Will: John Sullivan Sr. (1849)

Will of John Sullivan Sr.
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 413
Proved: 4 June 1849

In the name of God Amen, I JOHN SULLIVAN Sr. of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia, being old in years and weak in body, but of sound mind & disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human live, also being desirous to dispose of all such worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with --- I give and bequeath the same in manner following.

    1st. It is my will and desire that my three children to wit CHARLES CRAVEN SULLIVAN, CATHARIN SMOOT and ANN SULLIVAN, shall remain upon my farm during their natural life.

    2nd. That if my son CHARLES C. SULLIVAN should die before his sisters, that his portion of the sd. farm and what personal property he should possess at his death shall be equally divided between his sisters CATHARIN and ANN or their heirs, but should he survive both of them that my executor hereinafter named shall apportion him one third of sd. farm for his maintenance during his natural life and at his death to be disposed of as above stated, and act as his Guardian.

    3d. It is my will and desire that my farm shall belong to my three above named children to them and their heirs forever, reserving the right to my daughters to bequeath the same after the death of their brother. The said farm contains to the best of my recollection one hundred and forty two acres in two lots, it being purchased seperately as appear by reference to the clerks office embrachesing houses orchards & ____.

    4th. I give to my daughter CATHARIN SMOOT one bed, bedstead & furniture, one cow & calf one shot gun, 1 spining wheel & one griddle & walnut chest.

    5th. I give to my daughter ANN one bed, bedstead & furniture, one cow & calf, one sorrel mare & cart one clock, one walnut chest & one pine one walnut folding table, one flese wheel & cupboard.

    6th. I give to my son CHARLES C. SULLIVAN one bed, bedstead & furniture, one b[l]ack walnut chest and all my wearing apparel. 

    7th. I give to my grandson WILLIAM H. SMOOT one bed, bedstead & furniture & one cow.

    8th. I give to MATILDA HARRISON one bed, bedstead & furniture.

    9th. It is my desire that my executor shall divide or give to each of my children, grandchildren & Matilda Harrison the several articles of personal property as above devised to them.

    10th. I desire that the balance of my personal property not herein named be sold by my executor and after paying my burial expenses and just debts, the balance be equally divided by him between my four children CHARLES C., CATHARIN, ANN, & JOHN SULLIVAN JR.

    And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend JESSE E. WEEMS executor of this my last will & testament, hereby revokeing all other former wills or testaments by me heretofore made and the County Court of Prince William shall not require security of him my said named executor. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 16th day of December 1848.

JOHN SULLIVAN SENR. {seal}

Signed, Sealed, published & before us for the last will & testament of the above named John Sullivan Senr. 

OBED CORNWELL
SILAS K. CORNWELL
JAMES CORNWELL

In Prince William County Court June 4th 1849

This last will & testament of JOHN SULLIVAN SENR. decd. was presented to the Court, proved by the oaths of OBED CORNWELL, SILAS K. CORNWELL & JAMES CORNWELL, subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded & JESSE E. WEEMS the Executor therein named came into Court & renounced the burthen of the executor thereof. And on the 5th day of June 1849 Administration with the will annexed, on the estate of JOHN SULLIVAN SENR. decd. is granted to JOHN SULLIVAN JR. who came into Court & took the oath prescribed by law & entered into & acknowledged a bond with security according to law.

Teste,   J. WILLIAMS   C.C.

Deed: Cornwell to Lynn (1849)

Deed: Cornwell & Wife to Lynn &c.
PWCo Deed Book 20 pg. 302

This Indenture made __ day of June 1849 between Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell (his wife) of the county of Prince William & State of Virginia of the one part and Levi C. Lynn & James Norman of the same county & State of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Silas K. Cornwell and Catharine Cornwell for and in consideration of the sum of Forty Dollars to them by the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman in hand paid, the receipt whereof that said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell doth hereby acknowledge, hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents, doth, grant, bargain, sell & convey unto the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman, their heirs and assigns forever a certain parcel of land supposed to contain Five Acres, lying and being in the county of Prince William, and adjoining the land of Jno. Sullivan Jr. John Keys & William Goodwin Sr. being a part of the land allotted to Sarah C. Calvert from her Father's Estate. To have and to hold the said parcel of land with the appurtenances thereto belonging to them the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use & behoof of the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs & assigns forever.  And the said Silas K. Cornwell and Catharine Cornwell for themselves, heirs executors & admr. doth here covenant & give to & with the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs and assigns forever that they the said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell and their heirs the said parcel of land with its appurtenances unto the said Levi C. Lynn & James Norman their heirs & assigns forever against them the said Silus K. Cornwell & Catharine Cornwell and their heirs forever and against all persons whomsoever and shall and will by these presents forever warrent and defend.  And witness whereof the said Silas K. Cornwell & Catharine hath hereunto set their hand and affixed their seal this 4th day of June and year before written.

