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.

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.

Bond: Jones &c. to Commonwealth of Virginia (Superintendant of Poor House)

Jones &c. to & Bond Commwlth
PWCo Deed Book 40, pg. 444

Know all men by these Presents that we Lewis E. Jones, C. M. Copen, Thos. Wolfenden, John Morath and Jas. Luck are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the just and full sum of Four Thousand Dollars, to the payment whereof, will and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators jointly, and severally firmly by these presents, and we hereby waive the benefit of our Homestead Exemption as to this obligation, and also waive any claim, right or privilege to discharge any liability arising under this bond or by virtue of said office or trust, in any currency, funds, counter-claims or effects, other than legal tender currency of the United States, Sealed with our seals, and dated this 1st day of June 1891. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas, the above bound Lewis E. Jones, has been appointed Superintendent of the Poor House in the County of Prince William, to serve for the term of 4 years, commencing July 1st 1891. Now if the said Lewis E. Jones shall well and truly perform and discharge the duties of his said office, then this obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and virtue.

L. E. Jones {seal}
C. M. Copen {seal}
Thos. Woolfenden {seal}
John Morath {seal}
Jas. Luck {seal}

In Prince William County Court, June 1st 1891.

This Bond from Jones &c. to Commwth was presented to the Court, acknowledged by the obligees and was ordered to be recorded.

Teste, E. Nelson  Clk.

Mystery Monday: Man Dead for Years Discovered in Well (1945)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
3 July 1945

MAN DEAD FOR YEARS DISCOVERED IN WELL

The skeleton of a man dead anywhere from 7 to 20 years has been found in the bottom of a well near Quantico, Va., Virginia State police revealed today, as they began an investigation of the identity of the dead man.

The bones were discovered yesterday by a farm worker who was cleaning a well in the Dumfries district of Prince William County.

Dr. E. H. Marsteller, Prince William County coroner, who said a box of bones had been brought to him by the State police for examination, reported he had found no marks of violence on the skull.

Efforts to identify the man brought Captf E. J. McDermott and State Trooper E. H. Howe of the State police to Arlington, where they were closeted for an hour with Capt. Hugh Jones, Arlington detective chief.  Identification Officer Walter Bell also was in on the conference.

It was learned that a watch was found with the bones.

Deed: Cole to Ashby (1883)

Deed:  Lawrence Cole and Jane Cole to William J. Ashby
PWCo Deed Book 34, pg. 418

This deed made and entered into the 8th day of Decr 1883 between Lawrence Cole and Jane Cole his wife of the first part and William J. Ashby of the second part all of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia. Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of seventy five dollars in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the party of the first part have this day bargained and sold to the party of the second part a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Prince William containing sixty two acres more or less adjoining the lands of S. B. Herrell, John G. Taylor, Louis H. Greybill & others to have and to hold the above described tract or parcel of land unto the said William J. Ashby his heirs & c. forever. As witness our hands and seals this 8th day of December 1883.

Lawrence Cole {seal}
Jane Cole {seal}

State of Virginia
Prince William County to wit

We J. L. Cole and L. E. Jones Justices in and for the County of Prince William do certify that Lawrence Cole whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed bearing date on the 8th day of Decr. 1883 acknowledged the same before us, and we further certify that Jane Cole the wife of Lawrence Cole appeared before us and being examined privily and apart from her husband declared she willingly executed the same and did not wish to retract it. Given under our hands and seals this 8th day of December 1883.

Jas. L. Cole  J.P. {seal}
L. E. Jones J. P. {seal}

In the clerks office of Prince William County December 13th 1883

This deed from Lawrence Cole & wife to William J. Ashby was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste. L. A. Davis clerk

Church Record Sunday: Chaplain: House of Representatives

Alexandria Gazette
22 February 1856

COMMUNICATED.

