Those Places Thursday: Ice Destroys Light Beacon

Evening Star
25 December 1914

ICE DESTROYS LIGHT BEACON

Mark at Entrance to Occoquan Creek is Swept Away

Ice sweeping out of Occoquan creek has carried away the light beacon marking the entrance to the waterway from the river, but it is stated that the lighthouse authorities will renew the light in the spring. The light just carried away was erected the latter part of the summer to replace the beacon carried away by drift ice last spring.

The lighthouse service tender Maple is reported in the river erecting the structure on which new beacon lights are to be placed at Glymont and White Stone point.

The appointment of Unaka B. Jennett, second officer of the lighthouse under Jessamine, to be the first officer of the tender Maple has recently been made by the lighthouse authorities. Mr. Jennett's appointment is made to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of E. J. Brittinham, who has retired from seafaring life and will make his home on the eastern shore of Maryland.

Crime & Punishment: Wanted Freedom During Holidays

Washington Herald (DC)
23 December 1912

WANTED FREEDOM DURING HOLIDAYS

William Eggleston, Who Escaped from Occoquan, Makes Pleas for Few Days More

"Say, I just wanted to be out on Christmas for a little celebration," said William Eggleston alias William Walton, twenty-four years old, alleged professional bicycle thief, as he left police headquarters last night to finish a term of a year and a half at Occoquan workhouse, whence he escaped on Wednesday.

"I think you fellows might have waited until after Christmas to pinch me," said Eggleston, who began his sentence at the workhouse on Thanksgiving Day. Eggleston was "picked up" on suspicion by the police of Alexandria while, it is alleged, he was trying to sell a bicycle, which the police believe was stolen.

Detectives from Washington identified "William Walton," as the  man called himself, as Eggleston, wanted as an escaped prisoner from Occoquan. Eggleston declared he would have returned to the workhouse voluntarily if he had been allowed to remain at liberty until after Christmas. "A bird in hand is worth two in a bush," said Guard Hall, of Occoquan, as he started for the workhouse with the prisoner. 

Eggleston is unmarried and lived in Arlington,. Va.

PWCo Items: 29 August 1874

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
29 August 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS.  [From the Manassas Gazette]

Only last week we published a letter from "our new city" (Potomac) to the effect that it was fast building up, and was going to have a bank, &c., and now we see the hotel keeper, Mr. Brick, advertises to sell out, and heads his advertisement, "being desirous of leaving the country," &c.  This looks bad for "our new city," for its first hotel keeper to leave right in the midst of the season.

The colored man, Henry Johnson, who was arrested last week at Woodbridge Station, on the A. & F. R. R., and lodged in jail, has been released on account of not being the guilty one.  The jailor and sheriff of Pittsylvania after seeing him, stated that he was not the man.

The amendments to the Constitution in regard to changing the townships into Magisterial Districts, will meet with a hearty approval in this community, as the people generally are getting very much out with the township system, believing firmly that it will never work satisfactorily.

We expect the $5,000, which was appropriated by Congress last winter for the deepening of Occoquan creek, to be made use of very soon now, as the dredging machine will commence operations in a short time.

Our young friend, J. Frederick Tansil, son of our townsman, Col. Rob. Tansil, has joined a Government surveying party, and expects to leave for the West some time during the fall.

Major B. B. Douglas and Hon. James B. Sener, candidates for Congress for this District propose to address the people of Prince William at Brentsville, on Monday, September 7th, Court day.

Occoquan has been improved very much this summer, in the way of new buildings, and it still continues.

Occoquan is to be incorporated into a city before long, according to the act of the Legislature.

PWCo Items: News from Occoquan (1921)

Alexandria Gazette
28 October 1921

NEWS FROM OCCOQUAN

Mr. L. Leedman, Deputy Clerk of Prince William County, spent his vacation in Occoquan with friends. While here Mr. Ledman reports fine sport fishing.

The many friends of Mr. N. C. Davis regret hearing of his serious illness.

The revival in progress at Woodbridge or Occoquan as it is called recently, is attracting large crowds and so far success under the leadership of Rev. Nichols, at the Baptist Church.

Miss Nancy Davis, of Agnewville, spent the week end in Occoquan.

The Pie Social given by the Setignlos School League, was quite a success. Seventeen dollars was realized for a basketball court.

Rev. J. W. Beall has under construction a two room house on his farm recently purchased on the river near Featherstone. It promises to be an ideal ducking place.

Mrs. Cynthia Sanborn has returned from N.Y., and will spend the remainder of the winter with her granddaughter, Mrs. Evelyn Powell.

Miss Mary Carter, the principal of the Occoquan School, spent the week end at Independent Hill, taking in the fair on Saturday.

