Sunday's Obituary: Mrs. M.M. Russell (Jeannette Keys)

Manassas Journal
January 4, 1924

DEATH OF MRS. RUSSELL

Aged Independent Hill Resident Buried New Year's Day

Mrs. M. M. Russell died on Sunday at her home near Independent Hill. She had been ill about seven months and for three weeks had been in a critical condition. She was in her eightieth year.

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday at Oak Grove cemetery by Elder W.M. Smoot, of Occoquan, who took his text from the eleventh chapter of John. The pallbearers were Messrs. Andrew Kincheloe, Eli Kincheloe, Bence Cole, Charles A. Barbee, Thomas Holman and Robert Cornwell.

Mrs. Russell, who before marriage was Miss Jeannette Keys, was born December 8, 1844, at Occoquan. At the age of eleven she moved with her parents to their place near Nelson's mill. She was married to Mr. Russell, December 22, 1878, and up to the time of her death made her home within two miles of Independent Hill.

She is survived by  her husband and by three sons and a daughter, Messrs. Thomas M. and James M. Russell, of Canova; Mr. G. Cleveland Russell, of Agnesville,. and Mrs. Ruth Russell, of Minnieville. She also leaves ten grandchildren, one little grandchild (Walton, baby son of her granddaughter, Mrs. Max Weber), two sisters, Mrs. Sophie Abel, of Quantico, and Mrs. Nellie Posey, of Hoadly, and two brothers, Mr. Jack Keys, of Dumfries, and Mr. Evandon Keys, of Joplin.

Sunday's Obituary: Owen Keys (1884)

 Alexandria Gazette
20 August 1884

FATAL ACCIDENT -- Owen Keys, a bright and promising boy, aged eleven years, and only child of Mr. Jack Keys, of Dumfries, Prince William county, was found dead last Friday within one hundred yards of his home. He went out hunting in the morning, and not returning for dinner, search was made for him when he was found with his gun on one side of the fence and his lifeless body on the other, with one half of his head blown off by the accidental discharge of his gun.

Daily National Republican (DC)
20 August 1884

SAD GUNNING ACCIDENT.

A fatal gunning accident took place near Dumfries, Prince William county, Va., Saturday. A son of Mr. Charles Keys, between 11 and 12 years of age, left his home near the village to shoot. Not returning in the evening some of the family started to find him, and not far from the house found him lying along side of a fence dead with a load of shot in one side of his face, tearing it in a frightful manner, and the gun on the other side of the fence. The position of the body and the gun indicated that he had gotten over the fence first, and in the act of drawing his gun over had struck the cock on the rail, discharging the weapon.

Sunday's Obituary: Albert Keys

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
3 November 1897

HANGED HIMSELF IN HIS CELL.

Albert Keys committed suicide in jail in Manassas yesterday to avoid being tried for the attempted murder of Stuart McInteer. A few years ago Keys was a prosperous and respected merchant of Potomac City, in Prince William county. Reverses in business and dissipation changed him from a useful citizen to a reckless man. About three weeks ago he got into a difficulty with Stuart McInteer over a house. Being under the influence of liquor he made a murderous assault upon McInteer, inflicting a painful gunshot wound in his left arm. He was immediately apprehended and placed in the county jail to await the action of the grand jury. Instead of showing remorse he expressed regret that his effort had been so unsuccessful, saying he "had shot to kill." He hanged himself with a cord to a brace in his cell.

Newspaper Tidbits: Fire!

Baltimore American (Md.)
7 September 1905

FIRE NEAR MANASSAS

Bordon Bros. & Co.'s Stave Factory Destroyed.

[Special to the American.]

Manassas, Va., September 6 -- Bordon Bros. & Co.'s stave factory, near Manassas, was destroyed by fire at 11 o'clock this morning. The fire originated from a spark from the engine, and when first discovered the blaze was no larger than a man's hat. Before the workmen could reach the blaze it caught to a pile of shavings, and within a few minutes was beyond all control.

