Society Saturday: New Year's Eve Dance

Manassas Journal
January 11, 1924

NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE

A New Year's Eve dance attended by a large company of young people was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. Raymond Ratcliffe, in Grant Avenue, with their young son, Master Jack Ratcliffe, as host.

Among the guests were Misses Nancy Waters, Anna Bruce Whitmore, Virginia Conner, Elizabeth Coleman, Susie Gibson, Wilhelmina Wenrich, Anne Davies and Dabney Waters, Hawes Davies, Jenkyn Davies, Ned Bradford, Ashby Rogers, Henry Lee Lewis, Charles Walton Lewis, Charles Armistead Sinclair, Wallace Lynn, Preston Lyon, Robert Morris Henry, Robert Weir and Beverly Adams.

Will: Sarah C. Calvert

Will of Sarah C. Calvert
PWCo. Will Book O, pg. 422
Executed 21 August 1839; Proved 2 September 1839

I Sarah C. Calvert of the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia being at this time sick but of sound memory and disposing mind, do make this my last will and testament. 

1. I give to my son Robert A. Calvert slaves, Lewis, Henry, and William and the increase of the said slave Henry to have & to hold the same to him and his heirs forever.

2. I give and devise to my said son Robert A. Calvert and  his heirs slaves Ned, Delia, and Julia, and the future increase of the females to hold the same in trust, for the use and benefit of my daughter Chloe Ann Cooper, wife of Benjamin Cooper, for her sole and separate use after the death of the said Benjamin Cooper her husband, should she survive him, and in the mean time to permit the said Benjamin Cooper and Chloe Ann his wife to take possession of said slaves and to have their services and hires without accountability to the said Robert A. Calvert for and during their joint lives; and then for the survivor of them during his or her life, and after the death of both of them, then for the use of the children of the said Benjamin and Chloe Ann issuing from their marriage born or hereafter to born until the youngest of them shall attain the age of twenty one years, at the happening of which last event the trust herein reposed in the said Robert A. Calvert shall cease and the said slaves and their increase shall thenceforth be the property of the children issuing from the marriage of the said Benjamin Cooper and Chloe Ann his wife and their heirs to be equally divided between them.

3. I give and bequeath to my son Robert A. Calvert one bedstead bed and furniture.

4. I devise to Lucien Alexander Davis son of my daughter A. F. who intermarried with William W. Davis one bedstead bed and furniture; also, one hundred dollars to be paid to him by Robert A. Calvert one of my Executors to be hereafter named upon his arrival at the age of twenty one years, and should he the said Lucien Alexander Davis die before his arrival to that age, then I give and devise the said bedstead, bed and furniture to my said son Robert A. Calvert and his heirs forever.

5. I give to my grand daughter Sarah C. Cooper one bedstead bed and furniture.

6. I give to my grand daughter Mary Virginia Cooper one bedstead bed and furniture.

7. I devise to my son Robert A. Calvert the sum of one hundred dollars herein before given, by the 4th clause in this my will to Lucien Alexander Davis provided the said Lucien Alexander Davis shall die under the age of twenty one years.

8. The residue of my estate real personal or mixed I devise to my daughter Chloe Ann Cooper and to my son Robert A. Calvert to be equally divided between them, they paying in equal portions my just debts, and funeral expenses.

9. And lastly I appoint Robert A. Calvert and Benjamin Cooper executors of this my last will and testament. Given from under my hand the 21st day of August A.D. 1839.

Sarah C. Calvert [X her mark]

Signed sealed published and declared by the testatrix as and for her last will and testament in her presence and in the presence of each other.

Moses Arnold
Nancy Sidebottom [X her mark]
M. B. Sinclair

At a Court held for Prince William County Sept. 2d 1839

This last Will and testament of Sarah C. Calvert decd was proved according to law by the Oaths of Moses Arnold and Mordecia B. Sinclair witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Robert A. Calvert and Benjamin Cooper the Executors named therein who made oath thereto and together with Alexander Howison and Charles G. Howison their securities, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $8000 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.

Teste   J. Williams  c. c. 