Mr. Carl Lynn has about completed his cement garage.

Mrs. Douglas Janney and wife have returned from Baltimore, where they have been buying fall and winter supplies.

Rev. Millechamp was in town calling Tuesday, and visited the Odd Fellows Lodge in the evening.

Fishing is the greatest sport of the villagers, also attracts large crowds from out of town.

Mr. Leo Beach landed an immense black bass Tuesday afternoon.

The young people are looking forward to Monday, October 31, Hallowee'en night, when they expect to have a masquerade party at the Lyric Theatre Hall.

Capt. Tom Selecman entertained a number of friends on Saturday evening last in honor of his daughter, Jane Elizabeth, it being her 9th birthday. Music and games were indulged in until a late hour. Her presents were numerous.

Mr. and Mrs. Clemm are spending their vacation at her home, Roanoke, Va.

Mr. Sam Carter, wife and daughters, and Mr. and Mrs. Walters, of Baltimore, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Carter, on Sunday.

Mr. Walter Woolfenden, Mr. C. Hill, of Kopp, Va., and Miss Virginia Carter, of Bethel High, spent the week end with Miss Ma[r]y Carter.

Mrs. Alice Arnold, who will be remembered as Miss Wolford, a former school teacher, paid a flying visit to friends in Occoquan recently. Her many friends were glad to welcome her back. She is now visiting friends in Richmond.

Mr. R. H. Woodyard visited relatives and friends in Brentsville Tuesday, returned, feeling better.

Mr. Harry Slack and son, Caldwell, and Miss Berry, visited Dumfries Sunday, calling on friends.

The stork visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Arrington on Sunday, and left a 11 pound boy, of which they are very proud.

The teachers of Occoquan are planning to give a minstrel for the benefit of the school at an early date.

Work has begun on the Methodist Church. They expect to have it under roof by December 1.

The play scheduled for the benefit of Pohick rectory for Friday evening has been called off.

The community fair recently held at Bethel, was a decided success. Many of our people received first prizes on fancy articles, also on poultry.

Will: Gerard Weston

Nuncupative Will of Gerard Weston
PWCo Will Book M, pg. 438

I do hereby certify that I was called on by Gerard Weston of the County of Prince William, & State of Virginia, in his last illness in his own house in the Town of Occoquan & County & State aforesaid on the 24th February 1826. To bear evidence after his death that all his personal property & all his effects of every discription & all moneys then in his possession he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth Weston as his lasts will and testament. Given under my hand this 8th March 1826.

Philip Deakins

I do hereby certify that I was called on by Gerard Weston of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia in his last illness in his own house in the Town of Occoquan and County & State aforesaid on the 4th March 1826. To bear evidence after his death that all his personal property and all effects of every discription & all moneys then in his possession he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth Wiston as his last will & testament and the said Gerard Wiston died on the 5th March 1826. Given under my hand this 8th March 1826.

Joseph Anderson

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County this 7th day of August 1826. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Elijah Wood & Sally Wood next of kin of Gerard Weston deceased has been duly summoned to appear here on the 1st day of this Court, persuant to an order of the last June term of this Court to Contest the nuncupative Will of the said Gerard Weston deceased and the said Will being proved by the oaths of Philip Deakins and Joseph Anderson witnesses thereto, according to law and the effect following that is to say that they were called on by the said Weston in his last illness in his own house in the Town of Occoquan & County & State aforesaid on the 4th March 1826, to bear evidence after his death that all his personal property & all effects of every discription, & all moneys then in his possession he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth Weston as his last will & testament and the said Gerard Weston died on the 5th March 1826. The same is admitted to record.

Teste,   P. D. Dawe   Ct clr

Friday's Faces from the Past: G. C. Russell

Manassas Journal

6 July 1939

Grover Cleveland Russell

Merchant and lumberman of Bethel, who recently announced that he is a candidate for renomination to the office which he now holds, that of supervisor of Occoquan District, to which he was elected four years ago.

A news story concerning Mr. Russell's candidacy was in last week's Journal and his political card is also appearing currently.

Sunday's Obituary Anna Ward (1852)

Alexandria Gazette
11 February 1852

OBITUARY - Died, on the morning of the 6th instant, in the village of Occoquan, at the house of Dr. A. H. Saunders, Mrs. ANNA WARD, relict of Z. Ward, esq., at the advanced age of nearly 87 years. Thus has terminated a very long and well-spent, and most exemplary life. Rare, indeed, are such examples set, as the life of the deceases has exhibited. None remain who knew her but to praise her, and revere her memory. Few have lived who so endearingly impressed their character upon the community around them. Her life was a daily and shining example of the affectionate mother, and exemplary and kind mistress, and useful, humane, and benevolent neighbor. It may be truly said of her that her whole life was one of duty and of usefulness in her day and generation. She was a professor of religion, a member of the Baptist Church, and died firmly relying on Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners, as the only name under Heaven whereby sinners can be saved.