To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette:

In your paper today, I find the following item of news: "An attempt was made last week, in the House of Representatives, to elect a chaplain, but without success.  Various candidates for the office were proposed, and among them Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, nominated Elder Robert C. Leachman, of Prince William county, Va., who, he said, was a hard shell Baptist in religion, and a Democrat in politics."

Lest it should be supposed by my friends abroad, that I was among the flock of hungry cormorants that have been hanging about the Capitol and haunting the members at their lodgings, since the first Monday in December, I desire to say, that I was no candidate for the office, and that the nomination was made without my consent or knowledge.  I desire to say, farther, that if elected I would not serve, for the reason, first, that Congress has no constitutional authority for creating such an office, and, of course, none for robbing the people's treasury to support it. 2d, I could not be induced to leave the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost has made me overseer, and hire myself out, Balaam like, to divine for money. I look upon the whole thing as a desecration of the ministerial office, a shameful and unlawful waste of the people's money, and a capital burlesque upon religion, as taught in the Bible; and if Congress design perpetuating such sacrilege and extravagance, they will have to employ some other agent than me. I cast no reflections upon friend Jones, who put me in nomination, knowing, as I do, that he is as much opposed to the whole system as

ROBERT C. LEACHMAN
Bristoe, Pr. Wm. Co., Va., Feb. 19, 1856

Amanuensis Monday: Deed: Hixon to Milstead (1915)

Prince William County
Deed Book 67, pg. 77
Hixon to Milstead

This deed made the 17 day of September 1915, between G. W. Hixson, party of the first part, and Frank Milstead party of the second part,

WITNESSETH: That for and in consideration of its value cash in hand paid by the said second party to the said first party, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said party of the first part doth by these presents bargain, grant, sell, release, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, with general warranty of title west half of lot Number 47, as designated in the plat and survey of West End Cemetery, adjacent to the town of Manassas, in the county of Prince William, the same to be used as a burial place for white persons only.

Witness the following signature and seal.

G. W. Hixson {Seal}

Prince William County, to-wit:

I, L. M. Jones, a notary public for the county aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, whose commission expires on the 12 day of August, 1916, do certify that G. W. Hixson, whose name is signed to the foregoing deed, bearing date on the 17 day of September, 1915, hath acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.

Given under my hand this 17 day of September, 1915.

L. M. Jones, N. P.

In the Clerk's Office, Circuit Court, Prince William county, September 18, 1915.

This DEED from G. W. Hixson to Frank Milstead, was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste:  J. E. Herrell, Clerk
#369

[Manassas City Cemetery was also known as West End Cemetery and Citizens Cemetery/Confederate Cemetery.  ~cgl] 

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Items (19 October 1874)

Alexandria Gazette
19 October 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS -- [From the Manassas Gazette]

The Circuit Court met on Monday, Judge James Keith presiding, Geo. W. Larkin esq., Commonwealth attorney. When the grand jury had been sworn Judge Keith charged them as follows. That they should "bring to notice all breaches of the peace," on which the good order of society depended; "all murders, assaults and batteries, burglaries, and violations of the internal revenue laws." On motion of James M. Love esq., M. H. Wells esq. of Fairfax C. H. was admitted to practice at this court. In the case of Commonwealth against L. N. Fewell, councel for defence, Judge Nicol, stated that he was not ready for trial on consequence of the absence of important witnesses. This case was again continued. There were about seventy-five decrees and orders entered in Chancery and a large number of common law cases disposed of.

As Mr. A. D. Wroe of the lower part of the county, and Mr. Samuel H. Jones, his brother-in-law, of Brook's Stations, Stafford county, were driving into Brentsville on Monday, their team became frightened at the noise of a flock of geese and shying, upset the vehicle, throwing the two gentlemen out and hurting them severely, though not seriously.

Wm. H. Pinn a colored man who has heretofore acted with the radical party in this county made a speech at Brentsville on Monday last, in which he scored radicalism pretty severely, and the Hon. James B. Sener particularly. He advised the colored people not to disgrace themselves by voting for Sener.