Homestead Deed: Robert A. Keys (1890)

Homestead Deed of Robert A. Keys
PWCo Deed Book 40, pg. 12

Know all men by these Presents that I, Robert A. Keys a citizen of Prince William County, and state of Virginia, being a householder and head of a family, and being desirous of claiming the benefit of the provisions of chapter 178 of the Code of Virginia of 1887, and amendment thereto under the pursuance of the state constitution of 1867, entitled exemption of property of a householder on head of a family from levy, seizure, garnishment or sale, for debts or liabilities on contract, by this deed made on this the 6th day of October 1890, do declare my intention of claiming such homestead on the following property, owned by me to wit:

12 acres of land at Brentsville, Va. upon which I now reside, and which was purchased by me from J. B. Reid & wife.

1 Bureau / $250.00
35 Barrels of corn / $10.00
40 shocks of fodder / $6.00
1 Red heifer 2 years old in June net / $9.00

Which said property selected and designated and set apart, I the said Robert A. Keys by virtue of the provisions of the chapter aforesaid of the Virginia Code of 1887, claim to hold exempt from levy, seizure, garnishing and sale.

Witness the following signature and seal

Robert A. [x his mark] Keys {seal}

Witnesses to the signature of R. A. Keys

W. W. Buckley
A. W. Sinclair

In Prince William County Court, Oct. 6th 1890.

This Homestead Deed of Robt. A. Keys was presented to the Court, acknowledged by the Grantor and was ordered to be recorded.

Teste, E. Nelson  Clk

PWCo Item: Letter from Prince William (11 February 1870)

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
11 February 1870 (pg. 2)

LETTER FROM PRINCE WILLIAM
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

BRENTSVILLE, Feb. 9 -- The February term of Prince William County Court was held yesterday and day before. There was a pretty general attendance of people.

Judge J. W. Moore delivered an address on the issues of the day. W. C. Balch, esq. and Judge Sinclair also spoke. I heard that after the above gentlemen finished, two Conservative colored men spoke.

The following cases were tried:

Com. vs. Hoor, assault and battery -- verdict not guilty. Clark & Gen. Payne for defendant.

Com. vs. Beender, (colored) petit larceny -- verdict guilty and imprisoned 30 days. Clark for defendant.

William Fuell a colored man, sentenced six months ago to 9 months imprisonment in the county jail, was released.

An effort was made by Round, Commonwealth's Attorney, to get the Court to release Franklin Taylor from jail. He is confined in default of giving $1000 bond to keep the peace. This is a novel move for a Commonwealth's Attorney, especially as Taylor has, it was said, threatened boldly and openly to burn all the property that two gentlemen in the county own, and to kill then too, in less than twelve months. The Court very creditably refused to entertain such a motion.

The two men, Henderson and Nelson who are confined on charge of having entered and robbed the store of Davis & Lynn in this county, made a desperate attempt a few nights ago to break jail by prizing the bars out of the jail window, working through the side which was decayed, and pulling out the bricks with their bands. The noise was heard, however, by W. N. Tansill the jailor, and the progress of it arrested.

Mr. Tansill then ironed them, and Henderson with his naked hands snapped one of the chains entirely in two pieces.

They have since been ironed more securely. Henderson was married on Tuesday -- made arrangements on that day to rob the store -- robbed it on Friday night, and was arrested in a day or two afterwards in the presence of his wife, and a large portion of the goods were found opened on the bed near him. His wife who is of respectable parentage and possess some beauty is, greatly horrified at the conduct of her husband, as I learn.

Candidates for office are thick as "leaves in Vallombrosa." One gentleman last Monday I understand was so full of speech that the chairman of the meeting found great difficulty in inducing him to simmer down and let of steam without going through the process of a general explosion, while another in his great eagerness to speak suffered his coat tails to be nearly torn from his body in spasmodic efforts to bring him to a sitting position.

There will be a general convention held here next Saturday week, the 19th inst., to consider county matters, make nominations &c.

TYRONE.

PWCo Items: Court Day -- 14 May 1870

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
14 May 1870

LETTER FROM PRINCE WILLIAM CO.
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

The May term of the Circuit Court for this county was held this week ending yesterday evening, under Judge Keith.

R. A. Sinclair and John Camper qualified as deputies under L. C. Osmun clerk.

The grand jury found an indictment against Sydney Cross for assault and battery.

In the case of the Commonwealth vs. Manly which has been pending for about two yeas, a demurrer to the indictment was sustained.  Clark and Hunton for prosecution, Payne and Sinclair for defence.

Com. v. James Javins -- assault with intent to kill -- verdict not guilty.  Clark for prosecution, Sinclair for defendant.