The factory started business less than a year ago, and gave employment to 12 men and several boys. It has been doing a profitable business and will no doubt be rebuilt. The loss is estimated at from $3,000 to $4,000.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
10 October 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY [From the Manassas Gazette] -- While Mrs. M. N. Lynn, of Independent Hill, was filling a lamp from a quart bottle of coal oil on Tuesday of last week, the oil took fire from a lighted candle which stood near by, enveloping the lamp and bottle both in flames, which would have proved a serious accident, had it not been for the presence of mind of Mrs. Lynn, who quickly threw the bottle out of doors, her husband throwing the burning lamp out, not, however, until he tried in vain to extinguish the flames with water. Mrs. Lynn's clothes were set on fire and she was slightly burned about the hands, and a little girl was quite severely burned by coming in contact with the flames as Mr. Lynn was throwing the lamp out of doors.

Richmond Whig (Va.)
27 February 1874

FIRE AT DUMFRIES.--[By Telegraph to the WHIG.] -- Quantico, Prince William county, February 25, 1874. -- A destructdive fire occurred in Dumfries, Monday night, in which the store occupied by Mr. C. W. Cockerell and the dwellings of Mrs. Keys and Mr. Garrison were destroyed.  The fire was caused by the explosion of a kerosene oil lamp, which was being filled with oil while burning.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
18 November 1856

On Tuesday night last, the grist mill, belonging to Alex. Finnell, Sr., esq., in Prince William county, took fire, it is supposed, from the stove pipe, and burnt down. Loss about $600. No insurance.

Will: John Norman

John Norman Will
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 181
Proved 5 May 1845

I John S. Norman of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound mind and of a disposing memory do make this my last will in manner and form following first I desire all my just debts be paid out of my estate -- and all the rest of my estate of every kind be equally divided between my Sister Geraldean Norman, and my Brother James William Norman -- lastly I appoint my Brother James William Norman my Executor to this my last will and testament. Witness my hand and seal this fourteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and forty five.

John S. Norman {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presents of us 

Benson Lynn
Geo. F. Carney
James Keys

In Prince William County Court May 5, 1845

This last will & testament of John S. Norman decd was presented to the Court & being proved by the oaths of Benson Lynn & Geo. F. Carney witnesses thereto was ordered to be recorded and on motion of James W. Norman the executor named in said will, who made oath thereto and together with Seymore Lynn his security, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $200 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.

Teste,  John Williams  C. C.

Friend of Friends Friday: Ranaway: Harry and Davey / Solomon / Caesar

Virginia Gazette and Alexandria Advisor
23 June 1791

TEN POUNDS REWARD,

RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Prince William County, about 5 miles aboe the Red-House, the following Slaves, viz. -- HARRY, about 40 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, who has remarkable scars over one of his eyes. -- This Negro left me in Dumfries last October, has since been taken up above Winchester, put in that gaol, and eloped from the person coming home with him. -- DAVEY, a dark Mulatto, full 6 feet high, slender made, went off th 2d inst. It is needless to describe the dress of either the first having changed his clothes, and the other in all probability will, when he gets to Dumfries, where he has a wife. -- DAVEY was formerly the property of Joseph Combes, of Loudoun County, and may go in that neighbourhood where he has some relations. I will give the above reward for those two Negroes being delivered to me, and Forty Shillings for either, exclusive of what the law allows.

ELIZABETH GRAHAM
June 15, 1791.
99-3w.

~ ~ ~

Alexandria Daily Advertiser
10 June 1807

THREE DOLLARS REWARD.

RAN AWAY about the 21st of May last, a negro boy slave, named SOLOMON, the property of Miss Nancy Morton, living in Prince William county, and hired of her until the end of this year: he is about 14 years old, of a black complexion, with a very wide mouth, his clothes are unknown; The above reward will be given to any person who will apprehend and deliver him to Miss Nancy Morton, or to the subscriber, living in Prince William county.

