Showing posts with label lowe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lowe. Show all posts

Friday, December 30, 2022

Newspaper Tidbit: Sing Christmas Carols

Manassas Democrat
30 December 1909

SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS

An artistic success in every particular was the Christmas carol service by members of Trinity Episcopal Sunday school at the church on Christmas morning. Those who braved the storm to attend were more than repaid by the splendid rendition. The church was beautifully decorated with holly, running cedar and pine on a white background and with cut flowers.

In addition accompanying the carols, the choir sang "There Were Shepherds," by Millard. Miss Faith Chapman accompanist. Among those taking part in the service were Sophie, Ann and Gladys Delmas; Dorothy, Gertrude, Romaine and Burr Button; Mary Lee and Evelyn Chapman; Mattie and Thelma Nash; Elizabeth Lowe; Margaret Roop; Ethel, Comfort and Douglas Lion, Erwin Mather; Edith Lipscomb.



Monday, October 5, 2020

Deed: Lowe to Leary (with graveyard)

Deed:  Lowe to Leary
Prince William County Deed Book 57, pg. 4

THIS DEED made this 28th day of August, in the year 1907, between S. R. Lowe, Jr., and Ida M., his wife, of the one part and Henry G. Leary of the other part, WITNESSETH; That the said Lowe and wife for and in consideration of the sum of Three Thousand dollars, in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have granted, bargained and sold and do by these presents grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Leary with General Warranty all those two certain tracts or parcles of land lying and being situate in Coles District in Prince William County, as follows: 

1st Tract, containing by estimation 202 acres and is the same land of which Basil King, died seized and possessed and which was conveyed to Samuel R. Lowe Sr. by John S. Mosby, Comr. by deed recorded in Liber 26 page 474. 

2nd Tract, Beginning at a stone pile on the east side of Blandsford Road, thence S.12-1/4 E.49 poles to P. a small white oak marked with a knife, a corner of S. R. Lowe, Jr., thence with said Lowe's line S. 19 1/4 W.175 poles to the Blandsford Road, thence with the road to the beginning, containing 24 acres, be the same more or less and which last tract of land was conveyed to the said S. R. Lowe Sr. by J. B. T. Thornton, Corm. by deed recorded in Liber 42 page 308, and the said two tracts being the same which were conveyed by the said Sam'l R. Lowe Sr. to the said Sam'l R. Lowe J. and Willis E. Lowe, by deed recorded in Liber 50 page 439 and the said Willis E. Lowe conveyed his undivided interest in the said two tracts of land to the said S. R. Lowe Jr. by deed recorded in Liber 56 page 313.

But the said Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. reserves and excepts from this conveyance the grave yard situated on the first mentioned tract, containing one-half acre and the right of ingress and egress to and from the said grave yard. And the said Lowe and wife covenant that they have the right to convey the said two tracts of land unto the grantee, that they have done no act to encumber the same, that the said grantee shall have quiet possession of the said two tracts of land, with the exception of the one half acre herein reserved and that the said Lowe and wife will execute such further assurances as may be requisite.

Witness the following signatures and seals.

S. R. Lowe, Jr. (Seal)
Ida M. Lowe (Seal)

Prince William County, to-wit:

I, J. M. Ellicott, a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, do certify that S. R. Lowe, Jr. and Ida M. Lowe, his wife, whose names are signed to the writing above, bearing date on the 28th day of August, 1907, have acknowledged the same before me in  my county aforesaid. Given under my hand this 28th day of August, 1907.

J. M. Ellicott, J.P.

In Clerk's Office Circuit Court of Prince William County, October 28, 1907.

This DEED from Lowe to Leary was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste:  E. Nelson, Clerk

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

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



Sunday, September 15, 2019

New Materials Online: 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.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Newspaper Tidbit: Prince William Township Officers

Alexandria Gazette
31 May 1873

PRINCE WILLIAM TOWNSHIP OFFICERS -- The following township officers were elected at the May election, in addition to those given in our last issue.

Brentsville Township -- Supervisor, J. B. Reid; Assessor, James M. Sinclair; Clerk, A. F. Woodyard; Collector, John T. Goodwin; Commissioner of Roads, John A. Brawner; Overseer of Poor, Benj. F. Manuel; Justices of the Peace, A. F. Woodyard til 1875, and Jno. D. Payne til 1876; Constables, John T. Goodwin, till 18875; Geo. B. Chichester, til 1876.

Occoquan Township -- Supervisor, Dr. Milton A. Ish; Clerk, L. Ledman; Assessor, Absalom T. Lynn; Collector, Geo. W. Tansill; Commissioner of Roads, A. M. Arrington; Overseer of Poor, M. Curtis; Justice of the Peace, C. W. Holland 3 years; Constable, Geo. W. Tansill 3 years.

