Will: Thomas Newman

Will of Thomas Newman
PWCo. Will Book L, pg. 355-357
Proved: 2 April 1821

In the name of God Amen I Thomas Newman of the County of Prince William and state of Virginia do make this my last Will and Testament. Imprimis, I give and bequeath to my Beloved Wife Willia E. Newman all my Estate real and personal during her natural life or Widowhood except such specific legacies as may be herein after made.

1. Item I confirm to my son Elias Newman and his heirs the gift that I made him of negroes Reuben & Nell and her increase and I also bequeath to him and his heirs (negro Lad) John.

2. Item. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Jett Newman and his heirs the land whereon he now lives purchased of Pages estate and containing one hundred and forty one acres more or less together with the negroes of which he is now in possession viz. Ann, Mina, and Wilson.

3. Item. I confirm to my daughter Nancy Jett Newman and her heirs the gift I made her of negro Patt and her children and bequeath to her (stone mason) Jack.

4. Item. It is my will and desire that out of the profits of my Estate there shall be placed in trust in the hands of my son Thomas Jett Newman one hundred and twenty dollars annually for the benefit and support of my daughter Elizabeth Hereford and her children or that as much money be vested in Bank or other stock sufficient to yield an Interest of that amount in either case my son Thomas J. Newman to act as trustee for the special benefit of my said daughter Elizabeth Hereford and her children and this to be considered as her full proportion of my Estate.

5. Item. I confirm to my daughter Mary Spindle & her heirs the gift I made her of negro Isaac, and also give and bequeath to her and her heirs negro Phillis.

6. Item. Having made a Deed of Trust to James Brown of Frederick County of negroes Sally and Stefnee for the benefit of my daughter Sarah Brown and her children I confirm the same for the purpose therein mentioned and also at the death of my wife I give in Trust to my son William Jett Newman negroes Harry, Thornton & Eliza for the special benefit of my said daughter Sarah Brown & children.

7. Item. Upon the death or marriage of my wife I give and bequeath to my son William Jett Newman and his heirs the Tract of Land purchased of John Armistead of Caroline County, decd. containing five hundred acres, more or less together with the land lying on the south side of Catharpen purchased of William Armistead containing from twenty to thirty acres. I also give and bequeath to my son William Jett Newman and his heirs negroes Carpenter Tom and Betty and their children Charles, Charlotte, Jim & George.

8. Item I give and bequeath to my daughters Catharine Newton Newman, Mary Spindle, Peggy Newman and Eleanor Newman and their heirs the residue of my land in Prince William County to be divided equally among them according to quantity and quality I also give them the use of my Dwelling House as their residence as long as they remain unmarried.

9. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Catharine Newton Newman and her heirs negroes Jack and Milly and their children Maria, Reuben, and Margaret.

10. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy Newman and her heirs negroes Shoe Maker Tom, Winny, Moses, Penny and her children Esther, Rachel and Betsy.

11. I give and bequeath to my daughter Eleanor Newman and her heirs negroes Ned, Lucy, Peg, and her children Mary, Lewis, Penny & Juliet.

12. Item upon the death or marriage of my wife it is my desire that my Executors hereafter named shall sell all my personal property negroes excepted to meet the monied claims against my estate and if the avails thereof should prove deficient it is then my Will and desire that negro Jess and his wife and children shall be sold to compleat the payment of all just demands against my Estate and whatever balance of money may remain together with the negroes undisposed of to be divided among my children all except Thomas J. Newman and my daughter Elizabeth Hereford. 

Lastly I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my sons Elias Newman, Thomas Jett Newman, William Jett Newman and my brother Richard Newman Executors of this my last Will and testament.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 28th day of December one thousand eight hundred & twenty.