John M. Wilkinson
June 10

~ ~ ~

National Intelligencer & Washington Advertiser 
25 October 1809

RAN AWAY FROM THE SUBSCRIBER LIVING in Brenton, Prince William County, Virg. on the 11th Aug. 1809, a Mulatto man named CAESAR, 21 or 2 years of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, calls himself Keys; is much sun-burned, has a full suit of hair--took with him a pair of nankeep pantaloons, a Bennet Cord waistcoat having yellow and red collars; a short dark summer coat, besides several other articles. It is apprehended he has gone northward, having been traced into Washington City with a crowd of negroes returning from the camp meeting held in Fairfax county. He is not skilled in any handy craft, but has been entirely accustomed to the business of a plantation. Whoever shall apprehend the said negro, and secure him in any jail, shall receive twenty dollars reward--if brought home all reasonable charges shall be paid by the subscriber. Masters of vessels are cautioned against receiving on board their vessels the said Slave.

GERARD ALEXANDER, Sen.
Sept. 32-2awtf

Homestead Deed: Robert A. Keys (1890)

Homestead Deed of Robert A. Keys
PWCo Deed Book 40, pg. 12

Know all men by these Presents that I, Robert A. Keys a citizen of Prince William County, and state of Virginia, being a householder and head of a family, and being desirous of claiming the benefit of the provisions of chapter 178 of the Code of Virginia of 1887, and amendment thereto under the pursuance of the state constitution of 1867, entitled exemption of property of a householder on head of a family from levy, seizure, garnishment or sale, for debts or liabilities on contract, by this deed made on this the 6th day of October 1890, do declare my intention of claiming such homestead on the following property, owned by me to wit:

12 acres of land at Brentsville, Va. upon which I now reside, and which was purchased by me from J. B. Reid & wife.

1 Bureau / $250.00
35 Barrels of corn / $10.00
40 shocks of fodder / $6.00
1 Red heifer 2 years old in June net / $9.00

Which said property selected and designated and set apart, I the said Robert A. Keys by virtue of the provisions of the chapter aforesaid of the Virginia Code of 1887, claim to hold exempt from levy, seizure, garnishing and sale.

Witness the following signature and seal

Robert A. [x his mark] Keys {seal}

Witnesses to the signature of R. A. Keys

W. W. Buckley
A. W. Sinclair

In Prince William County Court, Oct. 6th 1890.

This Homestead Deed of Robt. A. Keys was presented to the Court, acknowledged by the Grantor and was ordered to be recorded.

Teste, E. Nelson  Clk

Deed: Cornwell to Lynn (1849)

Deed: Cornwell & Wife to Lynn &c.
PWCo Deed Book 20 pg. 302

This Indenture made __ day of June 1849 between Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell (his wife) of the county of Prince William & State of Virginia of the one part and Levi C. Lynn & James Norman of the same county & State of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Silas K. Cornwell and Catharine Cornwell for and in consideration of the sum of Forty Dollars to them by the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman in hand paid, the receipt whereof that said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell doth hereby acknowledge, hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents, doth, grant, bargain, sell & convey unto the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman, their heirs and assigns forever a certain parcel of land supposed to contain Five Acres, lying and being in the county of Prince William, and adjoining the land of Jno. Sullivan Jr. John Keys & William Goodwin Sr. being a part of the land allotted to Sarah C. Calvert from her Father's Estate. To have and to hold the said parcel of land with the appurtenances thereto belonging to them the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use & behoof of the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs & assigns forever.  And the said Silas K. Cornwell and Catharine Cornwell for themselves, heirs executors & admr. doth here covenant & give to & with the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs and assigns forever that they the said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell and their heirs the said parcel of land with its appurtenances unto the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs & assigns forever against them the said Silus K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell and their heirs forever and against all persons whomsoever and shall and will by these presents forever warrent and defend.  And witness whereof the said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine hath hereunto set their hand and affixed their seal this 4th day of June and year before written.