PWCo. Item: 14 January 1873

Alexandria Gazette
14 January 1873

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS. -- Mr. James Vowels, aged 72 years, died on the 25th of December, at the residence of Mr. Matthew Priest in this county. Mr. V. was a native of Talbot county, Md., but had been a resident of this county upwards of thirty years. He was a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, and probably the oldest member of that order living in the county. He was buried in the family burrying ground on the farm of Mr. Priest.

On the motion of Judge C. E. Sinclair a rule was entered against Mr. Geo. W. Jones by the Court, on Monday last, to show cause why he should not be removed from the office of constable, for having charged improper fees, Mr. Jones contends that the fees charged were proper.

Mr. Charles H. Whittington, telegraph operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company at this place, was taken down a few days ago with a severe attack of inflamatory rheumatism. Mr. H. S. Sneed of Gordonsville has taken his place until he gets able to resume his duties.

We learn that Mr.s Vanderhoof, the widow of a man by that name, who purchased a farm near Nokesville, about a year ago, is in very destitute circumstances, her husband having died leaving the widow and six children without support.

A man by the name of P. H. Smith, a resient of Monroe county, West Va., passed through here on Wednesday last in charge of three guards who were conveying him to the lunatic Asylum at Weston, West Va.,

Messrs. Nicol and Hunton, commissioners, sold on Monday last in front of the court house, 200 acres of land, a portion of the homestead of Seymour Lynn, near Independence Hill, to Burress Norman for $4 per acre.

Messrs. Sinclair and Nicol, commissioners, sold on Monday last four lots of land, each containing half an acre, of the estate of the late James Purcell, to Jas. R. Purcell for the sum of $399.50.

Mr. M. M. Roseberry who has been confined by sickness for the past three months at his home near Brentsville, is we are glad to report nearly recovered and will soon be out again.  -- Manassas Gazette

Wednesday's Child: Ulysses Grant Cooper

Valley View Cemetery, Nokesville, VA

In Loving Remembrance of

ULYSSES GRANT COOPER

Son of 

T. J. and V. C. Cooper

Born Feb. 27, 1875

Died May 19, 1912

Aged 17 yr. 2 mo. 20 ds.

A precious one from us has gone

A voice we loved is still

A place is vacant in our home

Which never can be filled

God in his wisdom has recalled

The boon his love has given

And though the body moulders here

The soul is safe in heaven

~ ~ ~

Manassas Democrat
23 May 1912

DEATH OF U. G. COOPER

U. G. Cooper, seventeen years old, died of typhoid pneumonia in his home near Aden Sunday noon.  The funeral took place from the home Monday afternoon, and interment was in Valley View church cemetery.

The pall bearers were: M. S. Kerun, R. T. Jones, Joe Horn, Capper Knupp, Gordon Bailey and O. W. Brill.

A sister of the deceased was extremely ill of the same dread disease at the time of her brother's death, with little hope of recovery, both having contracted the malady at about the same time.

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!

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.

Military Monday: Testimony at Trial of Gen. Fitz John Porter

New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA)
July 17, 1878

SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS

During the trial of Gen. Fitz John Porter at West Point, Thursday, Mr. John S. Leachman, of Groveton, Prince William county, was recalled and closely examined as to the supposed route of Capt. Pope bearing the 4:30 order from Gen. Pope to Gen. Porter, commanding the latter to move against the enemy.  It was charged in the proceedings of the court martial that the order reached Porter at five o'clock p.m.  The latter stoutly avers that it did not get into his hands till between six and seven p.m.

The testimony of Mr. Leachman, who had been a resident in the locality for fifty years, shows that it was a physical impossibility for Capt. Pope to go over the rout.e  Witness supposed he did go in less than an hour and a half, which would make his arrival at Porter's headquarters not before 6 p. m. providing the order was handed to him at the precise time it was dated, and he rode at the utmost speed.

