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

Manassas Journal
January 4, 1924

DEATH OF MRS. RUSSELL

Aged Independent Hill Resident Buried New Year's Day

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

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

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

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

Will: Nathaniel R. Cannon

Will of Nathaniel R. Cannon
PWCo. Will Book O, pg. 275

I Nathaniel R. Cannon of Prince William County and State of Virginia do hereby make this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say:

1st. After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses I give to my wife Mary B. Cannon all my Estate both real and personal to her and her heirs forever.

And lastly, I do herby constitute and appoint my wife above named executrix of this my last will and testament without being compelled to give security required by law.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 12th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty six. 

Nathanial R. Cannon {seal}

Signed and acknowledged in presence of us,
J. Snowden, Caleb Russell
James H. Halley, J. E. Weems

At a court held for Prince William County the 3rd day of October 1836.

This last will and testament of Nathaniel R. Cannon decd was presented to the Court, and being proved by the oath of Jesse E. Weems, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, is ordered to be certified. And at a Court of Quarterly Sessions contd and held for said County 8th day of November 1836. This said last will and testament of Nathaniel R. Cannon decd was again presented to the Court and being proved by the affirmation of Caleb Russell, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, is ordered to be recorded.

Testr, Jno. Williams   C. C. 

PWCo Items: Playground Indorsed/Purebred Hogs Distributed (1943)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
4 July 1943

Playground Indorsed.

The Manassas Town Council at a meeting this week indorsed the proposal of the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce providing for the use of a town lot situated between West street and Grant avenue as a colored playground. A committee of Chamber of Commerce representatives headed by Dr. George B. Cocke and representatives of the local colored populace headed by Dr. John Williams presented the plan to the council for approval. The playground will provide recreation for colored youths of the vicinity and will be under the direction of trained supervisors.

Purebred Hogs Distributed.

Seven Prince William County 4-H Club boys have been selected to receive the seven purebred Hampshire shows and one boar given to the county by Sears, Roebuck & Co. in their hog, dairy and poultry 4-H project designed to promote the production of better livestock in Northern Virginia. The seven boys, members of the Manassas-Nokesville 4-H Club, include Ray Smith, Lynn Hastings Herring, Leon Kline, Charles Fitzwater, jr.; Harold Hersch, Sidney Flickinger and Francis Joyce. The boar has been placed with Ray Smith.

Twelve additional purebred Hampshire pigs have been placed with members of the Occoquan-Bethel 4-H Club, according to Frank Cox, county agent. These, donated by individual farmers of Occoquan district, were distributed to George Thomas Selecman, Bobby Rigney, Buddy Reid, Augustus Davis, Edward Garber, Grover Manderfield, William Douglas Clarke, Bobby Tyrrell, Vernon Dawson and Frances Anne Garner.

Donors of the purebred Hampshire pigs placed with Occoquan-Bethel 4-H Club members include T. Powell Davis, Wilmer Garber, George Selecman, G. C. Russell, P. C. Wigglesworth, Gilmer Garber and F. B. Morgan.

Newspaper Tidbit: Letter of Appreciation

 Manassas Journal (Va)
14 April 1932

LETTER OF APPRECIATION

Editor, Manassas Journal,
Manassas, Virginia.

Dear Sir:

I wish by this method to express the appreciation of myself individually, and on behalf of Virginia Forest Fire Service, for the very valuable assistance extended this department by the Aviation Corp., at Quantico, by reason of reporting its observance of fires which could not be discovered where proper officers could give prompt relief.

Too often we criticize the various department of the National and State Government and fail to appreciate and give credit for the service they render our community; and I adopt this means of expressing publicly the appreciation of the department and of the undersigned.

J. M. RUSSELL
Chief Fire Warden,
Prince William Co.

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

Manassas Journal (Manassas, VA)
13 July 1939

HOLDS FAMILY REUNION

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

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

Travel Tuesday: Autos Collide (1919)

Alexandria Gazette
27 June 1919

AUTOS COLLIDE

J. S. Russell, Prince William County, Received Slight Injuries Last Night

John S. Russell, of Prince William county, Va., was cut about the face by broken glass from the windshield of an automobile in which he was a passenger, driven by Henry Carter, of Prince William County, when Carter's automobile and an automobile driven by F. W. Wehrman, this city, collided at King and Columbus streets.  Russell's injuries were dressed at Alexandria Hospital.

Both machines were considerably damaged.  The collision was a head on affair and the crash attracted a large throng. Police Sergt. Scott soon arrived and the matter was satisfactorily adjusted between the owners of the cars.

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.

Society Saturday: Farewell Party (Ruby Russell)

Manassas Journal
16 June 1932

FAREWELL PARTY

A very delightful party was given at the home of Miss Ruby Russell on Tuesday evening when she bid her friends good-by before leaving her home on West street.  She is soon to return to her country home at Canova.  She will be greatly missed by her many friends in Manassas.