J.F.
Prince William, February 9, 1852
[Warrenton Flag, please copy]


[Anna/Anne Ward's Last Will and Testament can be found HERE. - cgl]

Sunday's Obituary: Thomas Curtis

Alexandria Gazette
3 April 1856

DIED, at Occoquan, in Prince William county, Va., on the night of the 29th ultimo, THOMAS CURTIS, aged 76 years.  The deceased was, and had been, a member of the Baptist Church for the last half century or more of his life; during which his walk and conversation corresponded in an eminent degree with his profession. Nature expired and vitality passed away -- calmly and serenely.  Such is the end of the good and just man.  Let us imitate his life, that ours may end like his.

O.

Sunday's Obituary: Richard B. Tyler

Alexandria Gazette
30 July 1839

Suddenly at Hay Market, Prince William County Virginia, near his late residence, on the 22d inst., Richard B. Tyler Esq., in the 51st year of his age. The deceased was one of the most respectable and useful citizens of the County, a true friend and a man of the strictest integrity.




Alexandria Gazette
14 July 1846

At Occoquan, Prince William county, Va., on Monday the 29th ult., Miss Mary Ellen Taylor, aged 20 years. She was an amiable and kind-hearted girl, and her loss will be seriously felt by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Sunday's Obituary: Michael Cleary

Alexandria Gazette
7 July 1836

DIED, At his residence, Occoquan, Va., on Friday evening the 1st inst., Michael Cleary, Esq., in the 69th year of his age, after an illness of only 23 hours, leaving an affectionate consort and six children to mourn their irreparable loss.  As a husband, a father, and as a friend, Mr. Cleary had few equals and none superior. He was a native of the County of Tipperary, Ireland, and for the last forty years a most respectable and valuable citizen of this his adopted country. In his long tried public and private intercourse with the community in which he moved, he established and sustained a character pre-eminently designed by all those virtues which are calculated to distinguish the noblest work of God.

The community which so long witnessed his virtues and enjoyed his society, will long mourn the vacuum occasioned by his demise, a vacuum which years and tens of years will not be able to fill up. Let the poor speak, and let the distressed call aloud, but in vain, for the benevolent hand of Michael Cleary -- that hand that seemed by nature destined for acts of benevolence, charity and relief -- yes,

"His pity gave 'ere charity began."

To his truly afflicted family he as left the cheering consolation that the hand of Death, though sudden, found him not unprepared. They saw that his exist was as calm, placid and serene, as his life had been pious, useful and virtuous - resigning, without struggle, his pure spirit to the God who gave it, in the bright and promising prospect of being enrolled in the catalogue of those who constitute the church triumphant. The writer of this faint and glimmering outline of his character feels, sensibly feels, his own inadequacy, when attempting to bestow upon the memory of such a man any thing like a tribute proportionate to his worth. Let him be allowed, at least,, to say, that the man died as he had lived -- loved, honored and respected by all who knew him.       W.

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Item: May 15, 1875

Alexandria Gazette
15 May 1875

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS.

Geo. W. Abel was seriously injured on Monday last by the falling of a blundering horse. He was on his way from Occoquan, where heh resides, and has been employed as ferryman, and when near Cedar Run bridge the horse he was riding fell, turning a complete summersault, throwing its rider over its head and falling upon him, the pummel of the saddle striking him in the pit of the stomach. The fall so stunned the horse that it laid on Mr. Able until it was pulled off but Mr. A. was up and walking about the next day.

On Thursday of last week as Mr. Joseph B. Reid was driving from Brentsville to Bristoe Station in his buggy, the horse coming in contact with the ox team of Mr. W. A. Ketcham, threw Mr. Reid out of the buggy, who, falling upon his head received very painful injuries. Mr. John H. Butler who was in the buggy with Mr. Reid jumped out as soon as the horse started, and was not hurt.