Col. Charles Marshall, a lawyer of Baltimore, and who was an aide-de-camp for Gen. Lee, of the Confederate army, in 1862, was sworn.  He said that twelve Confederate brigades marched through Thoroughfare Gap on the 28th, and one on the morning of the 29th.  About half-past nine the advance was near Groveton.  Then witness located the position of the Confederate troops, and said that as late as two p. m. Gen. Stewart reported that Gen. Jones' right was being threatened, and Gen. Wilcox was ordered to go to his supper.  Later in the afternoon, Hood was attached, and Wilcox was sent back.  The troops threatening Jones appeared to be coming along the Manassas and Gainesville road, and six brigades had to be kept there to watch them.

This was considered important evidence for Porter, as it was his command that threatened the Confederates, and thus it is claimed he acted discreetly, and held the Confederates in check, preventing them from carrying out an intended general attack that day.

Witness stated that he had in his hand Lee's original report of the second Bull Run battle.  He said Gen. Lee did not make an attach on the 29th for the reason that Longstreet advised against it.  This witness also denied previously that there was a general battle on the 29th, as indicated in Pope's dispatch.  There was some artillery firing, and Hood had a severe fight, but it did not become general.

Wedding Wednesday: Nicol/Iden

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
November 21, 1912

Christ Episcopal Church was the scene of a brilliant wedding at 8 o'clock last night, when Miss Pauline Fauntleroy Nicol, daughter of Judge Charles Edgar Nicol of this city, became the bride of Dr. Benjamin Iden, Jr., of Manassas, Va.

The bridal couple entered the church to the strains of a wedding march, played by Mrs. Simpson of Washington.  The bride was accompanied to the altar by her father, by whom she was given in marriage.  Rev. William J. Morton, rector of the church, performed the ceremony.

The bride wore a gown of ivory-tinted charmeuse trimmed with Venetian lace and tulle caught with orange blossoms.  Her ornaments were pearls, and she carried a bouquet of bride roses.  Attending the bride was her sister, Miss Julia Nicol, who acted as maid of honor.  She wore white lace over green, an carried a bouquet of violet chrysanthemums.  The bridegroom had for his best man his brother, Dr. John Iden, U.S.N.

The bridesmaids were the Misses Lucille Smith and Marguerite Newhauser, Washington, D.C.; Janette Powers, Port Royal, Va.; Dellia Dudley, Washington, Va.; Nellie Uhler, Cora Jones, and Christina Kemper of this city.  They wore yellow with violet trimmings, and carried violet crysanthemums.

The groomsmen were Harvey Jacobs and Jack Harper, Washington, D.C.; Milton French, Jack Stevenson, Edmund Hunter, Aylet Nicol and Edgar Nicol.

The church was attractively decorated, the color scheme being yellow and violet, while the chancel was banked with palms.  A reception followed the wedding at the home of the bride, 316 North Washington street, after which Dr. and Mrs. Iden left for New York, where they will make their home for the winter.  Those present from out of the city were:  Mrs. J. B. T. Thornton, Manassas, Mrs. H. M. Dudley, Washington, Va.; Dr. John Iden, Manassas; Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Harper, Washington, D.C.; Judge and Mrs. Ashley M. Gould, Washington, D.C.; Mr. and Mrs. John Nicol, Manssas; Mr. A. T. Holtzman, Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Maude Rrazill, Newport, R.I.

Wedding Wednesday: Marriage Licenses (Jones/Simpson, Atchison/Abel)

The Evening Star (Washington, DC)
December 22, 1904

Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses have been issued to the following:

Henry Molyneux Paget Howard, Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire, of England, and Marguerite Hyde Leiter of this city

James W. Bernhard and Mabel L. Raymond

John M. Turner and Belle Jones

Jesse H. Leath of Baltimore, Md., and Emma H. Denmead of West Point, Va

Charles E. Kessler and Ella Lambeth

J. J. Jones of Prince William county, Va., and Fannie Simpson of this city

Claude E. Smith and Margaret B. Osborne, both of Baltimore, Md

Joseph H. Coates and Gertrude Rollins

George Martin of this city and Virgie M. Hobson of Martinsville, Va.