Coles Township -- Supervisor, M. N. Lynn; Clerk, Wm. B. Lynn; Assessor, J. M. Barbee, Collector, Robert H. Keys; Commissioner of Roads, Roy L. Davis; Overser of poor, John H. Lynn; Justice of Peace, Sam. R. Lowe, 3 years; Constable, Robert H. Keyes, 3 years.

Dumfries Townhip -- Supervisor, Chas. F. Bayley; Clerk, Wm. A. Dunnington; Assessor, Wm. S. Chapman; Collector, James V. Nash; Commissioner of Roads, Henry C. Brawner; Overseer of Poor, James Clark; Justices of the Peace, A. H. Fuechsel til 1876; George R. Atkinson till 1874; Constables, Jas. V. Nash, till 1876, Benjamin Lynn, til 1875 -- Manassas Gazette





Sunday, October 26, 2014

Church Record Sunday: Newspaper Tidbits: Baptist Church

Alexandria Gazette
August 21, 1873

Union Grove speaks of being poor financially, yet rich in the Lord.  Still regards Bro. Dulin as pastor, though he has left them.  Desires to build a house of worship, and asks assistance.  They have licensed Bro. C. W. Teasdale to preach the Gospel.



Alexandria Gazette
October 10, 1874

A protracted meeting by the New School Baptists closed last week, which had been in progress near Blands Ford for two or three weeks.  The meetings were held in the woods in the day time and at Mr. Barnes' house at night.  The exercises were under the charge of Rev. Wallace Newman who was assisted by Rev. Mr. Risdon, Rev. Mr. Lowe, and Rev. Mr. Teasdale.  The meetings were well attended and resulted in the addition of seven new members, who received the ordinance of baptism on Sunday ast.



Alexandria Gazette
April 15, 1876

CHURCH ORGANIZATION. -- The pastors and delegates from the following churches convened at Occoquan on April 9th, 1876, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church at that place:

Clifton, J. W. Ashford and G. W. Tillett; Jerusalem, T. T. Burke; Oak Dale, B. P. Dulin; Woodbine, S. F. Teasdale and S. G. Teasdale.

After a thorough investigation of the matter, it was unanimously adopted by the committee, and Rev. B. P. Dulin was chosen to preach the organization sermon, after which Rev. W. S. Kerns delivered the charge to the organized body.  The meeting then adjourned.



Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Wedding Wednesday: Mary Carrie Copen and Joseph B. Florence

Manassas Journal
June 21, 1901

Wedding Bells

Miss Mary Carrie Copen, daughter of Mr. C. W. Copen, and Mr. Joseph B. Florence were married Wednesday June 12th at 11 a. m. at the home of the bride's parents in this county, Elder Geo. W. Lowe officiating.  The bride entered the parlor with the groom.  She was beautifully dressed in white and carried brides roses arranged in a shower bo[u]quet.  Miss Nannie L. Florence, maid of honor proceeded the bride, wearing white and carrying pink roses.  Miss Sallie Lynn was bridesmaid.  Mr. W. W. Tolson was the groom's best man.  Mr. Meredith Florence, usher.  Only relatives and a few family friends were present.  The bride and groom left for a short trip to Washington after the wedding dinner was served.


Sunday, April 27, 2014

Church Record Sunday: Deed: Lynn to Trustees of Woodbine Baptist Church

DEED
Levi C. Lynn and Edna A. Lynn to Trustees of Woodbine Baptist Church
Deed Book 30, pgs 207-208
25 May 1875

This deed made this twenty fifth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy five between LEVI C. LYNN and EDNA A. LYNN his wife of the first part and LEVI C. LYNN, JOHN H. RENOE, GEORGE W. LOWE, CHARLES W. TEASDALE and AYLETT NICOL Trustees of the second part.  Witnesseth, that in consideration of the sum of Five dollars the said LEVI C. LYNN and Edna A. Lynn do grant unto the said Trustees herein before named with general warranty all that certain lot of land lying in Coles Magisterial District, Prince William County Virginia and bounded and described as follows.  Beginning at the corner of Mrs. MARY SULLIVAN’s land on the Post road from Manassas to Beulah, thence along said road southerly 70 yards to a stone, thence westerly parallel to Mrs. SULLIVAN’s line 70 yards to a stone, thence northerly with the road 70 yards to Mrs. SULLIVAN’s line, and thence easterly along Mrs. SULLIVAN’s line to the beginning, containing about one acre.  In Trust nevertheless, that the said Trustees will hold said property for the use and benefit of the Baptist Church (commonly called the “New School”) and that they will allow the proper authorities of said Church to use it for the worship of God in accordance with the customs and regulations of said Church and the laws of Virginia:  The being those confirmed by the Circuit Court of Prince William at the May Term thereof for the said church known as the “Woodbine” Baptist Church, said property to revert to the grantors or their heirs if it ceases to be used for the purposes expressed in the deed.