Judge J. W. Moore and Albert Stuart, esq., qualified as Attorneys in this court.

Carpenter and O'Brien vs. John Naglee and Teasdale, on attachment bond -- verdict for plaintiff for $500 damages. Payne and Sinclair for plaintiff, Hunton for defence.

John W. Davis benefit of W. G. Brawner's administrator, vs. A. Patterson -- verdict for defendant for $119, which interest from 9th April 1865. Hunton for plaintiff, Clark for defendant.

A number of decrees were entered and much other chancery business was attended to.

In the celebrated chancery case of Cormey vs. Taylor, involving the title to the "Missouri mills" property in this county, the Court appointed Benjamin S. West, esq., of Stafford county, a receiver, and recommitted the papers to the Commissioner.

Franklin Taylor confined in jail in default of giving security to keep the peace in a bond of $1,000, was brought before the Court on a writ of habeas corpus, and the matter being argued by Judge Sinclair for the petitioner, and Clark for the State, the party was remanded to jail. Gen. Payne has been employed to assist the Commonwealth's Attorney.

Lawrence Cole, esq., who lost his horse recently has heard nothing of the thief and it is feared tha the will escape with the property.  The horse was tracked towards Gainesville.

The Court House lot will be enclosed before the next term of the County Court.

The rainy weather recently has delayed the farmers greatly in getting in their crops.

The country is beginning to look very pretty, vegetation is coming up and the trees are commencing to spread their green foliage in lively contrast with their dreary appearance during the winter.

TYRONE.

Brentsville, Va., May 13, 1870

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Congressional Meeting (1870)

Alexandria Gazette
13 September 1870

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY CONGRESSIONAL MEETING.--At a meeting of Conservatives of Prince William county, held at the Court House in Brentsville, on Monday the 5th inst., Allen Howison, was called to the chair and D. W. Whiting and R. M. Waters appointed Secretaries. On motion of Charles E. Sinclair, the chairman appointed a committee of three from each Township to select five delegates from each of the Townships to the Congressional Convention to be held in Alexandria on Friday the 29th inst.

The Committee retired and reported the names of the following gentleman for delegates.

Brentsville Township--James F. Clark, W. J. Manuel, E. E. Meredith, J. M. Sinclair, W. W. Thornton.

Coles Towhship--John W. Davis, Meredith W. Horton, John H. Purcell, M. B. Weedon, Wm. M. Lynn

Dumfries Township--J. F. Wheat, G. E. Keys, A. H. Fucchsthal, G. W. Dunnington, Richard Stonnell

Occoquan Township--Dr. Powell, J. V. Nash, Z. A. Kankey, Vernon Davis

Manassas Township--T. J. Leachman, G. O. Donahue, F. A. Weedon, Dr. L. Alexander

Gainesville Township--Samuel Simpson, Col. Berkeley, George S. Hamilton, John T. Gundiff

Which report was concurred in. On motion of James F. Clark the chairman, secretaries, and committee were added to the list of delegates. It was resolved that Charles E. Sinclair be chairman of the delegation and that an authenticated copy of the proceedings be furnished to the chairman by the Secretaries; it was further resolved that a report of the proceedings of this meeting be published in the county papers and the district papers be requested to copy. The meeting, on motion then adjourned.

ALLEN HOWISON, Chairman

R. M. WATERS,
D. W. WHITING, Secretaries


At a meeting held at the Court House on Monday last, for the purpose of organization of the Conservative party, Mr. F. A. Weedon was called to the chair and E. E. Meredith appointed secretary.

Mr. B. F. Lewis was appointed county superintendent.

The following gentlemen were appointed on the township committees.

Cole's--Levi C. Lynn, Laurence Cole, and John W. Davis

Brentsville--J. F. Clark, Judge Nicol, and D. W. Whitting

Dumfries--J. C. Weedon, J. W. Chapman, and J. H. Jordan

MAnassas--F. J. Cannon, W. W. Davis, and John. H. Butler

Occoquan-- Dr. Powell, Dr. Ish, and J. V. Nash

Gainesville--Colonel S. Simpson, C. Cushing and Luther Lynn

Those Places Thursday: Waverly

Alexandria Gazette
1 December 1855

PRINCE WILLIAM LAND FOR SALE -- Determined to change my business, I will sell, on Monday, the 17th day of December, 1855, if fair, if not the next fair day, one of the most desirable farms in the County. This farm known as "Waverly," contains three hundred acres, about ninety of which are in timber, and is divided into six fields, with water in each field. -- About sixty bushels of wheat have been seeded with guano, promising in a favorable season a yield of from eight hundred to a thousand bushels. The soil is of excellent quality and its proximity to Alexandria, together with the facilities of the Railroad, render it a highly valuable estate.