Those present at the party were:  Misses Virginia, Ruth, Clara, Irene and Elizabeth Cross, Miss Edith and Virginia Carter, Miss Eula Shaw, Miss Sarah Vetter, Miss Mildred Cooke, Miss Mickie Lunsford and Mr. and Mrs. Emory Russell.

Messers. Floyd Vetter, Randolph Payne, William Ward, Edward Pattie, Douglas Dodson, Robert Leith, William Bowers, Paul Cooksey, Jake Terry, Shelmon Holmes, Russell and Willard Shaw.



[I love the reference to Miss Russell's "country home at Canova."  The Canova community was originally named Woodbine after Levi C. Lynn's home Woodbine, as well as the Baptist church and school of the same name that he founded.  It was renamed Canova in the early 1900's, largely in part to James Sullivan, who owned a general store in the area.  Eugene Scheel's "Crossroads and Corners" notes that Sullivan chose the name because it was easy to spell and was likely unaware of the famous sculptor Antonio Canova.  Today the area is called "Woodbine" once more but Canova Drive in Independent Hill remains -- Woodbine School on one side of the road and Woodbine Baptist Church on the other -- in the heart of the rapidly growing Coles Magisterial District.  Hardly "country" any longer!  --cgl]

Friday's Faces from the Past: Manassas High School: 1936 Faculty & Class

The photo below was being offered for sale on an online auction site.  When searching for genealogical treasures and information, consider browsing local and online antique stores and flea markets.

Manassas Journal

11 June 1936

Wedding Wednesday: Russell / Cross

Washington Post
2 September 1943

Doris Russell, Leonard Cross, Married in Va.

Miss Doris Russell, daughter of James Russell of Canova, Va., and Leonard Cross, son of Mrs. Sara E. Cross of Manassas, Va., were married on Sunday, the ceremony taking place in the Woodbine Baptist Church in Manassas.  The Rev. Leonard Weston officiated and a reception followed at the  home of the bride.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of white marquisette and carried a bouquet of bridal roses.  Her shoulder-length veil was held by a coronet. Miss Lena Maddux of Kingsport, Tenn., formerly of Manassas, was maid of honor and other attendants were Mrs. James Russell, sister-in-law of the bride, and Mrs. Sidney Dunn.

Bernard Cross was his brother's best man and the ushers were William Ward of Indianhead, Md., and Judson Holmes of Manassas.

Newspaper Tidbit: Three at Birth

Alexandria Gazette
26 May 1875

THREE AT BIRTH -- Prince William comes in for a notice of interest.  On the 20th inst. the wife of Henry Russell gave birth to three female children.  The wife died at the birth of the last, but the children are all doing well.  Henry is a most deserving, respected and honorable colored man.  During the war he was horse-sheer for the 4th Va. cavalry, and since the war has steadfastly and boldly stood by the Conservative party. -- Cor. Fredericksburg Star

[It isn't often that I come across birth announcements/stories in 1800's newspapers.  This one is especially important because it notes the birth of triplets and the passing of Henry Russell's first wife, Eugenia.  In the 1880 PWCo census, Henry Russell and his second wife, Susan (Payne), are listed with the following children:  Henry (14), Roberta (7), and Maggie (2).  Roberta appears to be the only one of the triplets to have survived.  ~cgl]

Church Record Sunday: Easter Program (1920)

Manassas Journal

2 April 1920

WOODBINE

An interesting program was rendered Sunday evening at Woodbine Church by the young folk of the community.  An Easter program is being prepared for next Sunday evening, with Mrs. J. M. Russell as leader.

Last Sunday's program included a song, Scripture reading, invocation, a solo, Jesus Loves Me, by Mr. Odie Breeden; a recitation, Four Leaf Clover, by Annie Golihew; a reading, The Leak in the Dyke, by Miss Pauline Smith; a solo by Mr. W. A. Breeden; a recitation, The Old Homestead, by Miss Maud Norman; a reading, Somebody's Mother, by Miss Annie Cornwell; a duet, a reading, Little Golden Hair, by Miss Pearl Russell; a reading, A Psalm of Life, by Miss Bessie Cornwell, a duet, a reading, We Parted in Silence, by Miss Goldie Golihew; a song, a reading, by Miss Myrtle Cornwell, a reading, The Volunteer, by Miss Ruth Wheaton; a song, a recitation, The Widower, by Miss Maud Norman; a solo, a recitation by Miss Annie Golihew and a recitation by Mrs. Hill.

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

Will: Jacob Gibson (1735)

JACOB GIBSON Will

Prince William Co. Will Book C, pg. 35

Signed 2 Oct 1734; Proved 21 May 1735

In the name of God Amen the 2^nd Day of October 1734 I JACOB GIBSON of the above County being of perfit memory thanks be to God at this time and calling to mind that it is apinted for all men once to dy I recommend my soull to God that gave it and my Bodee to the Earth to be buired after a desant like maner at the discration of my asitor.  Imprmus I give and bequeth to my sun JACOB GIBSON my gray hors that I had of MARGRIT RUSSEL.