The said parties of the first part covenant that they have the right to convey said land to the grantees that they have done no act to encumber the said land: that the grantees shall have quiet possession of the said land, free of all encumbrances, and that the parties of the first part will execute such further assurances of the said land as may be required.

L. C. LYNN  {Seal}
EDNA A. LYNN {Seal}

State of Virginia, County of Prince William, to wit:

I, GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public for the County aforesaid, in the state of Virginia do certify that LEVI C. LYNN whose name is signed to the within writing bearing date on the 25th day of May 1875 has acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid.  Given under my hand this 25 day of May 1875.

GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public
Pr. Wm. Co. Va.

State of Virginia, County of Prince William, to wit:

I, GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public for the County of Prince William in the state of Virginia, do certify that EDNA A. LYNN the wife of LEVI C. LYNN whose names are signed to the within writing bearing date on the 25 day of May 1875, personally appeared before me in the County aforesaid, and being examined by me privately and apart from her husband and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to her, she the said EDNA A. LYNN acknowledged the said writing to be her act, and declared that she had willingly executed the same and does not wish to retract it.  Given under my hand this 25 day of May 1875.

GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public, Pr. Wm. Co. Va.

In Prince William County Court June 8th 1875

This deed from LYNN & wife to Trustees of “Woodbine” Baptist Church with certificates annexed was presented to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste.

LUCIEN A. DAVIS, Clerk


Friday, April 25, 2014

Newspaper Tidbit: Pastor Writes from Kentucky (1920)

Manassas Journal
February 6, 1920
Page 8

PASTOR WRITES FROM KENTUCKY

Rev. Mr. Rixey, Now at Theological Seminary, Recalls Prince William Days

The Journal is in receipt of an interesting letter from Rev. R. P. Rixey, of Fredericksburg, a former Prince William pastor, who is now at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky.:

“You may be surprised that news from your paper reaches to this city of 250,000 in far off Kentucky, 700 miles from Manassas.  Some mutual friend sent me a clipping from a late copy of The Journal with the letter you published from Rev. R. T. Hayes, of Pendleton, Va., telling of his work in Louisa county.

The reading of that letter brought back a flood of memories of about five years ago when I was the pastor of Woodbine and Bellehaven churches in Prince William county, and Brother Hayes was debating the question of giving up his position with the Standard Oil Company to enter the ministry.  I have never had cause to regret the fact that I then urged him to make the sacrifice needed and concecrate [sic] his life to so noble a calling.  I saw him take his departure shortly for Louisville, Ky., to make the preparation he needed.  I saw him two years later when he returned and began his good work in Louisa county.  I have helped him there two years in special meetings at one of the churches.

So much impressed was I with the intellectual and other help he had secured at the Seminary, that I made up my mind that I wanted the same.  It is seldom a man of my age, who enters the ministry as late in life as I did, ever goes to a Seminary.  However, I resigned my two churches and came last October for special work, and have greatly enjoyed the course of study.

I am by far the oldest man at the Seminary this year, but have no difficulty keeping up with the young men in my studies and have successfully passed all examinations.

I wish more of our older men would come here for preparation for this work.

My mind runs back over the past five years, and it seems but a short time since I enjoyed the hospitality of the homes I shall never forget; and the names Woodbine, Independent Hill and Bellhaven will never be forgotten.  The kindness and consideration of the people, in view of my imperfect work, will be to me always a source of gratitude and wonder.

Such names as Hayes, Hill, Cornwell, Smith, Russell, Luck, Merrill, Tubbs, Donohue, Wolfenden, Lynn, Storke, Lowe, Wine, Wright, Abel and many others, too numerous to mention, will live with me so long as memory lasts.  I wonder if Mrs. Sam Lowe remembers that little homemade rug she gave me!  It is on my floor in far off Kentucky, and I see it as I write this letter.  Considerably worn now, but still in use.  Mrs. Donohoe and her sisters loaded down my buggy many times with good things for my folks at home.  So did others, who were church members.  I refer to Mrs. Sam Lowe and Mrs. Donohoe and her sisters specially, because they were not members of my churches, which made their kindness the more remarkable.

I hope when I get back to my home in Fredericksburg next June to have the pleasure of a visit to these churches again and a chance to persecute each of them at least once, with a sermon.”

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Church Record Sunday: Woodbine Baptist Church

Woodbine Baptist Church (now Woodbine Family Worship Center) has served the spiritual needs of its congregation in Independent Hill, Coles Magisterial District, since May of 1875. 

Woodbine Baptist Church (1875)
(photo by C.Lynn)
There are currently two churches on site – the original frame, one-room church built in 1875 (the “Little Church”) and the present-day church built in the 1950s to replace it.  The Little Church was moved to the southwest corner of the cemetery lot in the early 1960s.  In 1973, spearheaded by Mrs. Mabel Carter, Ray Wood, and Gene Wells* (a 14 year old parishioner), the congregation raised enough funding to restore the Little Church.  It stands there to this day and remains in use for special occasions, like this morning’s Easter Sunrise Service.