The buildings are entirely new, commodious, and in complete order. The MANSION is large and elegant, and for convenience cannot be excelled. Besides a large and unfailing spring convenient, there is at one end of the house a cistern that will supply a large family. Waverly lies immediately on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, thirty-two miles from Alexandria, and one and three quarter miles from Bristoe Station.

Terms of Sale -- One third in cash the balance in one, two and three years, with a deed of trust to secure the deferred payments.

L. B. NORVILL

Bristoe Station, Pr. Wm. Co., Va - Oct 29 - eots



Alexandria Gazette
1 September 1871

AUCTION SALES

WAVERLY FOR SALE

By virtue of a decree of the Circuit Court of Prince William County, pronounced at its May term, 1871, in the suit of Haynes vs. Norville, the undersigned, commissioners for the purpose, will, on MONDAY, the 7th day of August, 1871, that being Court day, in Brentsville, offer for sale by public auction, the TRACT OF LAND called WAVERLY, the property of L. B. Norville, containing 245 acres. This land lies beautifully on the O., A. & M. R. R. , ab out midway between Bristoe and Nokesville, and is very good land.

Terms: Cash enough to pay costs of suit and sale, and the residue of purchase money divided into four equal annual payments from day of sale. The purchaser to give bonds, bearing interest from day of sale. The title to be reserved, the cash payment forfeited, and the land subject to resale upon failure of purchaser to meet any instalment as its falls due.

EPPA HUNTON
W. H. PAYNE
CHAS. E. SINCLAIR
   Commissioners

Pr. Wm. co. je 20-eots


The above sale has been postponed until MONDAY, September 4th, at the same time and place.

Pr. Wm. co. aug 10-eots

Sunday's Obituary: Richard A. Sinclair

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
22 February 1904

AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA

Death of Richard A. Sinclair

Alexandria, VA.  February 22, 1904

Mr. Richard Alexander Sinclair died Sunday morning after a lingering illness at the Alexandria Hospital.  He was a native of Brentsville, Prince William county, but removed to this city in 1853 and was appointed deputy clerk of the courts by the late Benjamin B. Berry, who was then clerk. At the lose of the civil war Mr. Sinclair was elected clerk of the county court, holding this position several years.  Mr. Sinclair studied law and was admitted to the bar, but for some years past he had not engaged in active practice.  Hew was unmarried and was about seventy-five years old. The body was forwarded this morning to his old home in Prince William county for interment.

Deed: Copin to Barnes (1866)

Deed:  Copin to Barnes
PWCo Deed Book 26, pg. 334

This Deed made the seventh day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six between Pamelia A. Copin of the first part and Jane W. Barnes col'd [colored] of the second part, both of the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia. Witnesseth that in consideration of the [sum] of eighteen dollars the said Pamelia A. Copin doth grant unto the said Jane W. Barnes (col) with general warranty, a certain lot or parcel of land situated in the said county, on the north eastern border of the land of the said Pamelia A. Copin, north of a certain branch and adjoining the land of Isaac W. Dans, and containing six acres. The said Pamelia A. Copin warrants that she has the right to convey the said land to the grantee; that she has done no act to encumber the said land, that the Grantee shall have quiet possession of the said land free from all encumbrances and that the said party of the first part will execute such further assurances of the said land as may be requisite.  Witness the following signature and seal

Pamelia A. Copin {seal}


State of Virginia
County of Prince William, to wit

I R. W. Wheat a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid in the state of Virginia do certify that Pamelia A. Copin whose name is signed to the writing above bearing date on the 7th day of Aug. 1866 has acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid. Given under my hand the 7th day of August 1866

R. W. Wheat  (j.d.)


In the Clerks Office of Prince William County Court October 12th 1866

This deed from Copin to Barnes with the certificate annexed was received in said office and admitted to record.

