100 Years Ago Today: Candidate Cards

Manassas Journal
06 April 1923

CANDIDATES' CARDS

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For Commissioner of Revenue

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William  County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of Commissioner of the Revenue, District No. 1, of Prince William county, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923. If elected, I promise to discharge faithfully the duties of the office. I feel sure I can render more efficient service in the coming than in the preceding term, as my past experience will mean a great deal to the people of the county.

Respectfully yours, R. M. WEIR
45-te

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For Commissioner of the Revenue

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Commissioner of the Revenue, District No. 1, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

BAILY TYLER
45-e

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For Supervisor

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Supervisor of Gainesville District, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

ROLFE ROBERTSON
45-te

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For Supervisor

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Supervisor of Gainesville District, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

R. A. RUST

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For Sheriff

I hereby announce myself a candidate for re-election to the office of sheriff of Prince William county, subject to the democratic primary. If elected, I shall retain my present deputy.

CHAS. A. BARBEE

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For Sheriff

At the solicitation of my friends, I announce myself a candidate for the office of sheriff of Prince William county, subject to the democratic primary to be held in August, and hereby make an appeal for your support. If elected to the important office, I will give it my undivided attention.

Respectfully, BERNARD C. SMITH

Newspaper Tidbit: To the Voters of PWCo (1852 / County Surveyor)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
19 May 1852

To the Voters of Prince William County -- FELLOW CITIZENS:

As there are many of you with whom it will be out of my power, (owing to circumstances of a private character) to have a personal interview, therefore have chosen this method of announcing myself a candidate, under the new Constitution, for the office of County Surveyor, and respectfully solicit your suffrages. It may not be improper to state, that I have been engaged in surveying for the last five or six years, and think I can, with some confidence, appeal to those of my countrymen, who have had an opportunity of knowing, to say whether they believe me competent or not to discharge the duties pertaining to the said office. Should it be your pleasure to elect me, I pledge myself to give due and proper attention to the business, and to use my utmost exertions to render satisfaction. Awaiting your decision at the polls, I am very respectfully, your obedient servant, and fellow-citizen,

THOMAS W. CARTER.

Prince William co., mh 19-eotf

Political Tidbit: To The Voters (Sheriff)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
5 January 1852

To the Voters of Prince William County

Believing myself qualified to fill the office for which I solicit your votes, and to discharge all the duties appertaining thereto, and possessing equally upon principle with other citizens the right to any office in your gift, I present myself a candidate for the Sheriffalty of our County, under the Constitution, the ratification of which is not now doubted. It may be considered premature by some, as a Legislature has yet to be elected, to provide for the election of County officers. But as I am advised several gentlemen have not only announced themselves candidates, but are actually calling on you in person and soliciting your support, and hence delay might operate against me. In due season, I shall seek opportunities to have a personal interview with you all, and for the present only add that if it shall be your pleasure to confide this important trust to me, it will be mine to honor it. Your fellow-citizen, 

JOHN A. HARRISON.

Prince Wm. C., Va., nov. 19-wtf

[Mr. Harrison lost the election.  For a history of the PWCo Sheriff's office, check out Tish Como's article in the April 2005 edition of Prince William County Reliquary.  ~cgl]

Newspaper Tidbit: Meeting of the Whigs of PW (1840)

Richmond Whig (Richmond, Va)
14 April 1840

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY.

At a meeting of the Whigs of Prince William at Brentsville, Samuel H. Janney, Esq. in the Chair, and Stephen French, jr. Esq. Secretary, Allen Howison, Esq. was selected as the Whig Candidate for the County, and Messrs. Nicholas Cleary, Stephen French, jr. Addison H. Saunders, and J. Selden Mason, as Delegates to the Young Men's Baltimore Convention.

PWCo Item: 1834 House of Delegates Election

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
5 April 1834

Prince William County.

Col. JOHN HOOE will be supported as a candidate, at the ensuing election, to represent the County of Prince William in the House of Delegates.

THOMAS B. HOOE, Esq. will be run as the Working Men's candidate to represent the County of Prince William in the next General Assembly of Virginia.

We are authorized to announce W. W. WILLIAMS as a candidate to represent the County of Prince William in the House of Delegates.

We are authorized to announce BAZIL BRAWNER as a candidate to represent the County of Prince William in the House of Delegates.

[John W. Williams won the election. -- cgl]

Newspaper Tidbit: B. E. Harrison for Candidate (1847)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
18 March 1847

We are authorized to announce B. E. HARRISON, Esq., as a candidate to represent the county of Prince William in the next Legislature of Virginia, which we do with great pleasure. Being his neighbors, we know him to be both capable and deserving, and therefore ask our fellow citizens throughout the county to aid us in his election, convinced that none who support him will have cause to regret it.

MANY VOTERS.