Thos. Newman {seal}

Edmund Newman
E. Brooke Senr.
John Tall
Thomas Brasfield
Daniel Foster
Thos. Fortun

In addition to the Will which I have recently signed and sealed it is my desire to annex thereto my bequests as relates to two tracts of land to which I am entitled in the state of Tennessee viz. one of two thousand five hundred acres and the other of five hundred acres making on the whole three thousand which I bequeath to all my children in equal divisions that is to say Elias Newman, Thomas J. Newman, Nancy Jett Newman, Elizabeth Hereford, Katherine Newton Newman, Mary Spindle, Sarah Brown, William Jett Newman, Peggy Newman & Eleanor Newman all of whom to have an equal interest in the said three thousand acres of Land.

It is also my will and desire that all my sons and sons in law shall be exhonerated from the payment of all and any moneys that I have advanced to them or for them. Given under my hand this 9th day of February 1821.

Thos. Newman

Thomas Fortune
James D. Tennill
Alexr. Tennill

At a Court for Prince William County April the 2nd 1821.

This last will and testament of Thomas Newman decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of Thomas Fortune, James D. Tennill and Alexander Tennill is ordered to be recorded and Richard Newman and William Jett Newman two of the Executors therein named made oath to the same according to law and the said Executors having performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste   Phil. D. Dawe  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.

Will: Leonard Leachman

Will of Leonard Leachman
PWCo Will Book I, pg. 364

In the Name of God Amen --

I Leonard Leachman of Prince William County and state of Virginia knowing that it is appointed for all men to dye & being in a low state of health though of sound mind do make this my last will & testament revocing and disannuling all other Wills made by me heretofore --

Item I resign my body to its mother Earth & my soal to almighty God. & as for my worldly goods It is my Will & desire that they shall be divided as I hereafter shall direct. 

First I give & bequeath all my real & personal estate to my loveing wife Sarah Leachman during her natural life or widowhood but shoul[d] she marry I then give her a Child's parte of the sd. Estate & It is further my will and desire after her death or widowhood that all my Estate as before mentioned be Equally divided between my suns Thomas, Leonard, James, John & Robert they paying the sum of one hundred pound cash to my three daughters Frances Fielder, Elizabeth Brown & Nancy Hadin to be equally divided between them & to pay for the Schooling of James & Robert two years. 

Item I bequeath to my sun James a horse by the name of Shearke to my sun John a Colte by the name of Toliver & to my sun Robert another Coult by the name of Jock which several horses It is my desire they shall have given to them immediately by my Executors which I shall appoint & Lastly It is my will & desire that my three suns Thomas Leachman Leonard Leachman & John Leachman do act as my Executors to this my last Will as Witness whereof I have set my hand & Seal this 23d day of November one thousand seven hundred & Ninety Eight.

Leonard Leachman {seal}

In presents of us
Chs. Ewell
James Foster
John [X his mark] Colvert

At a Court held for Prince William County January 5th 1807

This last will and Testament of Leonard Leachman decd was presented to the Court and being proved by the oath of Charles Ewell was ordered to be certified. And at a Court held for sd. County the 7th December 1807 Redman Foster came into Court and made oath that James Foster a Witness to the last will and Testament of Leonard Leachman decd is dead and proved that the Signature of James Foster to the said Will is in the handwriting of the said James Foster whereupon the said Will is ordered to be recorded it having been proved at January Court last by Charles Ewell.

Teste   J. Williams  Ct. Cur. *

* At a Court Contd and held for Prince William county October the 3rd 1815
John Leachman one of the Exor. named in the last will and testament of Leonard Leachman decd came into Court and made oath to the same accodin to law and having taken the oath of an Exor. and performing what is usual in such cases Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.  

Teste  Phil. D. Dawe  Ct. Cur.

Will: Zachariah Bradfield (1820)

Will of Zachariah Bradfield
PWCo. Will Book L, pg. 353

In the name of God Amen. I Zachariah Bradfield of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia do ordain and make this my last Will and Testament revoking all by me heretofore made. Firstly I give and bequeath to my son George Bradfield & his Heirs forever all that Tract or parcel of land whereon I formerly resided situate on the Occoquan run with all the appurtenances belonging

Secondly It is my desire after all my just debts are paid by my Executor hereafter named that an equal division of the remainder of my property shall be made among all my children. 