Levi C. Lynn, son of Benson Lynn and his first wife, Emily Norman, donated the original land for the church in 1875 (PWCo Deed Book 30, pg. 207).  He served as one of the original Trustees, along with Deacon Sidney F. Teasdale, John H. Renoe, George W. Lowe, Charles W. Teasdale, and Aylett Nicol.  Over the years there has been some debate as to whether Levi Lynn also served as a Pastor at the New-School Baptist church that he founded.  On its 100th anniversary celebration, the original Bible was returned and donated to Woodbine, where it remained on display for many years.  The Bible’s dedication page strongly implies that Levi did, indeed, serve as its Pastor.



This Bible presented to L. C. Lynn by Willie
H. Flanders of Philadelphia for the use of
Woodbine Church & the Sabbath School
(attached thereto) as a token of approval
and regard.

October 30, 1875


*This industrious teenager, who according to a 1973 newspaper article “repainted the nameplate sign that swung over the door of the old church, proclaiming for all ‘Woodbine Baptist Church, 1875’” is still part of its congregation.  Today, 41 years later, Gene Wells serves as Woodbine’s Senior Pastor. 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

PWCo Items: Canova (1919)

Manassas Journal
October 17, 1919

CANOVA

Rev. J. A. Golihew, of Washington, pastor of the Baptist Church, has moved with his family to this community. 

Owing to the inclement weather, no services were held at Woodbine Church on Sunday.  Sunday School will be held next Sunday at 11 a.m.

Many from this community attended an oyster supper at Independent Hill Friday evening.

Mr. Clifford Lowe, of Washington, spent the week-end with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Lowe.

Mr. W. H. Cornwell visited friends at Marshall during the week.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Farquhar, of Washington, spent last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Lowe and visited friends in this community.

Mrs. George Purcell and her daughter, Miss Evelyn Purcell, went to Washington Sunday and will make their home in the city for the present.

Mr. T. M. Russell and family motored to Manassas Monday afternoon.

Mr. A. C. Storke passed through Canova Friday, en route to Independent Hill, where he spent the weekend with his mother, Mr.s George Copen.

Mr. I. J. Breeden, of Washington, recently visited at his former home here.

Mr. Joseph Lowe motored to Manassas Monday.


Friday, March 28, 2014

Newspaper Tidbit: Independent Hill Items (4 May 1917)

Recently, a reader pointed out that I tend to post items to my blog that favor (a) the Lynn surname, (b) Brentsville, and/or (c) Independent Hill/Coles District.  That may well be true.  I try to cover the entire county and time periods, but I must admit to a certain bias toward all of the above.

In the case of the Lynn surname, that one's a bit obvious since it's who I hale from and the Lynn Family has been in the county since the early 1700's.  

Brentsville was the county seat for many years and there's a lot of history there worth noting.  The Brentsville Courthouse Historic Site was the first historic site I visited after I moved to the county (even before the Manassas Battlefield) and includes my favorite historic building in the county, the Brentsville Jail.   

As for the community of Independent Hill, that is where my grandfather, Earl Lynn, was born and where his parents and his ancestors lived during most of the 1800s/early 1900s.   Not surprisingly, I love coming across little "Local Items" in newspapers that give personality and depth to the lives of those who lived there. 

Manassas Journal
May 4, 1917

INDEPENDENT HILL

Mr. and Mrs. George Retzer, who spent the past winter in Baltimore with their daughter, Mrs. Graeff, have returned to Virginia and are visiting now at the home of Mrs. H. L. Hinton.

Mrs. George Lowe spent several days last week as the guest of Mrs. John Carter.

Mr. A. M. Yates, of Manassas was a visitor Sunday at the home of Mr. S. Long.

Mr. Carlton Hill, who attended Eastern College the past session has returned to his home to assist in putting in the spring crops.

Mrs. Nellie Keys has returned to Manassas, where she has been staying with Mrs. L. T. Bauserman.

Mr. Earl Lynn motored to Manassas Wednesday in his new motor car.

Mr. Clifton Storke spent a few days this week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Storke.

Hayfield School and Civic League will hold its regular monthly meeting Friday, May 11, beginning at 8 o'clock.  Addresses will be made by Supt. Charles R. McDonald and Hon. C. J. Meetze.  Music and readings will be contributed by Misses Myrtle and Annabel Merrill and Miss Hattie Simpson and Messrs. George Oleyar, R. L. Hinton and Richard Thorp.


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Church Record Sunday: Petition of Woodbine Baptist Church

The following can be found under Library of Virginia PWCo Chancery Case Index No. 1875_044.

