William Douglas Clarke, Bobby Tyrrell, Vernon Dawson and Frances Anne Garner.

Donors of the purebred Hampshire pigs placed with Occoquan-Bethel 4-H Club members include T. Powell Davis, Wilmer Garber, George Selecman, G. C. Russell, P. C. Wigglesworth, Gilmer Garber and F. B. Morgan.

Bill of Sale: Owens to Pattie (1875)

Bill of Sale from Owens to Pattie
PWCo. Deed Book 30, pg. 218

This is to certify that I have this day sold to B. F. Pattie all my interest in a crop of wheat on Carters Green cultivated by Jimmy Smith for the sum of two hundred and twenty-five dollars, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged as Witness my hand and seal this 23d June 1875.

Jno. S. Owens

Prince William County, to wit:

Personally appeared before me Edmund Berkeley a Justice of the Peace of said County J. S. Owens who acknowledged the above to be his act and deed.

Edmund Berkeley J.P.

In the Clerks Office of Prince William County Court June 26 1875

This Bill of Sale from Owens to Pattie with a certificate annexed was received and admitted to record.

Teste, Lucien A. Davis  Clerk

Will: Aylett Nicol

Will of Aylett Nicol
PWCo Will Book T, pg. 45
Proved: 5 June 1878

In the name of God Amen: I Aylett Nicol of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia do hereby make this my last will and testament as follows to wit:

Having already by deed of Marriage Settlement given to my wife and her children certain real and personal property, I hereby give to my children by my former wife the remainder of my estate real and personal after the payment of my just debts.

I hereby appoint my wife and my daughter Ida Executrixes of this my last will and testament.

Given under my hand this 23rd day of May 1872.

A. Nicol

In Prince William County Court June 5th 1878

The last Will and Testament of Aylett Nicol dcd. was this day presented to the court and A. F. Woodyard and Lucien A. Davis being sworn testified that they were acquainted with the hand writing of the said  Nicol, and verily believed that the said writing together with the signature thereto was wholy written by the said Aylett Nicol. It is ordered that the said writing be recorded as the last true will of the said Nicol dcd. The Executrixes named in the said Will having this day renounced the burden of the executrix of the same, On motion of E. Nicol who made oath together with L. A. Davis his surety who justified as to his sufficiency entered into and acknowledged bond on the penalty of $300.00 conditioned as the law directs which bond is ordered to be recorded, certificate is granted the said C. E. Nicols for obtaining letters testamantory upon the Estate of Aylett Nicol dcd. in due form.

Teste, L. A. Davis  Clk

Will of Rev. John Towles

Will of John Towles
PWCo. Will Book T, pg. 538
Proved: 16 June 1885

I John Towles minister of the Lord Jesus Christ to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God being of sound mind do make this my last will and testament this the 16th day of July Anno Domini 1872 My soul I commend to God in the faith of the Gospel and in the hope of a blessed resurrection of my body.

All my estate real and personal I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sophronia E. Towles during the term of her natural life, and I hereby do appoint her my sole executrix, without security, to manage my estate to the best of her judgment for the benefit of my creditors for her own benefit, and that of our beloved children. Such portion of my estate as shall be left open after the payment of all debts, and as she shall see fit not to distribute to our beloved children during her natural life, but to hold in her posession and for her use up to the time of her death, I will after her decease to be equally divided between my three beloved children, Ella Towles, Churchill Towles and Leroy C. Towles. 

Witness my hand and seal, this the day and date first above written.

John Towles {seal}

Test:
John Manning
Albert M. Claggeth
G. S. C. Thomas


Prince George County Sct: June 16th 1885

Then came Albert M. Calgeth, one of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of John Towles late of said county deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he did see the testator therein named sign and seal said will, that he heard him publish, pronounce, and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehension of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding and capable of executing a valid deed or contract, that he together with George S. C. Thomas one of the other subscribing witnesses now deceased subscribed their names as witness thereof in the presence of the testator at his request, and in the presence of each other.

Sworn before A. G. Davey, Register of Wills


State of Maryland, Prince Georges County Sct:

I Alonzo G. Davey Register of Wills for Prince Georges County in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that the aforegoing is a true copy of the last will and testament and probate thereof of John Towles late of said county duly now of record in my office.

In Testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of the Oprhans Court of the aforesaid county this 16th day of June A.D. 1884.

Teste, Alonzo G. Davey, Register of Wills for Prince Georges County, MD {Seal}


Maryland Sct:

I Charles Clageth chief judge of the Orphans Court of Prince Georges County, in the State aforesaid, certify that the aforegoing attestation of Alonzo G. Davey, Register of Wills for said County, is in due form, and by the proper officer. Given under my hand at the town of Upper Marlborough this 16th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty five.

Charles Claggeth Chief Judge


State of Maryland Sct:

I Alonzo G. Davey Register of Wills for Prince Georges County in the state aforesaid do certify that Charles Clageth Esquire whose genuine signature is attached to the aforegoing certificate is and was at the time of signing the same, Chief Judge of the Orphan's Court of said County, duly commissioned and qualified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of the Orphan's Court aforesaid this 26th day of June A.D. 1885.

Alonzo G. Davey, Register of Wills


In Prince William County Court July 6th 1885.

An Authenticated copy of the true last Will and testament of John Towles decd was this day produced to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste, L. A. Davis   Clk

Will: Sophia C. M. Bullitt

Will of Sophia C. M. Bullitt
PWCo Will Book I, pg. 14
Proved: 2 January 1804

As I esteem it the duty of every individual to make such arrangements of his temporal concerns as may spare the survivors those difficulties and altercations that may otherwise arise, I mean with divine assistance to specify the manner in which I design my property to be disposed of after my decease; and I appoint my esteemed friends William Barnes and John Macrae executors of this my last will and testament.

My proportion of the Kentucky land I bequeath to be equally divided between my sisters Francis Garard, Sarah Barnes, and Helen Huie excepting a small legacy of Fifty Acres to my negroe boy Frederick, which fifty acres are to be of equal quality with my sisters portion. My negroes David Antony, Joan and her son Frederick I will should be emancipated after one years servitude from the time of my death during which year I desire that they may be hired out and the money arising from said hire must be appropriated to the payment of my debts. 

The Legacy of five hundred pounds the greatest part of which is yet due me from my fathers estate I direct to be equally divided between my sisters before mentioned after the following legacies are deducted. Viz. Fifty pounds to my niece Sophia Bullitt Garard, one hundred dollars to be appropriated to the education of poor children to be delivered in the hands of my esteemed friend Elizabeth Mason ten pounds to my friend and brother Thomas James Bullitt to purchase a mourning ring which I request him to accept as a small proof of my friendship and gratitude. I bequeath the same sum for the same purpose to my friend Lewis Hue Girarden. My house and lot I bequeath to my niece Helen Scott Huie, but if the hire of the negroes during one year from the time of my death is not sufficient to indemnify my creditors it must be rented out until all my debts are paid. One of my lots in Newport I devise to my niece Ann Foster Huie and the other to my niece Mary Barnes which each party is to receive by casting lots. Five guineas which were devised to me by my father in his will I bequeath to my nephew Thomas Barnes, my wearing apparel I direct to be divided between my nieces Helen and Ann Huie, my fortepiano I leave to Mary Barnes, my proportion of negroe Jenny's hire I bequeath to be annually paid into said Jenny's own hand, my body I bequeath to the dust from whence it came and my soul I recommend to the mercy of God through the merits of a redeemer.  I desire that my negroe boy Frederick should have three years schooling and that he should afterwards be bound to a trade for which purpose I have bequeathed to him the aforementioned fifty acres of land.

I wish that the money which I bequeath to my sisters may be appropriated to their own use independent of their husbands and I direct my Executors to place the money in the hands of proper Trustees to that effect. I desire that a claim which my Brother Thomas Bullitt has on me for a hundred dollars may be paid previously to my other debts. 

This I declare to be my last will and testament, and I again recommend to the God the Universe for whose mercy I humbly hope through the mediation of a blessed saviour.

Dumfries May 27th, 1803.

Sophia C. M. Bullitt

Teste
Benjamin Wells
James Rison
Peregin Davis

At a court held for Prince William County January 2nd, 1804.

This last will and testament of Sophia C. M. Bullitt deceased was presented to the Court and being proved by the Oath of Benj. Wells was ordered to be certified. John Macrae renounced in open Court the burthen of the Executor of the said Will. 