Silas K. Cornwell {seal}
Catharine [X her mark] Cornwell {seal}

Prince William Cty to wit

Silas K. Cornwell this day came before us A. H. Saunders & C. E. Norman Justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify sd. acknowledgement to the clerk of the county court of Prince Wm. in order that it may be recorded and on the same day Catharine Cornwell wife of Silas K. Cornwell, who was examined separately and apart from her husband, and made a similar acknowledgement and request, and said it was he voluntary act, and that she did not wish to retract, Given under our hand and seals this the 4th day of June 1847.

A. H. Saunders {seal}
C. E. Norman {seal}

In Prince William County Court June 4, 1849

This deed from Cornwell & wife to Lynn &c. was presented to court with certificate annexed & ordered to be recorded.

Teste -- J. Williams  C. C.



["&c" is often used in land records as an abbreviation for et cetera, Latin for "and the rest." --cgl] 

Wedding Wednesday: Keys/McEuen and Weeks/Herndon

Evening Star (Washington, DC)

27 December 1888

MARRIED AT THE COURT-HOUSE

Two Couples from Virginia and One from Maryland

This morning when the office of the clerk of the court opened there was in the corridor a young couple waiting for a marriage license. This was made out in the names of Wilman J. Weeks and Angeline A. Herndon, both of Branchville, Prince William county, Va.  before this license was issued another couple appeared and procured a license bearing the names of Edward Grove and Cornelia Tucker, both of White Plains, Charles county, Md. A suggestion was made, as they were strangers, that a minister could be procured speedily and a court-room could be opened for the ceremonies. These suggestions were accepted and Rev. Dr. Corey, of the Metropolitan M. E. church, was sent for and tied the double knot in the presence of a large number of members of the bar, clerks and others. In a few minutes thereafter James M. Keys and Catherine McEuen, both of Brentsville, Prince William county, Va., appeared. They were shown into the private room of one of the judges, and Rev. L. H. York, a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, was sent for and made them one.

PWCo Items: 1 August 1874

Alexandria Gazette
1 August 1874

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

The water in the well of Mr. E. E. Conner, of this place, became so strongly tinctured with coal oil several months ago that the family was compelled to discontinue its use.  Last week Mr. C. had the well cleaned out. There was found an oily substance on the surface of the water which, on having fire applied to it, burned as brilliantly as the best coal oil. Mr. C. cannot account for the presence of the substance.

Edwards, a German, living with Mr. C. Matthis, of this place, had occasion to go on top the barn one day last wee, and, missing his footing, fell to the ground a distance of fifteen or eighteen feet, sustaining a terrible fracture of one of his legs and a very bad sprain of an ankle. The bones were terribly shivered between the knee and ankle joints and protruded through the flesh.

Constable Keys, with a number of men, surrounded and arrested Monroe Atchison, on Saturday last, at Horton's store. Atchison is one of the brothers, two others of which are at large, who are suspected of stealing two horses from the Herndons. He was taken before Justice Law, who committed him to jail. Atchison expects to prove an alibi.

A wandering albino, with a pack on his back, passed through here one day last week. His complexion was almost snow white, and his hair, including his beard, eyebrows and lashes, if possible, were whiter than his skin. His eyes were almond shaped, and a light cherry-red. He was of light statue, and walked as nimbly as a cat.

Nearly every well in the town of Manassas has gone dry, and will continue so while they remain at their present depth -- from fifteen to twenty feet.

One Wednesday, the 5th of August, at Sudley church, a festival will be held for the purpose of raising funds for the completion of said church.

Delegates to the Congressional Convention to meet at Tappahannock on Wednesday next will be appointed at Brentsville on Monday.

Horse racing, which bid fair in the early summer to be all the rage at Manassas, seems to have entirely died out.

Blackberries are plentiful now, and selling at from two to three cents a quart.

The corn crop, from present appearances, we fear, will be a short one.

The County Court for the August term sits on Monday next.