~ ~ ~ ~

Petition of Woodbine Baptist Church

I, Sidney F. Teasdale, Deacon of Woodbine Baptist (New School) Church hereby ask the Circuit Court of Prince William County to appoint and confirm as Trustees of said church the following persons:

Levi C. Lynn, John H. Renoe, George W. Lowe, Charles W. Teasdale, and Aylett Nicol as Trustees to hold the property of said church, said Trustees having been appointed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of said church.

S. F. Teasdale

Brentsville, Va.
May 3d, 1875


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Wedding Wednesday: Renoe/Tansill

Alexandria Gazette
September 11, 1907

WEDDING.

Miss Georgia Renoe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Renoe, and Mr. George W. Tansill, of Prince William county, were married at the home of the bride's father at Oak Grove, at noon yesterday, Rev. J. Clifton Bradford, of the Baptist Woodbine church, officiating.  After the wedding a bountiful collation was served.  The newly-married couple will board the Norfolk steamer tonight for a trip to the Jamestown Exposition.  The following guests attended the wedding:  Mr. and Mrs. John Renoe, Miss Jennie Renoe, Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey Fair, Mr. and Mrs. Molair, Mr. and Mrs. Bieber, Miss Evelyn Bieber, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, Mr. Edward Keys, Mr. J. Lynn, Mr. M. H. Hunter, Mr. Ralph Fair and others.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Deed: J.B.T. Thornton, Special Commissioner, to Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. (1897)

The following Deed was executed as part of the judgment in the Chancery suit of Jno. Clarke et als v. Rena E. [Lynn] Tansill.   Mrs. Tansill was the sister of Ida M. [Lynn] Lowe and sister-in-law to the purchaser, Samuel R. Lowe, Jr.  The property conveyed in this Deed would eventually be included in the 1946 Deed between Joseph Lowe and his brother Bradford Lowe.


Deed
J. B. T. Thornton, Special Commissioner, to Samuel R. Lowe, Jr.
PWCo. Deed Book 45, pages 213-215

This Deed, made this 1st day of February 1897 between J.B.T. Thornton, Special Commissioner, as hereinafter set forth party of the first part, and Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. of the County of Prince William, state of Virginia, party of the second part.

Whereas, by a decree of the Circuit Court of the County of Prince William entered on the 11th day of May 1895 in the Chancery case entitled Jno. Clarke et al vs. Rena E. Tansill et all therein depending, it was among other things, adjudged ordered and decreed that E. E. Meredith, Jno. M. Johnson, Wm. E. Lipscomb, and J.B.T. Thornton, who were thereby appointed Special Commissioners for the purpose, should sell by public auction, after certain advertisements, and upon certain terms in the said decree fully set forth, certain real estate therein described, and

Whereas, the said E. E. Meredith, Jno. M. Johnson, William E. Lipscomb, and J.B.T. Thornton pursuant to the said decree, did on the 7th day of December 1896, after having duly advertised the same in accordance with the terms of the said decree, offer for sale, by public auction, the following described real estate, to-wit:

All that certain piece or parcel of land, lying and being situate in the Coles Magisterial District in Prince William County, Va. supposed to contain about sixty acres, and bounded as follows. Beginning at a stone in line of S. R. Lowe Sr. on the east side of the Manassas & Independent Hill road, thence up the said road in direction of Manassas, to the Occoquan Road and thence down the Occoquan Road, to Wm. Lynn’s line, thence with Wm. Lynn’s line to line of S. R. Lowe Sr. thence with his line to the place of beginning, being the portion of the real estate of the late Benson Lynn, which embraces the Old Home Place, where L. A. Lynn now resides. 

At which sale the said S. R. Lowe, Jr. made the last, and highest, bid therefore, and became the purchaser thereof at the price of One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars, and

Whereas, the said sale was duly reported to the Court by the said Special Commissioner, and was by another decree, entered in the said cause on the 9th day of December 1896, by the said Court, approved and confirmed and

Whereas, the said S. R. Lowe, Jr. hath paid the whole of the said purchase money, which payment was duly reported to the said Court, and whereupon, by said decree, entered by the said Court, in the said cause on the 9th day of December 1896, the said J.B.T. Thornton was appointed Special Commissioner to execute and deliver to the said S. R. Lowe, Jr., a good and sufficient deed with Special Warranty, conveying the said real estate to him the said S. R. Lowe, Jr. in fee simple. 

Now therefore this deed witnesseth that for and in consideration of the premises, and in obedience to the said last mentioned decree, the said J.B.T. Thornton Special Commissioner as aforesaid, does grant unto the said S. R. Lowe, Jr. with special Warranty the real estate hereinbefore fully described. 