Prince William, March 16--eo3w

PWCo Item: Letter from Brentsville (19 May 1875)

 Alexandria Gazette
19 May 1875

Letter from Brentsville
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

BRENTSVILLE, May 17, 1875 -- The people of our county, for the last two or three weeks, have been considerably agitated over the claims of the many individuals who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of serving the county for the next three or four years, but the agony is over and once more local excitement is subdued and everybody is now busy planting corn and praying for rain. A primary election was held for the benefit of the several aspirants, and in all respects was satisfactory in eliciting an expression of the will of the people. Prince William has about one thousand Conservatives, but at the election, held on the second Saturday in this month, only about nine hundred and fifty votes were cast, and as far as your correspondent can learn, all the candidates, both victors and vanquished, were satisfied, with the exception of one of the nominees who has raised the black flag and decries all who voted for his opponents, and proclaims them as enemies to himself and the public.

Our Circuit Court convened on the 10th. There were no criminals to be tried. The grand jury found a true bill against R. G. Troth, colored, for an attempt to burn the barn of Wm. H. Dogan. The court certified the case to the County Court for trial, the law providing that misdemeanors shall be tried in the County Court. On the chancery side of the court a large number of decrees were entered and some cases disposed of finally. On the common law side more issues were decided than at any previous term of the court for several years past. The bar was well represented, Alexandria and Fauquier putting in a very creditable appearance.

An old lady, named Mrs. Davis, died near Independent Hill this morning at the advanced age of eighty-four.

Newspaper Tidbit: Impeachment of Judges

Alexandria Gazette
24 January 1876

IMPEACHMENT OF JUDGES

The Richmond Enquirer of this morning says: A sensation was created in the House Saturday, where Mr. Purcell, Delegate from the county of Prince William, arose from his seat with a formidable-looking document in his hand, and said:

"Mr. Speaker: There has been placed in my hands a petition and affidavit as a part thereof of a respectable member of the bar and citizen of Prince William, asking that charges of a grave character against Aylett Nicol, Judge of the County Court of Prince William county be investigated. As a very humble representative of that county, it is my solemn duty this to present, and ask that it be referred to the proper committee, and in so doing so I desire to say that I am prompted by no feeling akin to the partisan, but by a desire to afford every opportunity for vindication and exoneration on the one hand, and on the other to forever preserve the judicial ermine in this Commonwealth in its spotless purity."

Mr. J. J. Davies, of the Prince William bar, brings these charges against Judge Nicol, and they are of the gravest possible nature. It is alleged, among other things, that through his court he has speculated in Carboro lots in Potomac City, that he has bought claims from his clients while holding their funds in his hands as judge, and that he agreed to accept a bribe of five hundred dollars to influence him in the appointment of commissioners to condemn certain lands. Judge Nicol is a native of Rappahanock county, but has resided in Prince William for thirty years. This is the first time in our journalistic experience that a Virginian judge has been accused of corrupt practices. The paper was referred.

The Whig, in alluding to the affair, says: -- The paper presented in the House of Delegates on Saturday, by Mr. Purcell, in regard to Judge Aylett Nicol, of Prince William county, is the affidavit of James J. Davies, charging Judge Nicol with being interested in certain lots in the town of Carbero, which were condemned for the use of the Potomac and Manassas Railroad, and damages assessed by commissioners appointed by him; that in co partnership with another person he fraudulently obtained assignments of the interests of other parties in the condemned lots; that having obtained a judgment for over $1,600 for a female client in the Circuit Court, he obtained an assignment of her right to the same for $300, one third of which was to be his fee for services, when he had in possession funds exceeding $1,600 subject to the said judgment; that as a judge he agreed to accept a bribe of $500 to appoint a new commission to assess damages for land belonging to a certain party which had been condemned for the use of a railroad, when the owner of the land and the attorney for the railroad company compromised the matter and the $500 bribe was not paid, etc. Upon this recital Mr. Jas. J. Davies prays an investigation, and gives a list of persons and papers that he desires to be sent for, including himself.

The Dispatch says: The impeachment of Judge Stevens, of Nelson, who won a considerable amount of money from Delegate Fowle at draw-polka, is talked about.  Friends of Stevens intimate that if such proceedings are commenced Judge Stevens, by summoning members of the House as witnesses in his behalf, can put those members in an embarrassing position.

Sunday's Obituary: James R. Purcell

Richmond Times Dispatch
1 February 1916

FUNERAL OF JAMES R. PURCELL
[Special to the Times-Dispatch]

Manassas, VA, Januar 31 - Funeral services were held here to-day for Mayor James R. Purcell, of Gainesville, a lifelong resident and native of Prince William County, who died at Staunton on Saturday.  He was seventy-eight years old and a veteran of the Civil War. At one time he was a member of the House of Delegates from Prince William County and was a former deputy sheriff of this county. He is survived by his widow and four children, three of whom are sons.