Gift Deed: Samuel Keys to James Keys et al (1802)

Deed of Gift
Samuel Keys to James Keys et al
PWCo Deed Book 20, pg. 8

KNOW all men by these presents that I Samuel Keys of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia for and in consideration of the Natural love and affection which I have and do bear towards my children, Jane Keys, Elizabeth Keys, William Keys, and Frances Keys of the County and State aforesaid as well for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to me in hand paid (the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge) have given and granted as by these presents do give and grant unto the said Jane Keys, Elizabeth Keys, William Keys and Frances Keys their heirs Executors, administrators and assigns all the property which I am now possessed of (to be equally divided among them) as listed and subscribe by me on the back of these presents. To have and to hold the said property unto the aforesaid Jane Keys, Elizabeth Keys, William Keys and Frances Keys their heirs Exrs, admrs, or assigns forever and I the said Samuel Keys for myself my heirs & do by these presents warrant the aforesaid property unto my aforesaid children against the claim of all persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 8th Day of June 1802.

Samuel [X his mark] Keys {seal}

Sealed and delivered in presence of
John Williams
Thos. A. Smith
William Smith

At a Court continued and held for Prince Wm. County the 8th Day of June 1802.

This Deed of Gift from Samuel Keys to Jane Keys, Elizabeth Keys, William Keys and Frances Keys was acknowledged by said Samuel to be his act and deed and ordered to be recorded.

Teste.   John Williams,  Cl Cur.

Newspaper Tidbit: Holds Family Reunion (Shumate) (1930)

Manassas Journal (Manassas, VA)
13 July 1939

HOLDS FAMILY REUNION

The home of Rev. and Mrs. A. H. Shumate of Dumfries, was the scene of a family reunion on Sunday, July 8. The guests for dinner included Mr. and Mrs. F. N. Keys and family and Mr. E. H. Keys of Joplin, Va., Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Keys, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dove, Mr. A. J. Kincheloe, Mr. Stanley Keys and Miss Eula Shaw, all of Alexandria, Va., Mr. and Mrs. James Keys and children, of Philadelphia, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Keys and children of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Chandler, of Richmond, Mr. Virgil Abel, of Quantico, Mr. Stephen Lucas, of New Jersey, Mr. Turner, of Dumfries, Mr. Roberts, of South Carolina, Mr. Moone, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Schulizke, of Dumfries, Mr. Godfrey, of Pennsylvania, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Cato and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Keys, Mr. Vivian Rainey, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Smith and children, Louise Margaret and Edna Green, Mr. and Mrs. Noel Roberts and son, Mr. Bernard Kincheloe, and Mr. David Cline.

Later during the evening other relatives, who dropped in, were Mr. and Mrs. Magruder Keys and Patricia, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Brawner and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ruel Waters and family, Mr. and Mrs. Winter Keys and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Keys and son of Fredericksburg, Mrs. Grover King, Mrs. Warfield Brown and daughter, Mrs. Kate Keys, Mr. Wilson Kincheloe, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Russell, of Manassas, Mr. and Mrs. Oertley Davis, of Washington, and Mr. Jim Russell, of Canova. Delicious refreshments were served on the lawn by the hostess, assisted by her sister, Mrs. Cato.

Deed: Inquisition on Rice's Land (1808)

Inquisition on Rice's Land
PWCo Deed Bk 3, pg. 379

INQUISITION INDENTED and taken this fourteenth day of April Anno Domini 1808 at the Court House of Prince William County Between Philip D. Dawe Escheater for the Commonwealth of Virginia in and for the County aforesaid of the one part and George Williams, Samuel Davis, Wm. Keys, Benjamin Cole, Samuel Ashton, Noah Maddox, Benjamin Carney, James Holliday, George Cockrell, John Lowe, Thos. Jacob, Joseph Gilbert, John Watson, Wm. Cocke, Wm. Farrow and Beverly R. Wagener, good and lawful men and freeholders of the same County impannelled by the Sheriff of the same County and duly sworn, Witnesseth that the same good and lawful men so impannelled and sworn as aforesaid do find that Francis Rice late of the Borough of Norfolk dies siezed in fee simple of a tract of land containing one hundred and forty acres more or less lying near Dumfries in Prince Wm. County commonly called Grays that by his will duly proved and recorded in the Borough Court of Norfolk he devised said land to his wife Elizabeth Rice during her life and after her death to any children of the said Elizabeth that she might have after his the said Francis's death and if she should die without having such issue then to his the said Rice's surviving brothers and sisters, that said Elizabeth died sometime in the year 1804 -- without having any issue and that the brothers and sisters of the said Francis Rice appear to us to be aliens, It also does not appear to the jurors and Escheater aforesaid that the wife of the said Rice was a Citizen or that she hath relatives citizens of any of the United States of America, Therefore forasmuch as the said Francis Rice died without heir citizen of this Commonwealth or of the United States of America capable of holding the said before mentioned tract of land, that the same Escheated to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to the same Commonwealth doth of right belong. We accordingly do escheat the same, Witness the hands and seals of the Escheator and of the jurors aforesaid the day and year above written.

