Church Record Sunday: Deed: Johnson to Bethlehem Church

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

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

Emily E. Johnson {seal}

Prince William County Court to wit

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

W. McLean J.P.

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

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

Teste, L. A. Davis  Clerk

 

 

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Item - (April 1876)

Alexandria Gazette
13 April 1876

Letter from Prince William County
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

MANASSAS, April 12.  Easter will be observed with appropriate services in the M. E. Church at this place, Rev. Mr. Otis preaching in the morning and the pastor at night. The month of May will be devoted entirely to special and appropriate services for young people.

Mr. [sic] Elizabeth B. Mitchell, consort of Geo. W. Mitchell, was born in Warren county, N.J.  She united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and ever lived a consistent and faithful member of the same. She died on Sunday evening at 7 1/2 o'clock, and was buried from her home on the 12th.  The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Charles King to a large and deeply-sympathizing audience.

Rev. Charles Nourse, of Georgetown, lectures on temperance at the Presbyterian Church next Saturday night. The recent effort to crush the leaders of this movement has not only failed, but has resulted disastrously to those engaged in it.

D. W. Whiting has resigned the Mayoralty of Manassas, and his paper, the Manassas Gazette, is in the hands of Constable Weeden.

K.

Newspaper Tidbit: Letter from PWCo (1869)

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)
5 March 1869

Letter from Prince William Co.
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

Our County Court has been in session for the pat three days, ending yesterday evening. The following cases were adjudicated, and general business transacted: --

   An indictment for unlawful trespass on the promises of Mrs. M. F. Holland, was found by the grand jury against Daniel Whaling.
   Atkinson vs. Patterson, unlawful detainer, verdict for plaintiff.
   Knox vs. Carter's adm'r. Pleas waived and judgment for plaintiff.
   White, surviving, vs. the same. Plea waived and judgment for plaintiff.
   T. A. Brewis & Co. vs. E. J. T. Clarke. - Debt-verdict for plaintiff, with war interest abated.
   Able vs. Able's adm'r. Debt-verdict for plaintiff, with war interest abated.
   Johnson, surviving, vs. McLean. Debt-judgment for plaintiff.
   Thomas vs. Howison. Debt-verdict for plaintiff.
   Jacobs vs. Thomas. Trover-verdict for defendant.
   John T. Leachman qualified as executor of the last will and testament of the late Elder R. C. Leachman.
   James E. Williams qualified as administrator of John Williams, deceased.
   Sarah Donohoe qualified as administratrix of George Donohoe, deceased.
   Harvey Hyde having satisfied the Court that he is an ordained minister, and in regular communion with the Congregational church, was authorized to celebrate the rites of matrimony.
   George W. Mitchell, a late appointee of General Stoneman's, qualified as Commissioner of the Revenue for Prince William county.
   Ten deeds were admitted to record, and one marriage license issued during the session of Court.

From the pugilistic demonstrations made by several parties on the first day of Court, and their manifest desire to break the peace, if not each other's bones, it is evident that Prince William's vervor is not abated by the "situation" here, and that she is still, in one sense, on an active "war footing."

It is supposed that before the next term of our Court, the removals of officers in the county will have been generally made, and the new appointees will be here to qualify and enter on the duties of their respective stations.

William Smith, stabbed recently by Mr. Reuben Reid, which I reported at the time, has recovered. Mr. Reid is not yet under arrest and it is hoped that the affair, occuring as it did between near neighbors, may be amicably adjusted.

TYRONE
Brentsville, Va., March 4, 1869

Church Record Sunday: Trials of Soul and Flesh in 1860's Revealed by Pastors

Richmond Times Dispatch
27 October 1937

Trials of the Soul and Flesh in 1860's Revealed by Pastors

Walking 10 miles to preach a sermon, falling into a creek, watching the flames of war ravage, a church -- all this seemed to be just part of the day's routine for hardy ministers of the Gospel in the 1860's.