Sunday's Obituary: James Nokes

Critic-Record (Washington, DC)
4 Septmeber 1875

Died.  NOKES. -- At his residence, Nokesville, Prince William county, Virginia, on Thursday, September the 2d, James Nokes, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, a native of Winchester, Virginia, but for forty-five years a resident of this city.

His funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon, September 5th, at 3 o'clock, from the residence of his son, No. 509 Second street north west.  The friends and acquaintances of the family are respectfully invited to attend.

[In 1865, James Nokes was a witness for David Herold in the conspiracy trial before the military court with regard to President Lincoln's assassination.  He is buried in Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.  --cgl]

Friend of Friends Friday: John Underwood

Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts)

2 June 1859

JOHN UNDERWOOD, a magistrate of Prince William county, Virginia, was indicted some months ago for speaking too freely on slavery.  He was tried and fined, but the decision was reversed by the higher court.  Some of his neighbors, at the late election, insisted upon voting for him for the legislature, and the following is the vote in the town of Occoquan, where he has always resided:

For Governor.

Letcher, dem., 48

Goggin, opp., 70

For House of Delegates

Underwood, rep., 56

Lynn, dem., 42

Merchant, dem., 9

Very well for Occoquon, which is the first town below Mount Vernon, on the Potomac.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Alexandria Gazette

4 May 1859

At a meeting of the Justices of the County of Prince William, convened in the Jury Room, on the 1st day of April Court, for the purpose of expressing our protest against sitting as Justices in connection with John Underwood as a justice of this county, 14 out of the 16 Justices being present, viz: B. E. Harrison, W. L. Carter, J. C. Weedon, L. C. Lynn, Z. A. Kankey, C. A. Nelson, E. Nelson, W. W. Thornton, H. Love, L. B. Butler, E. Gaines, J. Ewell, A. F. Woodyard, and J. B. Grayson, B. E. Harrison was called on to preside, and J. B. Grayson to act as Secretary.

On motion of W. W. Thornton, B. E. Harrison, L. C. Lynn, H. Love, and L. B. Butler were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Underwood and ask his determination, whether he persists in sitting as Justice. 

This committee withdrew and after a brief absence returned and by their chairman, Mr. Harrison, reported that they had conferred with Mr. Underwood, and that he adhered to his determination to sit as a Justice of Prince William County, when on motion Resolved, That the Chairman appoint one from each Magisterial District to report resolutions expressive of the sentiments of this meeting, to be place on the  minutes of the Court.

The chairman appointed W. W. Thornton, J. Ewell, Z. A. Kankey and E. Nelson, who withdrew and in a short time reported the following:

Whereas John Underwood had been charged and convicted of a misdemeaner by a Jury of this county, in uttering abolition sentiments, in contravention of law and repugnant to public opinion, and having been requested by a committee of Justices to waive his right to a seat on the bench of this Court, or to retract said sentiments, and having refused to do either: Therefore we unanimously resolve that in view of our duty to the public, we will organize this Court and place upon its minutes this our protest against the conduct and sentiments of said Underwood.

The Court being then opened, the foregoing preable and resolution were unaimously ordered to be entered on the minutes of this Court.

B. H. Harrison, Chairiman

J. B. Grayson, Secretary

Newspaper Tidbit: Politics: Jackson Corresponding Committee

United States Telegraph (Washington, DC)
22 April 1828

Pursuant to public notice, the Jackson Corresponding Committee for Prince William county (consisting of John W. Tyler, Charles S. Carter, Stuart G. Thornton, Dr. James W. P. Macrae, Major Luke Cannon, Thomas R. Hampton, William Tyler, Major Ashmere, Redmon Foster, William E. Alexander, James G. Bryce, Wm. Cleary, James Foster, Peyton Norvill, Major George Jackson, John S. Fairfax, Wm. B. Tyler, and Geo. W. Macrae) convened at Brentsville on the 7th inst. at the tavern of Thomas R. Hampton.

A majority of the committee being present, John W. Tyler, Esq. in the chair, on motion, Geo. W. Macrae was appointed Secretary, whereupon it was resolved unanimously that that the following persons, freeholders of the county of Prince William, be added to the committee heretofore appointed by the Legislative Convention, to wit:

Stephen French, Joseph R. Lynn, Alexander Foot, Richard B. Tyler, Jas. Fewell, William P. Cundiff, Benj. Johnson, John Fitzhugh, Wm. A. Harrison, Joseph Johnson, Moses Cockrell, Peyton Mills, James G. Watkins, John Hutchinson, James M. Tyler, Thomas Nelson, Jr., George Carney, Benson Lynn, George G. Tyler, Wittoughby W. Tebbs, Samuel Janney, Richard Britt, John W. Williams, Richard B. Scott, Alfred B. Tyler, Travis Davis, John Dogan, Geo. N. B. Renoe, Hezekiah Martin, Samuel H. Fisher, John Tansill, Strother Renoe, John Lee, James Florence, Jno. Graham, John G. Kubleman, Maj. Enoch Grear, and James H. Reid.