The attendance at the Circuit Cour was smaller than usual, though quite a large amount of business was done.  ~ Manassas Gazette

Will: James Tant (1824)

JAMES TANT Will

Prince William County Will Book M, pg 116

28 Sep 1823; 05 Jan 1824

In the name of God Amen I JAMES TANT of the Village of Occoquan County of Prince William & State of Virginia, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following.  That is to say, First, it is my will and desire as soon after my death as practicable that all my property be sold to the highest bidder on a credit of six months.  Secondly that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.  Thirdly that the following distribution be made of the residue of my estate.  First, to my brother JOHN TANT I give and bequeath one full half of all my estate independently of my wearing apparel which I wish to be given to him entire.  Secondly, out of the other half, I wish Mrs. PORTERS CLARY to have the sum of ten dollars, and Mr. ENOCH WARD to have the sum of five dollars, and THOMAS L. SELECMAN to have the sum of five dollars (to be paid to his father for his use).  Thirdly, I will and desire that the residue shall be equally divided between my son JOHN TANT belonging to Mr. DENNIS JOHNSTON and my daughter LUCY TANT, belonging to Mr. PHILIP PRITCHARD.  Fourthly, I desire that Mr. MICHAEL CLEARY, Mr. JAMES RUSSELL and ADDISON H. CLARKE, act jointly as my executors to carry this my last will and testament into effect hereby revoking all former wills by me made.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28^th day of September in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and twenty three.

JAMES TANT

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named James Tant to be his last will and testament in the presence of

PHILIP DEAKINS, ZEBULON KANKEY, JOSEPH ANDERSON

At a Court held for Prince William County January 5^th 1824.  This last will and testament of JAMES TANT decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of ZEBULON KANKEY and JOSEPH ANDERSON is admitted to record and at a court held for Prince William County February 2d 1824. ADDISON H. CLARKE one of the Executors named in the last will and testament of JAMES TANT decd. came into court and made oath to the same according to law and having taken the oath of an Executor and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, PHIL. D. DAWE

Those Places Thursday: Occoquan

1804 Occoquan Town Plat

"A prominent stone located near this spot was the beginning point of the 1804 survey of Occoquan's boundaries.  A survey line running from the stone enclosed the 31-acre tract subdivided into streets and lots on the town plat.  Today the stone is buried by landfill, but in 1804 it was on the Occoquan River's Southern Bank."

Deed: Cooper to Haislip (1857)

Cooper to Haislip Deed
PWCo. Deed Book 24, page 136
1857

This deed made the 3d day of August in the year 1857 Between Benjamin Cooper and Chloe Ann his wife of the first part and Henry C. Haislip of the other part, all of the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia.  Witnesseth that the said Benjamin Cooper and Chloe Ann his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid to the said Benjamin Cooper the receipt of which he doth hereby acknowledge, have granted bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant bargain and sell and convey unto the said Haislip, with general warranty, one undivided fifth part of a tract of land of which the late Benjamin Cooper died seized and possessed and lying on the south side of Occoquan run adjoining the lands of Dunlap, the lands of the late Michael Kohn & others. It being the same interest conveyed to the said Benjamin Cooper by Ann Haislip daughter of the late Benjamin Cooper as will be seen by reference to the deed from the said Ann Haislip to the said Benjamin Cooper recorded in the County Court of Prince William County in Liber No. 22 folio 169.  Witness the following signatures and seals.

Benj'm Cooper {seal}

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for the County of Prince William August 3d 1857
   This deed from Benjamin Cooper to Henry C. Haislip was acknowledged by the grantor and ordered to be recorded.

Teste P. D. Lipscomb, clk

Tombstone Tuesday: Martin Scarlit

Library of Congress Digital Collection
Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)

M. S. 

1695

Here Lyes Martin 

Scarlit Gent

Martin Scarlit was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1680 to 1695 and a Justice for Stafford County.  He was the owner of Deep Hole Plantation, which included land upon which Rippon Lodge now stands.  

When the HABS photograph was taken, the marker was located in Belmont Bay, Woodbridge, Prince William County.   According to an informational plaque at Rippon Lodge, "in the early 1900's [this] stone was pulled from the Occoquan River and placed in a grove of trees at the wildlife refuge at Occoquan Bay."  The stone was later moved to cemetery at Rippon Lodge in 2005.

The actual location of Scarlit's remains are lost to time. 

Marriage Notices: Occoquan

Virginia Argus

May 1, 1807

Married, on Tuesday evening last, Mr. James Taylor, of this city, to Miss Maria Gordon, of Occoquan.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

June 28, 1809

Married, on Sunday evening last, by the Reverend Mr. Robins, Mr. Solomon Parsons, of Occoquan, to the amiable Miss Harriot Coffer, of Fairfax county.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

January 7, 1819

MARRIED, On the same day, by the Rev. Mr. Spiller, Mr. Thomas West to Miss Elizabeth Gray, of Prince William.