Those, at least, are some of the experiences mentioned by preachers in a packet of unpublished letters recently deposited in Spence Library, Union Theological Seminary. The correspondence, most of which dealt with the Sustenation Fund for Impoverished Ministers, was written to the Rev. J. D. Mitchell of Lynchburg during 1866.

The Rev. Matthew W. Jackson of Rough Creek described some of his troubles: "I sometimes walk 10 miles to preach and then home again on the same day; and on the third sabbath in January I fell into a creek about two feet deep and walked several miles home with my clothes wet and freezing..."

Couldn't Raise a Dollar

"As religion seems almost extinct in Eastern Virginia, we must awake in earnest," was his solemn warning.

From Prince William County the Rev. A. M. Hershy of Nokesville wrote:  "The church building, which was nearly new, was burned to the ground, it is said, by Unioin soldier,s near the end of the war ... The congregation was scattered..."

Light on the financial difficulties is given by the Rev. R. L. Dabney, noted theologian; the Rev. Moses D. Hoge, founder of Union Seminary, and Dr. James Woodrow, uncle of President Woodrow Wilson.

Deed: Cross etc. to Townsend (1911)

Deed

Cross etc. to Townsend

PWCo Deed Book 53, pg. 347

The undersigned being next of kin to R. A. Townsend of Prince William County Va., who recently departed this life intestate, being credibly informed by disinterested neighbors and friends that it was his purpose to devise his estate to his wife, and that he had even gone so far as to have a will drawn to that effect, and that he had not executed the same because another measure was in contemplation which if executed might accomplish a like purpose, and at the same time free him from care and labors during the remainder of his lifetime. For these reasons and also because of the faithful and wifely ministrations of his widow through his protracted suffering as a wounded Confederate Veteran, it is our purpose in the execution of this paper to release to her the said Julia A. Townsend widow of the said R. A. Townsend dec’d. any and all interest that we may have in his belongings of every nature and kind whatsoever, to have and to hold for her sole use and benefit and to this end we jointly and severally pledge ourselves our heirs and &c. as is evidenced by the signatures and seals affixed this ____ day of ____ 1901.

A. J. Cross

Willie Cross

Charles U. Townsend

Mamie Mitchell

Harrison Sanders

Albert Sanders

Catherine F. Harrison

George H. Townsend

Carrie E. Townsend

Nelie Townsend

Ida Frances Townsend

J. S. Pearson

C. V. Pearson

Henderson Sanders

W. H. Sanders

A. S. Harrison

Nannie B. Townsend

A. P. Townsend

Frances M. Townsend

John T. Townsend

Arthur M. Sanders

Lewis H. Sanders

D. N. Sanders

May S. Marin

E. W. Cross

Laura A. Cross

Nelie Cross

J. B. Cross

Cora L. Cross

State of Virginia, County of Fairfax to wit:

I, A. W. Robinson, a Justice of the Peace for and in the County of Fairfax in the State of Virginia do certify that A. J. Cross, Wilie May Cross, J. B. Cross, Cora L. Cross and Nelie Cross whose names are signed to the foregoing writing bearing date April 1901 have acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid.

Given under my hand this Nov. 19, 1904.

A. W. Robinson J.P.

State of Virginia, County of Fairfax, to-wit:

I, D. B. Garett, a justice in and for the County of Fairfax do certify that Charles U. Townsend, E. W. Cross and Laura A. Cross whose names are signed to the writing above bearing date April 1901 have acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid.

Given under my hand this 19 day of Nov. 1904

D. B. Garett J.P.

State of Virginia, County of Fairfax, to-wit:

I, Geo. L. Howard, a Notary Public in and for said County hereby certify that A. S. Harrison relative of said R. A. Townsend deceased appeared before me and signed the same relinquishing all claims to said property as indicated by the within writing and requesting all the future signers to do the same.

                Given under my hand and signature this 19^th day of January 1903.

Geo. L. Howard N.P.

State of Oregon, County of Multnomah, ss.