Teste M. B. Sinclair  Clerk

Society Saturday: Prince William Items: Rhoda Fewell

Alexandria Gazette
15 July 1876

On Sunday morning last Rhoda Fewell was arrested at Manassas by officer Wallace Hixson on the charge of assaulting his wife on the night previous. He was tried before Justices Whiting and L. B. Butler, who sent him to jail for 12 months and in addition imposed on him a fine of $50. He was taken to Brentsville on Sunday evening. On Tuesday, his counsel, C. E. Nicol, esq., obtained a writ of habeas corpus from the Judge of the County Court, which was heard at 4 p.m. on that day. The Judge, after hearing the arguments of counsel, released the prisoner on the ground that the Justices had no right to try a case on Sunday.  The Commonwealth was represented by the Commonwealth's Attorney, E. E. Meredith, es., assisted by Judge Sinclair. The Commonwealth's Attorney as soon as the prisoner was discharged had him rearrested for the same offence and brought before Justice A. W. Sinclair, who sent him on to the grand jury and put his bail at $500. Fewell was unable to give the bail and consequently was committed to jail. He is also under arrest upon a peace warrent sued out by Mrs. Fewell.


[Lucien "Rhoda" Fewell is probably best known for the infamous 1872 murder of James Clark at the Brentsville jail.  A Civil War veteran, some have theorized that Fewell's "anger management" issues were symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD"). ~cgl]

Amanuensis Monday: Will of Hebron Molair

Hebron Molair Will

Prince William County Will Book Q, Pg. 309

In the name of God Amen I Hebron Molair of County of Prince William in the state of Virginia, being of sound mind and memory and understanding do make this my last will and testament, in manner following, that is to say. – It is my will and desire that my just debts and personal expenses be paid out of my estate. I give and devise to my wife Rebecca Molair for the term of her natural life all my estate, real, personal, and mixed, except the devise hereafter made to George W. Molair of one Bay mare colt, to be held by her without impeachment of waste.

I give and devise to my son George W. Molair, one Bay mare colt.  After the death of my wife, it is my will and desire that the estate above devised to her for life shall be equally divided between my five children, namely George W. Molair, Frances E. Molair, James E. Molair, John L. Molair, and Leroy Molair and their heirs.  I hereby appoint George W. Molair, executor of this my will. In witness whereof I have hereinto subscribed my name this fourteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

Hebron [X his mark] Molair

Signed and acknowledged by the testator in presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in presence of each other have subscribed our names as

M. B. Sinclair

W. E. Goodwin

John Molair

At a court of quarterly sessions held for Prince William Count on the 5^th day of November 1855

This last will and testament of Hebron Molair dec’d was proved by the oaths of Mordecai B. Sinclair and William E. Goodwin witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of George W. Molair the executor therein named who made oath there to and together with Thomas R. Davis and James M. Sinclair his securities (one of whom Thomas K. Davis justified as to his sufficiency) entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $1500.00 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat[e] of the aid will in due form.

Teste, P. D. Lipscomb, clk

PWCo. Item: 14 January 1873

Alexandria Gazette
14 January 1873

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS. -- Mr. James Vowels, aged 72 years, died on the 25th of December, at the residence of Mr. Matthew Priest in this county. Mr. V. was a native of Talbot county, Md., but had been a resident of this county upwards of thirty years. He was a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, and probably the oldest member of that order living in the county. He was buried in the family burrying ground on the farm of Mr. Priest.

On the motion of Judge C. E. Sinclair a rule was entered against Mr. Geo. W. Jones by the Court, on Monday last, to show cause why he should not be removed from the office of constable, for having charged improper fees, Mr. Jones contends that the fees charged were proper.

Mr. Charles H. Whittington, telegraph operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company at this place, was taken down a few days ago with a severe attack of inflamatory rheumatism. Mr. H. S. Sneed of Gordonsville has taken his place until he gets able to resume his duties.

We learn that Mr.s Vanderhoof, the widow of a man by that name, who purchased a farm near Nokesville, about a year ago, is in very destitute circumstances, her husband having died leaving the widow and six children without support.

A man by the name of P. H. Smith, a resient of Monroe county, West Va., passed through here on Wednesday last in charge of three guards who were conveying him to the lunatic Asylum at Weston, West Va.,

Messrs. Nicol and Hunton, commissioners, sold on Monday last in front of the court house, 200 acres of land, a portion of the homestead of Seymour Lynn, near Independence Hill, to Burress Norman for $4 per acre.