Witness the following signature and seal,
J.B.T. Thornton, Specl. Commissioner {seal}

State of Virginia
County of Prince William

To wit,

I, Edwin Nelson, Clerk of the County Court, for the County aforesaid in the state of Vriginia, do certify that J.B.T. Thornton, whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date on the 1st day of February 1897, has acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid.  Given under my hand this 1st day of February 1897.

E. Nelson clk

In Prince William County Court, Febry 1st 1897

This Deed was presented to the Court, with a certificate annexed, and was ordered to be recorded.

Teste,

Edwin Nelson clk

Monday, December 2, 2013

Deed: Joseph Willard Lowe et als to Bradford Lowe (1946)

Deed
Joseph Willard Lowe et als to Bradford Lowe
PWCo. Deed Book 118, page 386

Whereas, Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. died intestate on the 6th day of December 1933, leaving as his sole surviving heirs at law, Joseph Willard Lowe, a son, Bradford Lowe, a son, and Clifford Leland Lowe, a grandson.  The said Clifford Leland Lowe being the sole surviving heir of Mark Clifford Lowe, a son of Samuel R. Lowe, Jr., who died intestate on the 6th day of March, 1924.
                That at the time of the death of the said Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. he was seized and possessed, in fee simple, of two (2) certain tracts or parcels of land lying and being situated in Coles Magisterial District, Prince William County, Virginia.
                NOW THEREFORE, THIS DEED, made and entered into this 11th day of March 1946, by and between Joseph Willard Lowe and Eva May Lowe, his wife, Clifford Leland Lowe and Gloria Marie Lowe, his wife, parties of the first part and Bradford Lowe, party of the second part.
                WITNESSETH: That the parties of the first part, who are the heirs at law of the late Samuel R. Lowe, Jr., and who are above the age of 21 years, for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars ($10.00) cash in hand paid them by the party of the second part, who is an heir at law of the late Samuel R. Lowe, Jr., at and before the signing, sealing and delivery of this deed, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and for other good and valuable consideration, they, the parties of the first part, do hereby bargain, sell, grant, convey and set over unto the party of the second part, with covenants of general warranty of title, with all rights, ways, easements and improvements thereunto belonging or appurtenant thereto, all of their undivided interest in and to the said tracts or parcels of land, aggregating 179 acres, more or less, lying and being situated in Coles Magisterial District, Prince William County, Virginia, and described as follows:
                Tract No. 1. Beginning at a stone in the line of S. R. Lowe, Sr. on the East side of the Manassas-Independent Hill Road, thence up the said road in the direction of Manassas to the Occoquan Road, and thence down the Occoquan Road to William Lynn’s line, thence with William Lynn’s line to the line of S. R. Lowe Sr., thence with his line to the place of beginning, and being the parties of the real estate owned by the late Benson Lynn, which embraces the old home place, containing about 60 acres, more or less, and being the same tract or parcel of land which was conveyed unto Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. by J. B. T. Thornton, Special Commissioner, in the case styled Clarke et al v. Tansill, dated February 1, 1897, and recorded among the land recorded of Prince William County, Virginia, on February 1, 1897, in Deed Book 45, page 213.
                Tract No. 2, All the residue of that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in Coles Magisterial District, and known as “Mountain View,” and being bounded as follows: Beginning at the junction of the Manassas and Independent Hill Road, and the Occoquan Road, thence down the Occoquan Road to Payne’s line, thence with Payne’s line to Keys, thence with Keys’ line to the old Levi Lynn tract, thence with the Lynn line to the Manassas-Independent Hill Road, thence with said road to the place of beginning, containing 119 acres, more or less, and being the same tract or parcel of land which was conveyed by J. B. T. Thornton, Special Commissioner, in the suit styled Clarke et al v. Tansill, to Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. by deed dated September 19, 1899, and recorded among the land records of Prince William County, Virginia, on March 21, 1900, in Deed Book 48, page 84.
                Less and except a certain tract or parcel of land containing 0.76 acres taken by the Highway in suit styled H. G. Shirley, State Highway Commissioner, v. Joseph Willard Lowe, Bradford Lowe, and Clifford Leland Lowe.  The order vesting title to said strip taken for highway purposes, is recorded among the land records of Prince William County, Virginia, in Deed Book 106, at page 301.
                Said tracts or parcels of land are subject to a right of way easement granted by S. R. Lowe (Samuel R. Lowe, Jr.) unto C. W. Alpaugh, his successors or assigns, granting the right to erect and maintain the necessary pole line in front of the premises, the poles to be set inside of road fence line, to sustain the necessary wires, guys, stubs, anchors and fixtures for the supply and distribution of electrical energy for electric light, heat and power.  Said right of way easement is dated September 9, 1927, and is recorded among the land records of Prince William County, Virginia, in Deed Book 84, page 448.  Said tracts or parcels of land contain in the aggregate, 179 acres, more or less.
                The parties of the first part covenant that they have the right to convey their undivided interest in and to the said tracts or parcels of land, to the party of the second part; that the party of the second part shall have quiet and peaceful possession of their undivided interest in and to said tracts or parcels of land, free from any and all encumbrances; that they, the parties of the first part, have done no act to encumber their undivided interest in and to said tract or parcels of land; and that they, the parties of the first part, will execute such further assurances of and to the title of their undivided interest in and to said tracts or parcels of land as may be necessary and requisite.
                Witness the following signatures and seals:

Joseph Willard Lowe {seal}
Eva May Lowe {seal}
Clifford Leland Lowe {seal}
Gloria Marie Lowe {seal}

W. S. Revenue Stamps $4.40 Cancelled


State of Virginia
County of Prince William, to-wit:
                I, Ruth M. Brunt, a notary public in and for the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Joseph Willard Lowe and Eva May Lowe, his wife, whose names are signed to the foregoing and annexed general warranty deed, bearing date on the 11th day of March, 1946, have and each has this day acknowledged the same before me in my County of Pr. Wm. State of Virginia.
                My commission as a notary public expires on the 8ty day of Dec. 1946.
                Given under my hand and notarial seal this 16th day of March, 1946

Ruth M. Brunt
Notary Public {seal}


State of Virginia
City of Alexandria, to-wit:
                I, Joanna M. Barry, a notary public in and for the County of City of Alexandria, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Clifford Leland Lowe and Gloria Marie Lowe, his wife, whose names are signed to the foregoing and annexed general warranty deed, bearing date on the 11th day of march 1946, have and each has acknowledged the same before me in my county of City of Alexandria, State of Virginia.
                My commission as a Notary Public expires on the 26th day of January, 1948.
                Given under my hand and notarial seal this 16 day of March, 1946.

Joanna M. Barry
Notary Public


In the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Prince William County, Virginia, March 18, 1946, this Deed from Joseph Willard Lowe et al to Bradford Lowe with certificate attached was this day admitted to record at 9:10 A.M.


Worth H. Storke, Clerk 

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Current Affairs: Grave Matter: Kept in the Dark

Another local periodical has picked up the story about the Prince William County School’s (“PWCS”) hurried exhumation and removal of a 100+ year old grave yard from the future site of a new high school football stadium.  A link to the Gainesville/Prince William Times’ article “Kept in the Dark” can be found here.

In the article, Mrs. Betty Jean (Lowe) Eller, who sold the property in 2007, defends the PWCS and its actions.  She states, “If the Lynns did not try to keep up with their graves and people lay there rotted and they couldn’t find out [where it was before], I think they have a hell of a nerve [to come back now].”  An especially insensitive and ironic remark in light of the fact that Mrs. Eller’s grandmother was a Lynn.  Samuel R. Lowe, Jr. married Ida M. Lynn, the daughter of Leland A. Lynn and Catherine A. Selecman, on August 16, 1893.   Their son, Bradford Lowe, was Mrs. Eller's father.  (A 'hell of a nerve' indeed.)

The article also makes mention of the PWCS’s plans to reinter the remains at Stonewall Memory Gardens, on the far Western edge of the county, a “public chartered” cemetery that PWCS admits came in as the lowest bidder.  Stonewall Memory Gardens is nowhere near the Coles Magisterial District, where the original cemetery was located.  To paraphrase the article, why can’t PWCS move the remains to another location on the planned school site?  Ultimately, it really doesn’t matter if they are related to the Lynns, the Lowes, or any other family in Independent Hill.  The human beings disinterred from their “final” resting place have the right to be buried on the land where they lived, worked, and died. 

Surely the PWCS can find a way to set aside a small parcel of land near the original burial site to serve as a new cemetery, where these souls can be laid to rest on what was once their home.  It would the right, and decent, thing to do.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Sunday's Obituary: Marcus B. Latimer

Evening Star (Washington, DC) – July 28, 1903

Marcus B. Latimer
Evening Star, July 28, 1903
OLD RESIDENT DEAD. Marcus B. Latimer Passes Suddenly Away. Funeral Tomorrow Afternoon From Family Residence – Interment to be Made at Glenwood Cemetery

The death of Marcus B. Latimer, for many years a prominent auctioneer of this city, occurred at 9:15 o'clock last evening at his residence, 1223 6th street northwest. Mr. Latimer had been in good health up to last Saturday morning when he contacted a severe cold, which brought on congestion and resulted in his death. He was surrounded by the members of his family when the end came. The funeral will take place from the family home tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, and the interment will be made in Glenwood cemetery. The pallbearers will be selected from among the nephews of Mr. Latimer, and will consist of Joseph S., Clarence E. and Lee D. Latimer, George H. Evans and Americus Davis, all of this city, and William J. Weir of Manassas, Va. The interment will be private.