Be it remembered, that on this 27^th day of January A.D. 1903 before me the undersigned, a Notary Public in end for the said County and State, personally appeared the within named Nannie B. Townsend, unmarried who is known to me to be one of the identical individuals described in and who executed the within instrument acknowledged to me that she executed the same freely and voluntarily.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set me hand and notarial seal the day and year, last above written.

C. G. Willis N.P. for Oregon

State of Oregon, County of Multonomah, ss.

This certifies, that on the 29^th day of January A. D. 1903, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared the within named A. B. Townsend and Frances M. Townsend his wife who are known to me to be the identical person described in who executed the within instrument, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the uses and purposes therein mentioned and Francis M. Townsend wife of the said A. B. Townsend on an examination made by me, separate and apart from her said husband then and there acknowledged to me that she executed the same freely and voluntarily, and without fear, coercion or compulsion from anyone.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Notarial Seal the day and year last above written.

Joseph M. Healy N.P. for Oregon

State of New Jersey, County of Hunterdon, SS.

Be it remembered that on this 7^th day of Sept. A. D. 1903, before me the undersigned a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared the within named Arthur M. Sanders, Lewis H. Sanders, D. N. Sanders and May S. Martin who are known to me to be the identical individuals described in and who signed the within instrument and acknowledged to mem that they executed the same freely and voluntarily.

                In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year shown written.

Whitfield H. Sydnor N.P.

In Clerk’s Office Circuit Court of Prince William County, January 11^th 1905.

This Deed from Cross &c. to Townsend was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste: J. Nelson cl

  

[Margin note – “Examined and sent to Mrs. Julia A. Townsend on Aug 15^th 1911 by Chas. W. Ellis, Jno. A. Nicol, clerk”]

Military Monday: Men Who Were With Mosby

The Washington Post (DC)
October 13, 1898

MEN WHO WERE WITH MOSBY

Washingtonians Who Will Attend the Reunion of the Band

The Washington men who were with Mosby will meet at Confederate Hall tomorrow evening at 7:30 o'clock to make arrangements to attend the annual reunion of the famous band, which is to take place at Manassas on October 25.

The local committee on arrangements is composed of R. M. Harrover, Durand Shackleford, and M. M. Marmaduke.  The Washington men who will attend the reunion are:  A. J. Biedler, T. R. Baker, Americus Davis, P. A. Darneille, P. M. Darden, W. L. Flynn, Durand Shackleford, R. M. Harrover, A. J. Hobson, M. M. Marmaduke, D. G. Mohler (Sergeant), Dr. A. B. Mitchell, R. Macall, Lieut. Joe Nelson, James P. Nalls, J. B. Proutt, Liet. Boyd Smith, William R. Stone, T. J. Thompson, Capt. E. F. Thompson, G. R. Turberville, B. Thrift, Bush Underwood, Dr. Samuel Waggaman, Hugh T. Waters, S. H. Wilson, Sergt. J. W. Wrenn, and Lieut. Albert Wrenn.

Friend of Friends: James Henry Mitchell

Richmond Enquirer (Richmond, VA)
October 6, 1856

MURDER. -- The negro man Jim, alias James Henry Mitchell, who murdered James T. Vermillion, of Fairfax county, on Tuesday last, whilst in the act of taking him before a magistrate (notice of which has been published by the Commonwealth's Attorney), was apprehended on Thursday, and committed to the jail of this county, to await his trial before a called Court to be held the ensuing week.  He is the property of Z. Brawner, of Prince William county, from whom he had absconded but a few days, when arrested by Vermillian, and, it appears, was at that time in pursuit of a reputed conjuror named Nelly (a negro woman), belonging to Mrs. Lee in the neighborhood, and by whose arts he expected to escape punishment for an offence commited in his own county.  He has made full confession of his guilt, and seems deeply penitent, alleging that he struck Vermillian, (with a fence stake), for the sole purpose of making his escape, not anticipating the result of the blow.  He is to be pitied, as his age (about twenty) would forbid the idea of his being hardened in crime.  We presume, however, that the law in so plain a case is stern and unbending.  Mr. V. recovered after receiving the blow, so as to be able to reach his dwelling on foot, about a mile -- he lived between five and six hours.  Upon examination after death, his skull was found to be fractured.