Thirdly I appoint George Bradfield my son my sole and entire Executor. In Confirmation whereof I have this Ninth day of November one thousand eight hundred and twenty affixed my hand and seal.

Zachariah [X his mark] Bradfield {seal}

Witnesses Present

Redmon Foster
Orpha [X her mark] Bradfield

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County March 5th 1821. This last will and testament of Zachariah Bradfield dec'd was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of Redmon Foster and Orpha Bradfield is ordered to be recorded.

Teste  Phil. D. Dawe   Ct. cur.

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.

Newspaper Tidbit: Politics: Jackson Corresponding Committee

United States Telegraph (Washington, DC)
22 April 1828

Pursuant to public notice, the Jackson Corresponding Committee for Prince William county (consisting of John W. Tyler, Charles S. Carter, Stuart G. Thornton, Dr. James W. P. Macrae, Major Luke Cannon, Thomas R. Hampton, William Tyler, Major Ashmere, Redmon Foster, William E. Alexander, James G. Bryce, Wm. Cleary, James Foster, Peyton Norvill, Major George Jackson, John S. Fairfax, Wm. B. Tyler, and Geo. W. Macrae) convened at Brentsville on the 7th inst. at the tavern of Thomas R. Hampton.

A majority of the committee being present, John W. Tyler, Esq. in the chair, on motion, Geo. W. Macrae was appointed Secretary, whereupon it was resolved unanimously that that the following persons, freeholders of the county of Prince William, be added to the committee heretofore appointed by the Legislative Convention, to wit:

Stephen French, Joseph R. Lynn, Alexander Foot, Richard B. Tyler, Jas. Fewell, William P. Cundiff, Benj. Johnson, John Fitzhugh, Wm. A. Harrison, Joseph Johnson, Moses Cockrell, Peyton Mills, James G. Watkins, John Hutchinson, James M. Tyler, Thomas Nelson, Jr., George Carney, Benson Lynn, George G. Tyler, Wittoughby W. Tebbs, Samuel Janney, Richard Britt, John W. Williams, Richard B. Scott, Alfred B. Tyler, Travis Davis, John Dogan, Geo. N. B. Renoe, Hezekiah Martin, Samuel H. Fisher, John Tansill, Strother Renoe, John Lee, James Florence, Jno. Graham, John G. Kubleman, Maj. Enoch Grear, and James H. Reid.

On motion, Resolved, that the editors of the Richmond Enquirer, and the United States Telegraph, be requested to publish the proceedings of this Committee.

The Committee then adjourned to meet again at Brentsville, on the 1st Monday in May next.

John W. Tyler, Chairman
Geo. W. Macrea, Sec'ry

The above is a true and correct copy of the proceedings of the Jackson Corresponding Committee for Prince William County, convened at Brentsville on the 7th of April, 1828.

Geo. W. Macrae
Secretary to the Committee
Brentsville, April 12th, 1828

[During the 1828 Presidential election, Andrew Jackson's campaign included hundreds of local Jackon committees and a large network of newspapers. ~cgl]



 

Sunday's Obituary: Elizabeth Foster / Thomas Watson

Alexandria Gazette
27 May 1837

DIED, at her residence in Prince William Co., Va., on the 21st inst., Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, aged about 83 years, after a long and most painful illness, which she bore with much submission to the will of Divine Providence.  She was at the time of her death, and had been for 50 years a member of the Baptist Church. She died in the hope of entering into that rest which remaineth to the people of God. She was much respected by her friends, and her memory will be embalmed in the hearts of her surviving children.