Phil. D. Dawe
Geo. Williams
Saml. Davis
William Keys
Benjamin Cole
Saml. Ashton
Benjamin Carney
James Holliday
George Cockrell
John Lowe
Thomas Jacob
Joseph Gilbert
John Watson
William Cocke
William Farrow
B. N. Wagener

N.B. The within mentd. land was purchased by William Savage of David Bland Deed recorded in the County Court of Prince Wm. in the year 1779, Savage devised his Estate to Edward Rice his will recorded in the General Court in 1789 Edwd. Rice devised hsi EState to Francis Rice within named his will recorded in the District Court held at Suffolk in 1801. Francis Rice devised it as writhin.

Phil. D. Dawe   Escheator for Prince Wim. County

At a Court held for Prince William County, May 2nd 1808

This Inquisition on Francis Rice's land in Prince Wm. County was returned to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste  J. Williams   cl cur

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Congressional Meeting (1870)

Alexandria Gazette
13 September 1870

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY CONGRESSIONAL MEETING.--At a meeting of Conservatives of Prince William county, held at the Court House in Brentsville, on Monday the 5th inst., Allen Howison, was called to the chair and D. W. Whiting and R. M. Waters appointed Secretaries. On motion of Charles E. Sinclair, the chairman appointed a committee of three from each Township to select five delegates from each of the Townships to the Congressional Convention to be held in Alexandria on Friday the 29th inst.

The Committee retired and reported the names of the following gentleman for delegates.

Brentsville Township--James F. Clark, W. J. Manuel, E. E. Meredith, J. M. Sinclair, W. W. Thornton.

Coles Towhship--John W. Davis, Meredith W. Horton, John H. Purcell, M. B. Weedon, Wm. M. Lynn

Dumfries Township--J. F. Wheat, G. E. Keys, A. H. Fucchsthal, G. W. Dunnington, Richard Stonnell

Occoquan Township--Dr. Powell, J. V. Nash, Z. A. Kankey, Vernon Davis

Manassas Township--T. J. Leachman, G. O. Donahue, F. A. Weedon, Dr. L. Alexander

Gainesville Township--Samuel Simpson, Col. Berkeley, George S. Hamilton, John T. Gundiff

Which report was concurred in. On motion of James F. Clark the chairman, secretaries, and committee were added to the list of delegates. It was resolved that Charles E. Sinclair be chairman of the delegation and that an authenticated copy of the proceedings be furnished to the chairman by the Secretaries; it was further resolved that a report of the proceedings of this meeting be published in the county papers and the district papers be requested to copy. The meeting, on motion then adjourned.

ALLEN HOWISON, Chairman

R. M. WATERS,
D. W. WHITING, Secretaries


At a meeting held at the Court House on Monday last, for the purpose of organization of the Conservative party, Mr. F. A. Weedon was called to the chair and E. E. Meredith appointed secretary.

Mr. B. F. Lewis was appointed county superintendent.

The following gentlemen were appointed on the township committees.