Willie F. Abernathy and Mary A. Bourdon, both of Dinwiddie county, Va.

Lewis Galligher and Ada Walker

Harry E. Richmond and Jennie A. Hunt

William Scott and Mary Tolson

Howard L. Long and Lora E. Taylor, both of Caroline county, Va

George Ringgold and Helen E. Thompson

George H. Atchison of Stafford county, Va. and Nessie V. Abel of Prince William county, Va

Reason Ferguson and Lillian Inscoe, both of Fairfax county, Va

John Dowery and Sarah E. Howard

Orville C. Carpenter of Phelps, N.Y. and Rose Coleman of Napels, N.Y.

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

Wedding Wednesday: Yeatman/Nalls, Jones/Barbee, Strubhart/Hotchkiss

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC)
April 18, 1846

In Prince William county, on Wednesday, the 1st instant, by Rev. T. D. Herndon, Mr. John H. Yeatman, of Washington, D.C., to Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of William M. Nalls, of Prince William county, Va.

Richmond Whig
December 28, 1858

On the 16th instant, at Sudley Springs, Prince William county, Va., by the Rev. A. Compton, Mr. Samuel H. Jones, of Putnam county, to Miss Mary O. Barbee, of Prince William county, Va.

Charleston Mercury (Charleston, SC)
January 28, 1862

MARRIED,
In Prince William County, Va., on the evening of the 26th ult., by the Rev. Richard Johnson, Chaplain of the Hampton Legion, S.C.V., Mr. Wm. L. Strubhart, of the Beaufort District Troop, to Miss Angelica M. Hotchkiss, second daughter of W. Harris Hotchkiss, of Prince William.

Sunday's Obituary: Emma C. Handy

Alton Evening Telegraph (Alton, Illinois)
November 24, 1908

DEATH OF OLD NURSE

Mrs. Emma C. Handy, a resident of Alton for thirty years and for many years a well known nurse, died this morning at 6:20 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. L. T. Jones, on Easton street.  She was a native of Virginia, being born in Prince William county in 1846.  Beside her daughter she leaves two grans-children, Cordelia and Connie Jones in Alton.  The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home and services will be conducted by Rev. Mason.

Newspaper Tidbit: Family Feud

The Evening Bulletin (Maysville, Kentucky)
July 15, 1892

FAMILY FEUD.  One Near Washington Terminates In a Murder

Washington, July 15. -- There has been a family feud existing between two families living near Dumfries, in Prince William County, Va., for several years, which culminated in murder last Sunday.  It is said by citizens from that section that it is only the beginning of hostilities.

A woods picnic was held at Raccoon hill, near Dumfries, on Saturday last, attended by several hundred people.  Among the attendants were Joseph W. Jones and Thomas Jefferson Florence.  During a dance Jones purposely stepped upon the toes of Florence.

The latter did not resent the insult, and as a further affront Jones stepped on the foot of the lady Florence was dancing with.  This started a quarrel between the two men, which ended in Florence drawing a revolver and firing on Jones, the ball taking effect in his mouth and passing through his brain, killing him instantly.

Florence was arrested by officers who were present, and who hurried him off to jail to avoid lynching by the Jones faction.  Persons from that part of Prince William county say there is intense excitement and more bloodshed is looked for.

Will: Sarah Davis

SARAH DAVIS Will

Will Book I, pg. 21

January the 9^th, 1804

I give to my grand daughter Sally Davis, one feather bed and furniture after my death, this is my last will and testament, the balance of my property to be divided between my daughter Lydia Jones and Peggy Mills.

Sarah {X her mark} Davis

At a Court held for Prince William County May 7^th 1804

This writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Sarah Davis dec'd was presented to the Court and being proved by the oath of Dennis Ensey was ordered to be recorded. 

Teste, J. Williams