On Monday, the 15th inst., in Stafford County, Va., Robert Carroll Brent, in the 35th year of his age. Mr. Brent was formerly an officer in the Army of the United States, and was highly respected for his military acquirements, and much beloved for his amiable and manly character.

In Prince William County Virginia, on Sunday the 21st, Mr. Thomas Watson, a native of England.

Newspaper Tidbit: Will of Late Redmon Foster

Manassas Journal
24 January 1913

WILL OF LATE R. FOSTER

Several Lady Friends Remembered by the Testator in Small Bequests

The last will and testament of the late Redmon Foster, who died December 26, 1912, has just been probated.

The instrument, which is written in the testator's hand writing with an indelible pencil and upon common writing paper, contains an unsigned codicil by which he disposes of his wearing apparel, bed clothing and a few articles of furniture, to Miss Ella Fogle and to Miss Effie Hale the sum of $30.  After providing for the payment of his funeral expenses and all other just liabilities, he makes provision for the following legacies:  Mrs. Jas. R. Dorrell and Miss Lillian Jones, each $50; Mrs. Wm. E. Lipscomb, Mrs. Nettie Garrison, and Mayan Shacklett, each $50; Mrs. Herbert Tolson $30; and Misses Pocahontas Lynn, Faith Chapman, Lucy Harrison, Maude Hall, Stella Kesky and Violet Scott, each $30.  The remainder of the estate is bequeathed to Mrs. Jas. R. Dorrell and Miss Lillian Jones, share and share alike.  The will is dated December 4, 1912, and Thos. H. Lion is named as executor of the same.

It has been stated by some of the testator's closest friends, who have known him for a period of over fifty years, that he has some twenty or thirty thousand dollars in United States bonds besides other bonded assets.  We understand that none of the bonds, with the exception of $3,000, have yet been located.

Will: Benjamin Dawson (1827)

BENJAMIN DAWSON Will

Prince William County Will Book  M, pg 479

01 Dec 1825; proved 05 Feb 1827

I BENJAMIN DAWSON of Prince William County and State of Virginia being of sound mind do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others heretofore made.  Item 1^st It is my will and desire that the debts due from me to George Chapman, Thomas Foster & Henry M. Lewis they being the principal debts shall first be paid and all other just debts.  Item 2^nd. I give and bequeath unto my son BENJAMIN DAWSON in trust for the use and benefit of my daughter NANCY DAWSON a negro girl named Mary during her life and at her death I give Mary and her increase to my son BENJAMIN DAWSON and his heirs upon condition that he takes care of his sister Nancy.  In no event is Mary to be taken from my daughter Nancy.  She is not to be estimated in the widows dower nor subject to my debts unless my other property should prove insufficient.  Item 3 It is my will and desire that after all my just debts are paid that my wife LINDSAY DAWSON shall have on third of my property during her life and at her death it is to descend to my two children by her namely GEORGE CHAPMAN DAWSON and SUSANNA FOSTER DAWSON.  Item 4. In consideration of the services rendered me by my son Benjamin Dawson, I give and bequeath unto him and his heirs a negro boy named Daniel.  Item 5^th It is my will and desire that the remaining part of my property after allotting the above legacies shall be sol and the proceeds arising therefrom be appropriated to the payment of my debts and if found insufficient then the residue to come out of my son Benjamin’s legacy.  Should the property thus allotted for my debts produce more than a sufficiency I desire that the surplus may be equally divided between my son BRADFORD DAWSON, FANNY BOOTMAN, BETSEY SHIRMAN, and HETTY MOORE and be considered their proportion of my estate.  Item 6^th It is my will and desire that my Executors hereafter named shall pay out of my estate to my daughter ELIZA CROUCH ten dollars as her proportion of my estate.  I hereby constitute and appoint my friends George Chapman and Thomas Foster my Executors to carry my will in effect.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 1^st day of Dec. 1825.