Cole's--Levi C. Lynn, Laurence Cole, and John W. Davis

Brentsville--J. F. Clark, Judge Nicol, and D. W. Whitting

Dumfries--J. C. Weedon, J. W. Chapman, and J. H. Jordan

MAnassas--F. J. Cannon, W. W. Davis, and John. H. Butler

Occoquan-- Dr. Powell, Dr. Ish, and J. V. Nash

Gainesville--Colonel S. Simpson, C. Cushing and Luther Lynn

Deed: Keys to Storke (1907)

Deed:  John L. Keys to L. M. and Mary Storke
PWCo Deed Book 57, pg. 284

THIS DEED made the 4th day of July, 1907, between John L. Keys of the first part and L. M. Storke and Mary V. Storke, of the second part, WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars the said John L. Keys doth grant unto the said L. M. Storke and Mary V. Storke, with general warranty all that certain piece or parcel of land known as the old Stone House lot situate at Independent Hill, Prince William County, Virginia, and bounded as follows: Beginning at a stone on N. side of the Independent Hill and Brentsville road, a corner to said John L. Keys, and running with said Keys line in a N.E. direction about 700 yards to a large white oak stump and stone thence at a slight angle to the northward about 40 yards to a stake and stone, thence in an easterly direction about 23 yards to a stone in Larkin's line, thence in a straight line with Larkin's line in a S.W. direction to a stone on east side of the Fredericksburg road; thence with said road to the beginning, and containing 1-1/2 acres, more or less, with a reserve of a right of way the width of the township hall to the Brentsville and Dumfries road.

And the said Grantor  covenants that he has the right to convey the said land to the grantees; that he has done no act to encumber the land; that the grantees shall have quiet possession of said land free from all encumbrances, and that he the said grantor will execute said further assurance of the said land as may be requisite.

Witness the following signature and seals.

John L. Keys {seal}

Prince William County, to wit:

I, J. S. Storke, a justice within and for the County aforesaid, of the State of Virginia, do certify that John L. Keys, whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date on the 4th day of July, 1907, has acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid. Given under my hand this 4th day of July, 1907.

J. S. Storke, J. P.

In Clerk's Office Circuit Court of Prince William County, May 28, 1908.

This Deed from Keys to Storke, was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste:  E. Nelson   Clk

Deed: Ashby to Linton (1912)

Deed:  W. J. Ashby and Elizabeth Ashby to R. C. Linton

PWCo Deed Book 63, pg. 143

THIS DEED made this 30 day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and twelve, between W. J. Ashby and Elizabeth Ashby, his wife, parties of the first part, and R. C. Linton, party of the second part:

WITNESSETH: That the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS, to them cash in hand paid by the said party of the second part, before the signing, sealing and delivering of these presents, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do grant unto the said party of the second part, with covenants of GENERAL WARRANTY, all of that certain tract or parcel of land, lying and being situate near Independent Hill, in Coles Magisterial District, Prince William County, Virginia on the Warrenton-Dumfries Road, containing about FORTY ACRES, be the same more or less, it being the remainder of that certain tract of land,c ontaining 62 acres, roods and 11 poles, which was conveyed to Lawrence Cole by deed from Lucien A. Davis, clerk of the county court of Prince William County, bearing date the 13th day of April, 1876, and recorded in the land records of said county Deed Book 30, pg. 438 and by the said Lawrence Cole conveyed to the said William J. Ashby by deed, in which the wife of the said Lawrence Cole united, bearing the date 8th day of December 1883 and recorded in the said office in Deed Book No. 34 P. 418, less, however a tract of land heretofore conveyed by the said parties of the first part to the said party of the second party, and also less another part and parcel of the said land heretofore conveyed by the said parties of the first part to William Retzer, leaving a tract estimated at FORTY ACRES, which is hereby conveyed, to which said several deeds reference is here made for a more detailed description of the said land hereby conveyed, which adjoins the lands of the late Frank Gallahan, Ed. Keys et als., it being expressly covenanted, however, that the land herein conveyed, is sold by the lump and not by the acre, and that there is to be no other compensation or reduction, should the said tract exceed or fall short of forty acres.

In testimony whereof, the said parties do hereto affix their signatures and seals the day and year first above written.