And at a Court Continued and held for the County aforesaid February the 7th 1804

This said last will and testament of Sophia C. M. Bullitt was fully proved by the Oath of James Rison and ordered to be recorded.

Test   J. Williams   Ct. Cur.

And at a Court continued and held for said county Feby. 5th, 1805.

William Barnes an Executor named in the Last Will and Testament of Sophia C. M. Bullitt decd came into Court and having proved the said Will according to Law, taken the Oath of an Executor and Executed a bond with security certificate is therefore granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Test   J. Williams   Ct. Cur.

PWCo Items: Manassas Gay With Yuletide Parties (1938)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
25 December 1938

MANASSAS GAY WITH YULETIDE PARTIES

Final Plans Are Made for Assembly Ball

Manassas, Va., Dec. 24 -- Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Owens will entertain 100 guests at an anniversary party preceding the assembly ball Tuesday evening. Mr. Owens' mother, Mrs. William E. Trusler, and her cousin, Miss Hilda Moser, will assist the hostess.

Final arrangements are being made for the assembly ball in the Manassas Gymnasium. On the Floor Committee are Mr. John Broaddus, Mr. Dennis Baker, Mr. Dudley Martin, Mr. Eugene Davis, Dr. R. T. Johnson, Mr. Lewis Carper, Mr. R. Jackson Ratcliffe and Mr. C. Wade-Dalton.

Mr. Emlyn Marsteller arrived last week end from Dartmouth to spend a three-week vacation with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. E. H. Marsteller.

Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Smith of Georgia are spending the holidays with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Baker.

Mr. E. R. Conner entertained at a dinner party today.

Mrs. B. Higgs Lewis will be hostess at bridge Monday afternoon at her home on Sudley road.

PWCo Item: Brentsville: April 26, 1869

Alexandria Gazette
28 April 1869

LETTER FROM PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

Brentsville, Prince William County, Va., April 26, 1869

A colored man named Wm Tuell, living near the town of Dumfries in this county attempted, yesterday, to kill his father. It seems there had been some dispute between William Tuell, jr., and another black man, in which the father of the former, also named William Tuel, interfered, and his son took a double barreled gun and shot him in the top of the shoulder near the collar bone. They were sitting at the supper table when the difficulty occurred and the shot fired, and the load is still in him. His recovery is generally despaired of, as his wound is a very severe one and at last accounts was bleeding profusely.

The criminal was arrested by Marshall Davis, esq., Deputy Sheriff, on a warrant issued by Wm. Frazier, esq., and was this evening brought to this place by Mr. Davis and lodged in jail. I understand a pistol and a very long knife were also found on Tuell's person.

This case will come before the grand jury at our Circuit Court, the second Monday in next month.

I am informed this is not the first offence of Tuell, but that he stabbed a white man some time since, and shot at a colored man but a short time before he attempted to kill his father.

TYRONE.

PWCo Item: Letter from Brentsville (19 May 1875)

 Alexandria Gazette
19 May 1875

Letter from Brentsville
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

BRENTSVILLE, May 17, 1875 -- The people of our county, for the last two or three weeks, have been considerably agitated over the claims of the many individuals who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of serving the county for the next three or four years, but the agony is over and once more local excitement is subdued and everybody is now busy planting corn and praying for rain. A primary election was held for the benefit of the several aspirants, and in all respects was satisfactory in eliciting an expression of the will of the people. Prince William has about one thousand Conservatives, but at the election, held on the second Saturday in this month, only about nine hundred and fifty votes were cast, and as far as your correspondent can learn, all the candidates, both victors and vanquished, were satisfied, with the exception of one of the nominees who has raised the black flag and decries all who voted for his opponents, and proclaims them as enemies to himself and the public.

Our Circuit Court convened on the 10th. There were no criminals to be tried. The grand jury found a true bill against R. G. Troth, colored, for an attempt to burn the barn of Wm. H. Dogan. The court certified the case to the County Court for trial, the law providing that misdemeanors shall be tried in the County Court. On the chancery side of the court a large number of decrees were entered and some cases disposed of finally. On the common law side more issues were decided than at any previous term of the court for several years past. The bar was well represented, Alexandria and Fauquier putting in a very creditable appearance.

An old lady, named Mrs. Davis, died near Independent Hill this morning at the advanced age of eighty-four.