Silas K. Cornwell {seal}
Catharine [X her mark] Cornwell {seal}

Prince William Cty to wit

Silas K. Cornwell this day came before us A. H. Saunders & C. E. Norman Justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify sd. acknowledgement to the clerk of the county court of Prince Wm. in order that it may be recorded and on the same day Catharine Cornwell wife of Silas K. Cornwell, who was examined separately and apart from her husband, and made a similar acknowledgement and request, and said it was he voluntary act, and that she did not wish to retract, Given under our hand and seals this the 4th day of June 1847.

A. H. Saunders {seal}
C. E. Norman {seal}

In Prince William County Court June 4, 1849

This deed from Cornwell & wife to Lynn &c. was presented to court with certificate annexed & ordered to be recorded.

Teste -- J. Williams  C. C.



["&c" is often used in land records as an abbreviation for et cetera, Latin for "and the rest." --cgl] 

Travel Tuesday: William J. Sullivan

Richmond Times Dispatch
8 October 1916

The court took favorable action yesterday on the petition of the Southern and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railways for a rehearing of the suit instituted against them in the Circuit Court of Prince William County by William J. Sullivan to recover damages for personal injuries alleged to have been sustained when the Southern train, on which he was riding, collided with the wreckage of a Chesapeake and Ohio train, near Bristow. In the lower court, Sullivan was awarded $6,000 damages.

Amanuensis Monday: Will: Samuel Beavers (1872)

Samuel Beavers Will

Prince William County Will Book S, pgs. 60-61

In the name of God Amen, I Samuel Beavers Senr. Of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia being of sound mind and memory, and considering this frail and transitory life, do therefore make ordain publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say first after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged residue of my estate real and personal, I give and bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit: To my beloved wife Anna Beavers the land and appurtenances thereof situated thereon, lying in the aforesaid State and county, near Occoquan River about five miles S.E. of Manassas now possessed by me, during the term of her natural life, and after her death to be divided between my two sons, Samuel Beavers and Harrison Beavers, the land to be divided equally. He Samuel Beavers retaining the portion he at present occupies. 

Harrison Beavers to have the other portion to wit the Homestead with provisions that the said Harrison shall remain with me & his mother in the discharge of his duty upon the farm, as heretofore during our natural lives and further if there should be any personal property left after paying all just debts, it is my wish that it should revert to my son Harrison Beavers provided he complies with the above conditions.

My other children to wit William Beavers, James Beavers, John Beavers, Mary F. Cornwell, Lydia Banks, Martha Mack, Eliza J. Wearing, Elizabeth Cornwell, I give and bequeath one dollar each.  I appoint and desire that my sons Samuel Beavers and Harrison Beavers shall act as Executors of the Estate. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed acknowledged my name and affixed my seal this 13^th day of June in the year of our Lord 1872.

Samuel [X his mark] Beavers {seal}

The said Samuel Beavers acknowledged this to be his last will and testament.

Attest.

L. C. Lynn

Jas. R. Sullivan

In Prince William County Court August 5^th 1872

This last will and testament of Samuel Beavers was this day presented to the court & being proved by the oaths of L. C. Lynn & J. R. Sullivan subscribing witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded.

Teste.

L. A. Davis     Clerk

Will: Ann Evans (1809)

ANN EVANS Will

Prince William County Will Book I, pg. 441

21 May 1809; proved 7 Aug 1809

In the name of God Amen this 21^st day of May 1809 I ANN EVANS of Prince William County & State of Virginia being very weak and sick of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God and calling unto mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is apointed for me to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, first recommending my soul to the Lord Jesus by whose merits alone I expect to be saved & my body to be returnd to its mother dust nothing doubting but I shall receive the same again by the almighty power of God, and as touching my worldly estate I give, devise and dispose of the same in the manner & form following Viz.

Item I give & bequeath unto my loving sister ELIZABETH SMITH a bond on MOORE HOFF for the sum of ten pound current money of the sad. State with the interest that may occur on the same.  Also a bond on JOHN SULLIVAN for the sum of twelve pounds with the interest occurring thereon and one trunk with the contents therein also my sidesaddle.

Item I give & bequeath unto my sisters daughter ELIZABETH SMITH a bond on my nephew WILLIAM SMITH for the sum of eighteen pounds with the interest occurring thereon, as one feather bed & furniture Viz.  I also constitute and apoint my sister ELISABETH SMITH Executrix of this my last testament utterly revoking, disalowing, disclaiming, & disanuling all and every other former wills confirming this only to be my last will & testament.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal the date above written.