On the 25^th, by the Rev. Mr. ---, Mr. Thomas Moore, of Fredericksburg, to Miss Margaret Fisher, of Occoquan.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Herald (Alexandria, VA)

March 24, 1820

MARRIED. At Occoquan, Va. On Thursday 16^th inst. By the Rev. Wm. Allen, Mr. Thos. Reeves, M D of Prince William county, Va. To the amiable Miss Eliza, eldest daughter of Mr. John Shaw, merchant, of the fomrer place.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Herald (Alexandria, VA)

March 27, 1820

MARRIED. On Tuesday last in Dumfries, Va. By the Rev. Mason L. Weems, Mr. Henry C. Slade, merchant of this place, to Miss Charlotte Ewell Weems, daughter of the Rev. M. L. Weems, of the former place.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

July 12, 1834

MARRIED. At Occoquan, on Tuesday, the 8^th instant, by the Rev. Mr. Smith, George R. Spalding, of Charles County, Md., to Miss Mary, daughter of Michael Cleary, Esq.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

March 10, 1840

MARRIED. On the 3d instant, in Occoquan, Prince William County, (Va.) by the Rev. Mr. Weems, Mr. George Knight to Miss Mary McCarty, daughter of Mr. Chalaham McCarty, that place.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

March 8, 1852

MARRIED. At Occoquan, Prince William County by the Rev. Leachman, Leland A. Lynn to Catharine, daughter of the late John T. Selecman.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

April 2, 1858

MARRIED. At Occoquan meeting house, March 14^th, 1858 by Elder Lloyd Kidwell, Mr. Benoni Cornwell, and Miss Cordelia Ann Cornwell. At the same time and place, by the same, Mr. Leroy Cornwell, and Miss Columbia E. Cornwell, (two Brothers and two Sisters,) all of Prince William Co., Va.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

August 11, 1863

MARRIED. On the 2d inst. By the Rev. Dr. W. M. D. Ryan, George H. Gill, of Baltimore to Miss Maggie A., fourth daughter of the late John T. and Jane M. Selecman, of Occoquan, Prince William county, Va.

~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

October 17, 1866

MARRIED. On Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Grace Church by Rev. Henderson Suter. R. Rollins Fowle, of Alexandria, to Barbara W. Saunders, daughter of the late Dr. Addison H. Saunders, formerly of Occoquan, Prince William County, Va. No cards.

~ ~ ~ ~

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC)

March 12, 1885

MARRIAGES. In this City, on Tuesday, 10^th inst. By the Rev. Mr. Post, Dr. A. Sanders, of Occoquan, Prince William County, Virginia, to Miss Ellen M. Moore, daughter of the late Thomas Moore, of Alexandria, D.C.

Will: Thomas Page

THOMAS PAGE Will

Prince William County Will Book  M, pg 31

13 Jun 1822; proved 07 Jul 1823

In the name of God Amen I being in sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament.  Inprimis.  I leave to my dear wife & children all the property I now possess as also what is expected from our Richmond claim except as to BACCHUS and MARY who I leave free with an annuity of twenty pounds a year which annuity I solicit my Executors hereafter named to see carried into full effect my friends Robert Page and Michael Cleary of Occoquan will I hop see that my intention is to have its full force resting my hopes in a merciful redeemor I commit my soul to him who we all believe to have been the Saviour of the word.  Given under my hand this 13^th day of June 1822.

THOMAS T. PAGE

As a codicil to my will I further direct you should give them two cows & calves and assist them as long as they live for the services rendered me.

Witness,

ROBERT PAGE, MICHAL CLEARY

At a Court held for Prince William County July 7^th 1823.

This last will and testament & codicil thereunder written of THOMAS T. PAGE decd. was presented to the court and it appearing that the same is all in the hand writing of the testator it is ordered to be recorded and Michael Cleary one of the Exors. Therein named came into court and renounced the burden of the Execution thereof, and it further appearing to the satisfaction of the court that Robert Page the other Exor named in the said will declines acting as such, thereupon administration with the said will annexed of Thomas T. Page decd. is granted to Samuel Williams who came into court and made oath to the same according to law, and took the oath of administrator with the will annexed, and entered into and acknowledged a bond with secy. As the law directs.

Teste, P. D. DAWE

Newspaper Tidbit: Virginia Physicians Appointed to Navy

Alexandria Gazette
January 12, 1903

Four Virginia physicians, one from Alexandria and the other three from near there, have just been appointed assistant surgeons to serve in the navy for three years.  They are Dr. Julian T. Miller, of Alexandria; Dr. Walter H. Janney, of Occoquan; Dr. Harry W. Judd, of Culpeper, and Dr. Walter P. Keene, of Brentsville.  All of them passed excellent examinations and all of them were highly recommended by Congressman Rixey, of the Eighth district.