Messrs. Sinclair and Nicol, commissioners, sold on Monday last four lots of land, each containing half an acre, of the estate of the late James Purcell, to Jas. R. Purcell for the sum of $399.50.

Mr. M. M. Roseberry who has been confined by sickness for the past three months at his home near Brentsville, is we are glad to report nearly recovered and will soon be out again.  -- Manassas Gazette

Sunday's Obituary: Kate (Sinclair) Latimer

Free Lance Star (Fredericksburg, VA)
30 March 1901

Mrs. Kate Latimer, who died in Prince William county Monday, was buried at the Manassas cemetery Wednesday.  She was the only daughter of M. B. Sinclair, for many years clerk of the courts of Prince William county.

.

Sunday's Obituary: Thomas Owen Taylor

Sun (Baltimore, MD)
28 January 1911

EX-MAYOR T. O. TAYLOR DEAD

Prominent Manassas Citizen Expires Suddenly at Home

Manassas, Va., Jan. 27. - Mr. Thomas Owen Taylor, a retired merchant, and former Mayor of Manassas for several successive terms, died of apoplexy at his home here late last night.

Mr. Taylor, who had been in feeble health for some time, left his home shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon for a walk to the post office.  After proceeding about half a block he turned back, reentered his home and, within a few moments, was stricken with apoplexy while seated in a chair. He never regained consciousness, dying seven hours later.

Former Mayor Taylor was the son of the late Joseph D. and Francis Housean Taylor, of upper Prince William county, Virginia. He was born October 12, 1834. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was in Texas and joined the Fifth Texas Infantry. Coming to Virginia with his command, he was in the battles of Seven Pines, the Wilderness and the Seven Days' fight around Richmond. Later he was a surgeon's assistant in Chimborazo Hospital, Richmond.

In 1868 he married Miss Anna Mary Smith of Baltimore. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Alfred Al Curtis, later Bishop Curtis, in Mount Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his wife and six children - Mrs. Alice A. Hutchinson, of Loudoun county, Virginia; Mr. T. Ramsay Taylor, of Norfolk; Miss Anna Selina Taylor, Mrs. Robert M. Weir and Mrs. C. Armistead Sinclair, of Manassas, and Mr. B. Conway Taylor, of Baltimore.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow at Trinity Episcopal Church and burial will be in the Manassas cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Dr. C. R. C. Johnson, Messrs. George C. Round, G. Raymond Radcliffe, H. F. Button, and W. Parker Wilson.

A s a mark of respect the public schools of Manassas were closed this afternoon.

Will: Margret Fairfax (1853)

Will of Margret Fairfax

PWCo Will Book R, pg. 3

I Margret Fairfax of the county of Prince William and State of Virginia, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows, I desire that all my just debts & funeral expenses be paid out of my perishable property.

I give to my daughter Susan Simpson all that tract or parcel of land on which I now reside formerly the land belonging to Hezekiah Fairfax dec’d, and all my household and kitchen furniture, during her life, and at her death, there to her heirs forever. Given under my hand this 5^th day of February 1853.

Margret Fairfax

Teste,

Geo. Weedon

Matthew Priest

Matthew Davis

At a Quarterly court held for Prince William county November the 6^th 1866

    This last will and testament of Margaret Fairfax deceased was proved in open court by the oath of George Weedon and Matthew Priest two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.

Teste,

M. B. Sinclair clerk

Will: Margaret G. Roach (1858)

Margaret G. Roach Will

Prince William County Will Book R pg 132-133

I Margaret G. Roach of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory and desiring to dispose of my property, do hereby make my last will and testament in the manner and form following; that is to say 1^st I give and bequeath to my nephew John William Larkin, and to my niece Penelope Victoria Larkin all my estate, both real, personal, and mixed, to be equally divided between them to have and to hold the same to them and their heirs forever, and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint George W. Larkin executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 5^th day of May in the year 1858.

Margaret G. Roach {seal}

Signed, sealed, published and declared by Margaret G. Roach as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us, who at her request and in her presence have subscribed our names as witnesses.

Thos. W. Beedle

John Langyher

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for the Count of Prince William on the 2d day of August 1858.

This last will and testament of Margaret G. Roach deceased was proved by the oaths of Thomas W. Beedle and John Langyher, witnesses thereto, and is ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of George W. Larkin the executor therein named who made oath thereto and together with Edwin Gaines and John Y. Cundiff his securities (who justified as to his sufficiency) entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $600.00, conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a pr___r of the said will in due form.