It. I give and bequeth to my sun ABRAHAM GIBSON one young gray horse caled Darrick and my bridell & sadell.

It. I give & bequeth to my daughter MARY PARKER one young hefer.

It. I give & bequeth to my daughter SARAH LAMBARTH one yarling.

It. I give & bequeth to my daughter JANN TURNER one young mair.

It. I give & bequeth to my sun IASACK GIBSON one young cow.

It. I give & bequeth to my daughter ANN GIBSON one young cow.

It. I give & bequeth all the remainder part of my estate to my loving wife JANE GIBSON land and savings to be diposed after hur one discration and furder I do apint my wife to be my hole and sol asitor and I desire my estate should not be brout to apraisment but that it may be divided according to my will by some of the nighburs I witness my hand and seell this 2^nd day of October 1734.

JACOB [x his mark] GIBSON  {seal}

LEO. BARBUR

GEORGE CALVARD JUNIOR

At a Court held for Prince William County the twenty first day of May 1735.

This will was poisented into Court by Jane Gibson wid. Executria therein named who made Oath thereto & being proved by the Oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed it is admitted to Record and on the Motion of the said Jane and the performing what is usual in such cases Certificate is Granted her for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form.

Teste

CATESBY COCKE   Cl. Cur.

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Court (1875)

Alexandria Gazette
September 11, 1875

At the September term of the County Court, J. Engle Smith was appointed and qualified by entering into bonds in $500 as overseer of the poor in Brentsville township.

Geo. W. Tansill and C. A. Cannon qualified as deputies of the county treasurer, W. W. Kincheloe.

The grand jury presented an indictment against William D. Lee for felony, charging him with burning the stackyard of Wm. L. B. Wheeler.

Manassas Russell was exempted from State and county capitation tax on account of old age.

Com. vs. Samuel Smith, charged with putting an obstruction on the Midland railroad.  The prisoner, a small negro boy, was prosecuted by the Commonwealth's attorney, assisted by Gen. Eppa Hunton, employed by the railroad company, and defended by Messrs. C. E. Sinclair and E. E. Meredith.  The jury took the case about sundown, but failing to agree, were kept until twelve o'clock Tuesday, when they were discharged, and a new trial ordered at the next term of the court.  It is said the first vote by the jury resulted in eleven for acquittal and one for conviction, and that one, Mr. Perry, held out to the last.

Com. vs. Wm. D. Lee; prisoner arraigned and pleaded not guilty, and one of his counsel, Judge Sinclair, appeared and demurred generally to the indictment, and on his motion the case was continued until next court.

Sunday's Obituary: James R.Sullivan

Manassas Democrat
October 5, 1911

JAMES SULLIVAN DIES OF PARALYSIS

Stricken Preparing for Church

End Came Sunday Night -- Funeral Yesterday at Woodbine -- Postmaster and Merchant at Canova

While preparing to go to church, James Sullivan, 70 years old, a prominent citizen of Prince William county, was stricken with paralysis in his home at Canova last Sunday night at 7:30 o'clock.  He died shortly after 8 o'clock Monday night.  The funeral was held from Woodbine Church yesterday afternoon.

James R. Sullivan joined the Prince William Rifles, Company F, of the Seventeenth Virginia Infantry and served faithfully with the company to the surrender at Appomattox, and was twice wounded.  He was made corporal and afterward sergeant.

Mr. Sullivan was postmaster at Canova, where he conducted a general merchandise store.  He had been a resident of Prince William county all his life.  Mr. Sullivan is survived by a daughter, Mrs. C. M. Russell, and  by two grand-children, at Canova.  His wife died nine years ago.

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.”

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.

Military Monday: Randolph Whitmer Fair

Manassas Journal
December 6, 1918

R. W. FAIR KILLED

Death Came on Day the Armistice Was Signed

A telegram has just been received, telling of the death of Randolph Whitmer Fair, who died in France November 10th.  He was killed in battle the day the armistice was signed.

His death came as a great shock to his many friends.  He leaves to mourn his loss his mother, who was anxiously awaiting his early return home from far across the water.  Also his wife and two little girls, the oldest six years of age, and her youngest a little over a year old.

Only a few days ago the oldest one, little Hazel, said, I want to see my papa.  And while this is their loss, we hope it will be his eternal gain.  And now he has gone from this earth.  He will nevermore know sorrow or pain.

Mr. Fair was born in Prince William county, Va., in February 10, 1886, and made this his home until Uncle Sam sent him away Nov. 6, 1917, to fight for his country.

Mr. Fair had been road superintendent for Mr. T. M. Russell, in the county, for four years and was liked by all his friends.

A Friend

Tombstone Tuesday: James M. and Daisy M. Russell

Woodbine Church Cemetery
Manassas, Virginia

James M. Russell, Sr. opened Russell's Store (general goods) in 1931 in the Woodbine/Canova section of the county.  His son, James. M., Jr., ran the store from 1972 until his death in 1989.