ANN EVANS  {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of us

Teste

WILLIAM PEARSON

JAMES SMITH

At a Court held for Prince William County August 7^th 1809.

This last will and testament of ANN EVANS dec. was presented in Court by ELIZABETH SMITH the Executrix therein named, who made oath by the same according to law and the same being proved by the oaths of WILLIAM PEARSON and JAMES SMITH is ordered to be recorded and the said ELIZABETH SMITH having taken the oath of an Executrix and performing what is usual in such cases certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste

J.WILLIAMS  Ct. Cur.

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.

Church Record Sunday: Deed: Lynn to Trustees of Woodbine Baptist Church

DEED

Levi C. Lynn and Edna A. Lynn to Trustees of Woodbine Baptist Church

Deed Book 30, pgs 207-208

25 May 1875

This deed made this twenty fifth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy five between LEVI C. LYNN and EDNA A. LYNN his wife of the first part and LEVI C. LYNN, JOHN H. RENOE, GEORGE W. LOWE, CHARLES W. TEASDALE and AYLETT NICOL Trustees of the second part.  Witnesseth, that in consideration of the sum of Five dollars the said LEVI C. LYNN and Edna A. Lynn do grant unto the said Trustees herein before named with general warranty all that certain lot of land lying in Coles Magisterial District, Prince William County Virginia and bounded and described as follows.  Beginning at the corner of Mrs. MARY SULLIVAN’s land on the Post road from Manassas to Beulah, thence along said road southerly 70 yards to a stone, thence westerly parallel to Mrs. SULLIVAN’s line 70 yards to a stone, thence northerly with the road 70 yards to Mrs. SULLIVAN’s line, and thence easterly along Mrs. SULLIVAN’s line to the beginning, containing about one acre.  In Trust nevertheless, that the said Trustees will hold said property for the use and benefit of the Baptist Church (commonly called the “New School”) and that they will allow the proper authorities of said Church to use it for the worship of God in accordance with the customs and regulations of said Church and the laws of Virginia:  The being those confirmed by the Circuit Court of Prince William at the May Term thereof for the said church known as the “Woodbine” Baptist Church, said property to revert to the grantors or their heirs if it ceases to be used for the purposes expressed in the deed.

The said parties of the first part covenant that they have the right to convey said land to the grantees that they have done no act to encumber the said land: that the grantees shall have quiet possession of the said land, free of all encumbrances, and that the parties of the first part will execute such further assurances of the said land as may be required.

L. C. LYNN  {Seal}

EDNA A. LYNN {Seal}

State of Virginia, County of Prince William, to wit:

I, GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public for the County aforesaid, in the state of Virginia do certify that LEVI C. LYNN whose name is signed to the within writing bearing date on the 25^th day of May 1875 has acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid.  Given under my hand this 25 day of May 1875.

GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public

Pr. Wm. Co. Va.

State of Virginia, County of Prince William, to wit:

I, GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public for the County of Prince William in the state of Virginia, do certify that EDNA A. LYNN the wife of LEVI C. LYNN whose names are signed to the within writing bearing date on the 25 day of May 1875, personally appeared before me in the County aforesaid, and being examined by me privately and apart from her husband and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to her, she the said EDNA A. LYNN 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 my hand this 25 day of May 1875.

GEO. C. ROUND, Notary Public, Pr. Wm. Co. Va.

In Prince William County Court June 8^th 1875

This deed from LYNN & wife to Trustees of “Woodbine” Baptist Church with certificates annexed was presented to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste.

LUCIEN A. DAVIS, Clerk

Wednesday's Child: Benjamin Sullivan

Manassas Democrat
September 15, 1910

DEATH OF BENJAMIN SULLIVAN

Benjamin Sullivan, fourteen years old, died of typhoid fever Saturday afternoon at two o'clock at the home of his uncle, James Sullivan, near Canova, where he had been visiting.  He had been ill about two weeks.  The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from Woodbine church, the Rev. Carver (?) officiating.  Interment was in Woodbine churchyard.  He is survived by his father, A. L. Sullivan, and brother, Raymond Sullivan, of Washington.  He was a nephew of G. W. Bell, J. M. Bell, J. S. Bell and D. P. Bell of Manasas; Mrs. H. P. Young and Miss S. C. Bell of Manassas, and Luther Sullivan, of Blandsford Bridge.