Teste,

M. B. Sinclair clerk 

Military Monday: Decoration Day

Sun (Baltimore, MD)
12 June 1875

Gordonsville, Va., June 9, 1875.  -- The graves of the Confederate dead buried here were strewn with flowers to-day by the ladies of the Mt. Lee Memorial Association. The members of the association and visitors met in the Southern Methodist Church, a very handsome building, where Judge Charles E. Sinclair of Prince William county delivered the memorial oration.  Judge Sinclair was introduced by Hon. B. Johnson Barbour, of Orange, who opened the ceremonies with a few appropriate remarks. After the oration a procession was formed, each person carrying a basket of flowers, and marched to the cemetery about a mile from town, where, without further ceremony, an hour was spent in decorating the graves of the sleeping heroes.

This cemetery has been laid out and the dead reinterred there in the past few months. It is [e]nclosed with a substantial picket fence, with a very neat arched entrance. It contains the bodies of six hundred and eighty-five, most of whom died in the hospitals here from wounds received in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville and Trevillians. Each grave is marked with a cast iron head board, made in the shape of a shield, upon which are the letters "C.S.A.," crossed cannons, and the number corresponding with the list of the dead.

Wednesday's Child: Arthur William Sinclair / Infant Male Free

Alexandria Gazette
2 December 1844

On Wednesday morning, the 20th November, at Brentsville, Prince William county, Va., after a short but painful illness, ARTHUR WILLIAM, son of M. B. and Margaret Sinclair, in the 7th year of his age.





Manassas Journal
7 January 1921

BURIAL OF INFANT

The infant son of Mr. W. R. Free, jr., died at Nokesville last Friday of spinal meningitis.  The remains were brought here Sunday and interred in the town cemetery, the Rev. William Stevens officiating at the burial services.

Deed: Pinn to Stokes (1868)

Deed - Pinn to Stokes

PWCo. Deed Book 26, pg. 609

This indenture made and entered into this seventh day of April one thousand eight hundred and sixty eight between Howson Pinn and Patty his wife of the one part and Warner Stokes of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Howson Pinn & wife to for and in consideration of the sum of forty five dollars in hand paid by the said Stokes to the said Pinn, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, alined, and conveyed, and by these hereunto do grant, bargain, sell, aline, and convey unto the said Warner Stokes with general warrantee the following lot of land lying being situate in the County of Prince William and bounded as follows, to wit. Beginning at Howson Pinn’s NW corner there south four and one half degrees west thirty one rods & twelve links to a stake then south eighty five and one half degrees east, seventeen & one half rods to a stake, thence north four and one half degrees east twenty three rods to B. H. Lewis line, thence N forty seven degrees west by said Lewis line, nineteen rods to the bound begun at containing three acres. Together with all the privileges and appurtenances to the same in any wise appertaining or belonging. To have and to hold the above granted premises and appurtenances unto the said Warner Stokes, his heirs & assigns forever, as witness the following signatures and seals.

Howson (X his mark) Pinn {seal}

Patty (x her mark) Pinn {seal}

Witness

H. E. Pinn

State of Virginia County of Prince William to wit:

We W. L. B. Wheeler and Crawford Cushing Justices of the Peace for the County of Prince Wm. In the state of Virginia do certify that Howson Pinn and Patty Pinn whose names are signed to the within writing bearing date on the seventh day of April 1868 have acknowledged the same before us in our county aforesaid and we further certify that Patty Pinn the wife of Howson Pinn whose names are signed to the within writing was examined by us privately and apart from her husband and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to her she the said Patty Pinn acknowledged the said writing to be her act and declared that she had willingly executed the same and does not wish to retract it. Given under our hand this 14^th May anno domini 1868.

W. L. B. Wheeler J.P.

Crawford Cushing J.P.

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince Wm. County June __ 1868.

This Deed from Pinn & wife to Stokes with certificate annexed was presented to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste. M. B. Sinclair Clerk

[Howson/Howison Pinn was a free man of color and land owner who lived near the Bethlehem Meetinghouse.  He is buried beside his wife in the Pinn Family Cemetery in Manassas. ~cgl]

Newspaper Tidbit: Prince William Township Officers

Alexandria Gazette
31 May 1873

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

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

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

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

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