BENJAMIN DAWSON

In the presence of

SAMUEL ROBINSON, ELIZABETH  HALL, G. CHAPMAN, THOMAS FOSTER

At a Court held for Prince William County this 5^th day of February 1827.  This last will and testament of Benjamin Dawson deceased was presented to the Court by Thomas Foster one of the Executors therein named and being proved by the oaths of Samuel Robinson and Thomas Foster is admitted to record, and the said Thomas Foster having made oath to the same according to law and having taken the oath of an Executor and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, P. D. DAWE

Sunday's Obituary: Obituaries Printed Outside PWCo

Farmers Repository (Charlestown, WV) - July 7, 1809 ~ DIED, on the 25th ult. of a cancer in his face, Beniah Willett, late merchant at Occoquan.  By his death society is deprived of as honest a man as ever lived.  ~ Alex. paper.

Baltimore Patriot (Baltimore, MD) - June 13, 1822 ~ On Wednesday evening, the 5th inst. in Prince William county, Va. of a lingering consumption, Mrs. Grace Ann Blagrove, wife of Mr. Henry B. Blagrove, Printer, in the 26th year of her age.  She has left a husband and two infant children to mourn their irreparable loss.

Salem Gazette (Salem, MA) - September 20, 1825 ~ At Hazle Plain, Prince William county, Virginia, on the 28th ultimo, Bernard Hooe, senr. Esq. in the 86th yar of his age.

Spectator (New York) - May 18, 1830 ~ [DIED] In Prince William county, Frances Ann Walker, 21.

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC) - May 30, 1830 ~ At Cedar Hill, the residence of his mother, in Prince William county, Virginia, on the 15th of April, William L. Scott, in the 28th year of his age, formerly Merchant of Alexandria.

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC) - December 18, 1833 ~ At the residence of Wm. R. Buck, near Port Gibson, on the 17th instant., John W. Green, a native of Prince William County, Va.

Richmond Whig (Richmond, VA) - September 23, 1834 ~ On Thursday, the 11th inst., after a protracted and painful illness, Mrs. Maria M. G. Hooe, consort of Col. John Hooe, of Locust Grove, Prince William County.

Sun (Baltimore, MD) - May 29, 1837 ~ At her residence, in Prince William County, Va. on the 21st inst. Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, aged 83 years.

Daily National Intelligencer (DC) - June 29, 1840 ~ At the residence of Mr. Thos. W. Hughlett, Northumland county, Virginia, on Thursday morning, the 21st of May, in the 36th year of her age, Mrs. Eliza Henry, consort of Dr. Edward H. Henry, and daughter of John Fitzhugh, Esq. of Prince William county, Va.

Sun (Baltimore, MD) - March 9, 1846 ~ In Prince William county, Va. on the 21st ult. in the 24th year of her age, Mrs. Frances Ann, consort of Lieut. Robert Tansill of the U.S. Marine corps.

Daily National Intelligencer (DC) - April 20, 1852 ~ Near Brentsville, Prince William, Virginia, in the 77th year of her age, Mrs. Elizabeth Sexsmith, a native of Virginia, and for many years a resident of this city.

Daily National Intelligencer (DC) - March 17, 1853 ~ At Neabsco, Prince William county, Virginia, on the 4th instant, in the 81st yar of her age, Mrs. Araminta Montgomery Kankey, widow of the late Rev. Zebulon Kankey, of that county.

Black History Month: Newspaper Tidbits

Virginia Gazette - January 19, 1776

PRINCE WILLIAM county, Jan. 4, 1776.  WHEREAS the subscriber, some time in the month of October last, passed his obligation to a certain Charles Adams, of the town of Dumfries, for the sum of 10 l. to be paid in pork and corn for a servant woman purchased of him, and warranted by him to have no other ailment than the ague and fever; and whereas, upon taking her home, I have discovered her to be a lunatick, with which I am convinced the said Adams could not be unacquainted at the time of the sale, and have therefore returned her to the said Adams, who refused to give up my obligation: I therefore forewarn all persons from taking an assignment of the same, as I was deceived by him, and am determined not to pay it.