Marcus B. Latimer had resided in Washington over fifty years, and probably no resident of the national capital enjoyed a wider acquaintance among the citizens of the District of Columbia than did he. He was born in Charles county, Md., January 5, 1839, and while he was still an infant his parents removed to Brentsville, Prince William county, Va. In 1853, at the age of fourteen, Mr. Latimer, accompanied by two of his brothers, the late Samuel H. and the late Dr. Edwin W. Latimer, came to Washington and obtained employment as a clerk with the old firm of Sibley & Gier, formerly hardware merchants of the city. A few years later Mr. Latimer accepted a position with J.C. Maguire & Co., auctioneers, and with that firm, under the tutorship of the late Thomas J. Fisher, Mr. Latimer learned the business with which he had been so long and prominently identified here.

In the early seventies the firm of Cooper & Latimer, auctioneers, was organized, and the firm opened up its business in the building located on the southwest corner of 11th street and Pennsylvania avenue, a part of which was occupied at that time by The Evening Star. When Mr. Cooper died, about twenty-five years ago, the firm was changed to Latimer & Cleary, and afterward it was known as Dowling & Latimer. A number of years ago Mr. Latimer and his son-in-law, Charles G. Sloan, organized the firm of Latimer & Sloan on G street.

Record in Business. Mr. Latimer during his active business days conducted some of the most noted and extensive sales in the country. He was considered as one of the finest auctioneers in the United States. He conducted the great sale of the fine pictures in the rotunda he also sold the effects of the English minister, Lord Sackville West. The last large sale and one of the most important in Mr. Latimer's career was the auction of the noted Deakin collection of Japanese ceramic art, which occurred about eight years ago, in this city. He was regarded as a connoisseur of art and a critical judge of oriental stuffs and carpets, rugs, tapestry,, &c., and his services were very much in demand among the best and most influential people of the city.

Mr. Latimer was possessed of a most genial personality and a keen appreciation of humor, and he had an inexhaustible fund of amusing anecdotes, which caused his sales to be entertaining as well as profitable.

In May 1864, Mr. Latimer was married to Miss Susie Lowe, a daughter of an old Washington family. The family had lived in the present residence on 6th street for the past twenty years. At the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Latimer served with the Washington Light Infantry Corps. He took an interest in nearly all the public affairs pertaining to the District, but never held public office during his career.

Retired Six Years Ago. About six years ago Mr. Latimer retired from active business, but on various occasions, at the special request of clients, he has conducted sales of art and antique furniture, &c. The members of the immediate family who survive him are his wife and four children – Mrs. Charles G. Sloan, Mr. Thomas F. Latimer and the Misses Mabel C. and Marie Latimer.

~ ~ ~

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC) – May 16, 1864


Marriage. In this city, on the 12th May, by the Rev. Dr. Samson, Marcus B. Latimer, of Virginia, to Miss Susie B. Lowe, of this city.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Primitive Baptist Church, Independent Hill

The Primitive Baptist Church at the corner of Aden and Joplin Roads in Independent Hill is no longer standing but the cemetery remains.




MATILDA
Wife of E. Cheshire
Apr 7, 1840
Dec 13, 1901
(Footstone:  MJC)

MILTON
CALVERT
Born Mar 14, 1862
Died Mar 21, 1913
Gone But Not Forgotten
(Footstone:  MC)

EINZA H. GALLAHAN
Born July 20, 1870
Died Dec 31, 1908
38 years 5 mos & 11 das
(Footstone:  EHG)

GURLI PRIDMORE
Wife of
George W. Lowe
Died Jan 1920
Age 85 years
At Rest

VIOLA GALLAHAN
Born Jan 4, 1908
Died Mar 30, 1910

GEORGE W. LOWE
Born Jun 3, 1842
Died Feb 3, 1914

M. N.  LYNN
Born Mar 11, 1827
Died Nov 10, 1906
(Footstone:  MNL)
[Note:  This is Mortimer N. Lynn]

VIRGINIA G. LYNN
Born July 18, 1835
Died June 25, 1911
(Footstone:  VGL)
[Note: Virginia (Holmes) Lynn, M.N. Lynn's wife]

FANNIE LYNN
HOLMES
1858-1943
At Rest Sister With God
(Footstone:  Sister)
[Note:  daughter of M.N. & Virginia Lynn; first married James W.
Lee; remarried William H. Holmes]

SUTHARD
JAMES M.
1865-1938
LULU C. His Wife
1867-1943
(2 Footstones:  Father / Mother)

EPPA F. LYNN
1863-1948
[Note:  daughter of M.N. & Virginia Lynn]

SALLIE E. SUTHARD
August 1, 1872
March 20, 1967
At Rest
(Footstone:  Mother)

ROBERT H. KEYS
Born March 7, 1838
Died Feb 28, 1910
(Footstone:  RHK)

SARAH A.
Wife of R.H. Keys
Born 1853
Died Feb 28, 1910