[Benjamin L. Sullivan appears on the 1900 Coles District, PWCo census at age four living with his aunt and uncle, James and Salome Sullivan, and brother Raymond.  In 1910, he is listed as a boarder in Precinct 9, District of Columbia, in the household of Samuel F. Enterpin.  Although there is no headstone for Benjamin at Woodbine Church Cemetery, he is very likely buried near his uncle, James Sullivan. ~cgl]

Mappy Monday: Upper Independent Hill

Below is a snippet from the Library of Congress's copy of the 1862 Map of N. Eastern Virginia and Vicinity of Washington that shows some of the landowners of the day.  Copies of the full map can be ordered through the LOC.

Deed: Georgie LYNN, et al to Louisianna SULLIVAN

I thought this Deed was especially interesting because it mentions the half acre set aside for the Cole family cemetery in Independent Hill.  It also lists the "surviving heirs at law" of the will of Lawrence Cole (one of whom, Earl Lynn, is his grandson and my grandfather).

14 April 1933
GEORGIE LYNN, Et Al. To LOUISIANNA SULLIVAN

Prince William Co. Deed Vol. 109, pg. 268

This deed made this 14^th day of April, 1933, by and between GEORGIE LYNN, widow, ELIZABETH ASHBY, widow, MOLLIE HOWELL, and SAMUEL B. HOWELL, her husband, P.M. COLE and MAGGIE O. COLE, his wife, and EARL LYNN, parties of the first part, (the said Georgie Lynn, Elizabeth Ashby, Mollie Howell, P.M. Cole, and Earl Lynn being all of the surviving heirs at law of LAWRENCE COLE, deceased), and LOUISIANNA SULLIVAN, party of the second part:

WITNESSETH, that, for and in consideration of the sum of ten dollars to them in hand paid, and other valuable considerations, receipt whereof is here acknowledged, the said parties of the first part have granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey, with general warranty of title, unto the said party of the second part the following described lot or parcel of land, to-wit:

All of that certain lot or parcel of land lying and being situate in Coles Magisterial District, Prince William County, Virginia, adjoining the lands of Sullivan and Oleyar and being the second one-half acre of land referred to in the first paragraph of the will of the late Lawrence Cole, recorded in Will Book T Prince William County Clerk’s office; less and except, however, so much of the said one-half acre of land as is now fenced as a burying ground the same being a Lot 30 feet or acre.  The said parties of the first part reserve for themselves and their heirs the right of ingress and agree to and from the said lot that is excepted from this conveyance through the present entrance on the Independent Hill-Joplin Road.

Witness the following signatures and seals:

George Lynn (Seal)

Mollie Howell (Seal)

Samuel B. Howell (Seal)

Elizabeth Ashby (Seal)

P. M. Cole (Seal)

Maggie O. Cole (Seal)

Earl Lynn (Seal)

State of Virginia,

County of Prince William, to-wit:

I, R.C. Linton, (Justice of the Peace) in and for the county aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, do certify that Elizabeth Ashby, P.M. Cole, and Maggie O. Cole, whose names are signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date on the 14^th day of April, 1933, have acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.  My commission expires

Given under my hand the 31 day of October, 1933.  R. C. Linton J.R.

State of Virginia,

City of Alexandria, to-wit:

I, Virginia Reveley, a Notary Public in and for the City aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, do certify that Georgie Lynn, whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date on the 14^th day of April, 1933, have acknowledged the same before me in my City aforesaid.  My commission expires August 19, 1933.

Given under my hand the 3^rd day of June, 1933.  Virginia Reveley, N.P.

State of Virginia,

County of Elizabeth City, to-wit:

I, C.B. Markham, a notary public in and for the county aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, do certify that Earl Lynn, whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date on the 14^th day of April, 1933, have acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.  My commission expires Jan. 20, 1945.

Given under my hand the 21^st day of Aug., 1942.  C.B. Markham N.P.

State of California,

County of Los Angeles, to-wit:

I, J.M. Cassidy, a notary public in and for the county aforesaid, in the State of California, do certify that Mollie Howell and Samuel B. Howell, whose names are signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date on the 14^th day of April, 1933, have acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.  My commission expires

Given under my hand and notarial seal the 11^th day of July, 1933.  J. M. Cassidy, N.P.

Notary Public in and for the County of Los Angeles, State of California.  My commission expires Apr. 19, 1937.

NOTARY PUBLIC SEAL.

In the Clerk’s office of the Circuit Court of Prince William County, Virginia, August 24, 1942, this Deed from Georgie Lynn, et al to Louisianna Sullivan with certificate attached, was this day admitted to record at 2:40 p.m.

Leamon Ledman, Clerk

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