On motion, Resolved, that the editors of the Richmond Enquirer, and the United States Telegraph, be requested to publish the proceedings of this Committee.

The Committee then adjourned to meet again at Brentsville, on the 1st Monday in May next.

John W. Tyler, Chairman
Geo. W. Macrea, Sec'ry

The above is a true and correct copy of the proceedings of the Jackson Corresponding Committee for Prince William County, convened at Brentsville on the 7th of April, 1828.

Geo. W. Macrae
Secretary to the Committee
Brentsville, April 12th, 1828

[During the 1828 Presidential election, Andrew Jackson's campaign included hundreds of local Jackon committees and a large network of newspapers. ~cgl]



 

Newspaper Tidbit: Commissioners of Election in PWCo

Alexandria Gazette
15 May 1860

COMMISSIONERS OF ELECTION IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA

The following gentlemen have been appointed by the court of Prince William county, Commissioners to superintend the election to be held for county officers on the fourth Thursday this month:

Brentsville -- William W. Davis, A. Howison, Dr. E. W. Latimer, Jno. Camper, and Eppa Hunton, commissioners, - Jas. G. Draney, Conductor.

P. J. Cannon's Store -- Ben. Johnson, D. T. Arrington, J. Willcoxen, W. I. Wier, and Geo. A. Cannon - A. F. Woodyard, Conductor.

Hay Market -- J. A. Harrison, G. Hulfish, Thos. S. Shirley, and B. E. Harrison - G. Simpson, Conductor.

Sudley Mills -- J. T. Leachman, C. C. Cushing, M. W. Lynn, J. D. Dogan, and John Y. Cundiff - A. Buckley, Conductor.

Dumfries -- J. W. Groves, R. W. Wheat, T. H. Speake, G. W. Merchant, J. A. Annis - M. F. McConchie, Conductor.

Cole's Store -- F. Hanna, Z. A. Kankey, W. H. Smoot, W. Selecman, and Basil Brawner - W. Gaskins, Conductor.

Kings' Former Store -- John Sullivan, Ro. Wilkins, J. W. Davis, W. H. Simpson, and C. A. Nelson - John Keys, Conductor.

Society Saturday: Supper at Ben Lomond Farm

Manassas Journal
31 December 1931

SUPPER AT BEN LAMOND [sic] FARM

Ben Lamond, the old stone mansion of C. C. Lynn, was illuminated and beautifully decorated Monday night when Mr. Lynn gave a turkey supper to a number of his friends.

Those present were Hon. Geo. Herring, member of House of Delegates; Mr. Harry Ryan, Mr. Harry Ryan, jr., and Howard Ryan, of Washington; Wm. Leachman, E. R. Conner, J. C. Kincheloe and Robt. Smith, of Manassas.

After supper they played cards until 10:30.  Then they all left for their respective homes after bidding their host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn, good night and wishing them a bountiful turkey crop for the coming year.

Newspaper Tidbit: Voting Notice in Haymarket Precinct (1832)

National Aegis (Vicksburg, Mississippi)
November 21, 1832

A CURIOSITY.  The Commissioners for holding the elections at Haymarket Precinct, in Prince William County, Virginia, posted up the following notice at the public places in Haymarket:

"Notice.  Persons desirous to vote for Andrew Jackson, as President of the United States, can obtain tickets by applying to the Commissioners who will conduct the election.  They are cautioned against receiving tickets from any other source, as it is believed we have more to fear from false friends than avowed enemies."

We consider this a most unauthorized interference on the part of the Commissioners, who should have been seen in any other position than that of electioneering partizans.

Alexandria Gazette

Newspaper Tidbit: A New Candidate

Roanoke Times - 25 May 1897

A NEW CANDIDATE.  There is a new candidate in the field for the Democratic nomination for governor.  This is Mr. James Robert Southall, of Gainesville, Prince William county, who says he is sure to win.  Mr. Southall is here working up a boom for himself.  He wants to be governor and he does not hesitate to say so.  And he further declares that the people want him.  Mr. Southall came here to attend the session of the State committee and has remained over to talk up his candidacy.  He says he has made several speeches in his section of the State and will go from here to Culpeper and Orange.  Mr. Southall, who was a gallant Confederate and is a great sportsman, proposes quite a liberal platform on which he thinks all Democrats can stand.  He seems equally as earnest as either of the other three candidates in the field, and says he is working night and day with every assurance of success.

   ~Richmond correspondent Norfolk Pilot

(Apparently not enough people "wanted" Mr. Southall.  James Hogue Tyler was elected the 43^rd Governor of Virginia from 1898 to 1902 ~cgl)