[Portsmouth Chronicle]

Sunday's Obituary - Doctor Cyrus C. Marsteller

Alexandria Gazette - February 24, 1871

Departed this life, on the 8th instant, at his residence, near Gainesville, Doctor Cyrus C. Marsteller, in the 73d year of his age.  He was a native of Alexandria and reared therein.  He studied medicine with Doctor Elisha Dick, and graduated in the Maryland Medical University in the spring of 1818.  He soon left the pleasures of his happy home and early associates and located in the town of Buckland, in Prince William county, Va.  From there in a few months he removed to Haymarket and won the favor and approbation of his fellow-citizens by a scrupulous attention to all cases committed to his care.  He had a good knowledge of diseases prevalent in this section of the country, and was a close student up to the time of his death.

He practiced his profession upwards of half a century, and with great success.  Blessed with a good constitution, no weather, however inclement, prevented his immediate and constant attention to his patients, until at last he could scarcely put one foot before the other, nor did he cease to go when called on to within a few weeks of his demise.  Thus has fallen in our midst the man, who of all others, unprejudiced opinion, will say could be least spared.  He was a true and constant friend.  He had not united with any denomination of Christians, but the word of God was his companion during his leisure hours in his office.  He read it to know the will of the Great I am, and to find himself to be a sinner.

When spoken to on the subject of death, he said the subject had engaged his attention for a long time.  He was willing to cast aside self altogether, and embrace the Gospel plan of salvation, through faith in the righteousness of Christ Jesus and his ability to save to the uttermost all who come to God through Him.

He has left a wife and five children to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate husband and father.  May God, in his mercy, be with the bereaved household, and bless to their souls this visitation of his providence, and teach them that not a sparrow falls without His knowledge.

Senex.
Prince William County, Va., Feb. 21.

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Alexandria Gazette - October 27, 1855

Valuable Land in Prince William for Rent.  The subscriber offers for rent his land near Haymarket, known as "Pageland" and "The Poplar Field" Tracts, comprising 1300 acres of the most valuable land in the county for farming and grazing, divided into 12 fields, including 150 acres of meadow.  The fields not in cultivation, are set in grass.  There are good buildings of every description, and a Country Mill on the farm.  The situation is one of the most healthy, and near the Gainesville Station of the Manassas Gap Railroad.  Early application is requested.  The privilege of fallowing immediately.

Cyrus C. Marsteller
Haymarket, je 16-eo3t&wtf

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Alexandria Gazette - May 13, 1850

At a Rules held in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery of Alexandria County, on the 1st day of April, 1850; Cyrus C. Marsteller vs. Charlotte M. Mitchell, late Charlotte M. Marsteller, Elizabeth A. Marsteller, Philip F. Marsteller, Richard H. Marsteller, Louisa W. Marsteller, and Leslie K. Marsteller, the two last named infant heirs of Ferdinand P. Marsteller, and Samuel A. Marsteller:  The defendants Richard H. Marsteller, Louisa W. Marsteller and Leslie K. Marsteller, infants as aforesaid, not having entered their appearance and given security according to the act of Assembly and the rules of this Court, and it appearing by satisfactory evidence that they are not inhabitants of this Commonwealth, It is ordered, that the said defendants appear here at the rules to be  held in the Clerk's office of said court for the month of June next, and answer the bill of the plaintiff, and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in some newspaper published in the town of Alexandria, for two months successively, and posted at the front door of the Court house of this County.

C.F.Lee, C. C.
Neale, P.Q. ap 2--2m

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Alexandria Gazette - June 26, 1841

NOTICE.  The Partnerships heretofore existing under the firm of R. H. Marsteller & Co. and C. C. and R. H. Marsteller are hereby dissolved.

Cyrus C. Marsteller
Haymarket, Prince Wm., Va., June 4--eo10t