W. J. Ashby (SEAL)

Elizabeth Ashby (SEAL)

STATE OF VIRGINIA, County of Prince William, to-wit:

I, Robt. A. Hutchison, a commissioner in chancery for the circuit court of Prince William, do certify that William J. Ashby and Elizabeth Ashby, whose names are signed to the writing annexed, bearing date the 30th day of December 1912, have acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.

Given under my hand this the 30th day of December, 1912.

Robt. A. Hutchison, Com'r in Chy.

In the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court for Prince William County, January 1, 1913 at 3 O'clock, P.M. THIS DEED from W. J. Ashby and Elizabeth Ashby to R. C. Linton was received with certificate of acknowledgement of the grantors annexed, and admitted to record.

Teste: J. E. Herrell .  Clerk

[Margin Note:  "Mailed to R. C. Linton March 4, 1913.  J. E. H."]

Society Saturday: Tournament (1860)

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)
28 September 1860

A TOURNAMENT was held last Tuesday in the neighboring county of Prince William at the store of Wm. H. Keys. A large number were present. The successful knights were Jas. S. Cole, who named Miss Julia Tansil Queen of Love and Beauty; S. F. Davis, who named Miss Jennie Carney, First Maid of Honor; Jas. V. Nash, who named (per Montgomery Tansil) Miss Bettie Cockerell, Second Maid; and Maj. Jas. R. Purcell who named Miss Mollie Pridmore, Third Maid. The charge to the Knights was delivered by James E. Williams.

In connection with the tournament a cotillion party was given which passed off very creditably and was continued the next day (Wednesday). Much satisfaction was expressed at the manner in which the host (Mr. Wm. H. Keys) discharged his arduous duties. The occasion was one long to be remembered by all who took part in it.

New Materials Online: Kopp, Virginia by Raymond W. Woolfenden, Sr.

KOPP, VIRGINIA by Raymond W. Woolfenden, Sr.

"Kopp, Virginia", a book regarding the "lost" community of Kopp, Virginia, was formerly only available in a limited-edition printed form, including a copy residing at RELIC (Bull Run Library). The book was started by Raymond W. ("Cousin Ray") Woolfenden, Sr. and completed by his daughter, Casmere Woolfenden Kistner, with a number of people providing source materials.

With many thanks to the Woolfenden family, a digital copy is now free and available online under RELIC's digital archives!

Kopp, Virginia disappeared in the early 1940's when the Federal Government took the land via eminent domain and displaced the families to create Quantico Marine Base. Some of the families that lost their land include Abel, Arrington, Cole, Copen, Davis, Holmes, Keys, Lowe, Lynn, Suthard, Wood, and Woolfenden.

Law & Order: WARRANT DISMISSED (Forest Hill Church)

Free Lance (Fredericksburg, VA)
29 August 1911

WARRANT DISMISSED

Mr. Linden Atchison was tried at Joblins [sic], Prince William county, Saturday, before Squire Keys, charged with disturbing religious worship at Forest Hill church in that county.

The case was heard in a private room in the residence of Mr. Crow, none being allowed to be present save the witnesses and attorneys.

Squire Keys after hearing the testimony of some 15 witnesses, most of whom said that a Mr. Anderson was the cause of the disburbance, dismissed the case and discharged Atchison.

Commonwealth's Attorney Davis and R. A. Hutchinson, of Manassas, represented Anderson, who swore out the warrant, and Frederick W. Coleman represented Atchison.

NARA: Passport Application: James M. Keys (1921)

National Archives & Record Administration
Passport Application
12 February 1921

State of Florida
County of Monroe

I, James M. Keys, a native and loyal citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the Department of State, at Washington, for a passport.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Tuscombia, in the State of Alabama, on or about 18th day of June 1891, that my father James A. Keys, was born in Dumfries, Va., and is now deceased ...

...that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Tuscombia, in the State of Alabama, where I follow the occupation of Engineer, Loc.

...I am about to go abroad temporarily; and I intend to return to the United States within one year with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and I desire a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purpose:  Cuba - Employment

I intend to leave the United States from the port of Key West, Fla. sailing aboard the P&O.SS.Line as soon as possible.