ALEXANDER CATLETT

~~~

Virginia Gazette - August 21, 1779

FREDERICKSBURG, August 10, 1779.  RUN away from the subscriber in December last, a middle sized negro boy named Dick, about 17 years old, flat footed, and a large scar on the top of his head, had been inoculated for the small pox a month or two before, the scar when he went off was very plain in his arm, but little other appearance of the disorder remaining.  I have reason to believe he was enticed away by one Simon Sackett a waggoner, who lived near Bland's ford in Prince William county, and who set off with his waggon, the day after the boy disappeared, bound as he gave out, for Carolina, but as he came from the Jersey's to Virginia, he may have directed his course that way.  Sackett is a lusty man, above 6 feet high, between 25 and 30 years of age, of a swarthy complexion, brown hair, and a down look. Whoever delivers the above mentioned negro boy to me in Fredericksburg, or to my overseer William Munday, near Bland's ford in Prince William county, shall be paid ONE HUNDRED POUNDS reward, and if stolen, upon conviction of the thief, TWO HUNDRED POUNDS.

LEWIS WILLIS

~~~

Alexandria Gazette - January 29, 1827

NOTICE.  By virtue of a deed of trust executed to us by James Foster and Silas Foster, on the 7th day of December 1825, for the purpose of securing to John Withers & Co. and Withers & Washington, the payment of the debts therein mentioned, we shall, on Monday, the 5th day of March next, expose to sale by public auction for cash, before the front door of the Court House of Prince William county, one negro girl named Anne and her child -- Also, the interest of the said James and Silas Foster, in the estate of their father, James Foster, deceased.  Such title as we have under the trust deed will be conveyed to the purchasdr.

M.B. SINCLAIR
PEYTON NORVILL, Trustees

~~~

Alexandria Gazette - January 29, 1850

NEGROES FOR SALE. -- I will offer for sale, to the highest bidder, on the first Monday 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 17 --eots

~~~

Alexandria Gazette - July 7, 1869

LETTER FROM PRINCE WILLIAM.  There are certainly two, and probably three, colored registrars appointed for this county.--Jesse Bates, 1st precinct (He's a "nice one," I tell you), H. E. Pinn, 3d precinct (Pinn is the "heir expectant" of the post office at Manassas) Summer Fitts is the President of the Board of the 3d precinct.  Fitts was nominated here in March, I think by eight republicans (?) for the Legislature.  He cannot be registrar if he is a candidate.  Which are you, Fitts, candidate or registrar?  In the language of Shakespeare, "Whence and what art thou, execrable shape?"  Josiah Thomas in the 4th precinct, may be a colored man for all I know.  I have never heard of him before.  Fitts better stick to his military appointment.  He'll never be elected to any office.  Nothing but the devil will ever catch Fitts in this county.

Mr. Thomas L. Burrows, a very gentlemanly republican, has a petition in circulation I understand for the Manassas post office.  It is signed by a number of republicans, and the most prominent business men of the place and vicinity.  Under the head of republicans in the petition there is one name that sorter surprises me.  I'll not call it, but if I can I'll send you a copy of the petition.  I hope Mr. Burrows will get the position, because he is a fair man, and the people want him to have it, but the idea, just the idea, of one man who signed the petition under the first heading, calling himself a republican.  When did he become one?  Why din't he say he was one when he ran for office lasts?  He'll be ashamed to say it when he runs again, which he is sure to do, for he will die if out of office.  The black republicans say that Pinn's appointment is a "political necessity."  The blacks will leave the radicals here "with the bag to hold" if Pinn is not appointed postmaster.

TYRONE.
PRINCE WM. CO., June 5, 1869

~~~

Alexandria Gazette - September 19, 1871

MANASSAS, PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY. -- The funeral services of old Aunt Esther Britt, aged seventy-five years, formerly the slave of the late Rev. Robert C. Leachman, a distinguished minister of the Old School Baptist Church, well known in Washington and Alexandria, took place here last week.  The funeral sermon was preached by Charles Mason, formerly a slave, who belonged to the estate of the late John McCree, of this county.  The church was crowded, a large number of the audience being white.

Newspaper Tidbit: Trustees' Sale

Alexandria Gazette - 05 February 1827

TRUSTEES' SALE.  By virtue of two deeds of trust, executed by Isaac Henry and Judith his wife, to the subscribers, bearing date the 14th day of October, 1822, and duly recorded in the Clerk's office of the county of Prince William, and for the purposes in the said deeds mentioned, we shall offer at public auction, for cash, at Brentsville, in the county of Prince William, on Monday the 12th of February next, the Tract of land on which the said Henry at present resides, lying in the county of Prince William, containing Three Hundred and Thirty Acres, more or less -- it being the tract of land which the said Henry purchased of Robert H. Hooe and Robert Hamilton, executors of Elizabeth Carter, dec'd.  As we shall sell the foregoing property as trustees, no other title will be conveyed than is vested in us by the deeds of trust aforesaid.

Edmund Brooke
Stuart G. Thornton
jan 11-ts



29 January 1827 - Alexandria Gazette

NOTICE.  By virtue of a deed of trust executed to us by James Foster and Silas Foster, on the 7th day of December, 1825, for the purpose of securing to John Withers & Co. and Withers & Washington, the payment of the debts therein mentioned, we shall, on Monday, the 5th day of March next, expose to sale by public auction for cash, before the front door of the Court House of Prince William county, one negro girl named Anne and her child--Also; the interest of the said James and Silas Foster, in the estate of their father, James Foster, deceased.  Such title as we have under the trust deed will be conveyed to the purchaser.

M. B. Sinclair
Peyton Norvill
   Trustees
jan 27-ts

Will: Mary Mount

MARY MOUNT Will

Prince William County Will Book M, p. 499

October 4, 1826; Probate July 2, 1827

I Mary Mount of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia being in delicate health and being advised by my Physicians that it is important to my health to visit the southern country and whereas owing to the peculiar manner in which my Father William Mount devised his Estate to his children it is doubtful whether my Brother Thomas C. Mount administrator of my Father's Estate will be justified advancing me a sufficient quantity of money to carry me to the southern country and whereas also William Byrne owe the securities of my brother by reason of such an act may become liable as security of my brother for such malfeasance as administrator.  Now I Mary Mount, being anxious to secure said William Byrne against such liability as also to return to my brother Thomas C. Mount any money he may advance to carry me to the south do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say  I give to William Byrne of Fauquier County State of Virginia all my rights title and interest in and to the Personal Estate devised by my Father William Mount to secure him against any liability as the security of my brother Thomas C. Mount and if by reason of any malfeasance of my brother as administrator of my Father it should take my brothers interest in my Father's Estate and my portion of the personal property also to make William Byrne safe as security aforesaid it is my will and desire that he should have it, but if he the said William Byrne should not suffer by reason of his being security as aforesaid or if his hability should not consume the whole of my interest in order to save him harmless as security aforesaid, then it is my will and desire that my brother Thomas C. Mount should have as much of my estate as will satisfy him for the amount advanced to carry me to the south and the balance of my estate if any there should be after indemnifying said William Byrne as security and my brother Thomas C. Mount for the advancements made to me I desire may be given equally to all my brothers and sisters.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 4^th day of October in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and Twenty six.

Mary Mount {seal}

Signed and sealed and Published as the last will and testament of Mary Mount in presence of us,

Thomas Foster,

Charles Hunton

At a court held for Prince William County July 2^nd 1827.  This last will and testament of Mary Mount deceased was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of Thomas Foster, and Charles Hunton, is admitted to record.

Teste. P. D. Dawe