Newspaper Tidbit: Letters to the Editor / Ebenezer Baptist Church (1932)

Manassas Journal (Va)
15 December 1932

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Young folks at Haymarket send their messages to Santa, and the Editor reprints a few.

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I try to be a good boy. I am seven years old. Will you please bring me a drum? I do not want much this Christmas. Give my love to Mrs. Santa.  ~ William Clem.

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be very good this year. I am seven year old. I want a bicycle and football if you can bring them. ~ Your little boy, John Sloper.

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be a good little girl. I hope you will bring me a doll baby. ~ Jean Schaeffer

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I try to be a good girl. I am seven years old. I hope you will bring me some toys. I want a book and a pair of gloves. That is all this time.  ~ Betty Thomas

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I go to Haymarket School. I am in the second grade. Please bring me a bicycle. This is all I want this Christmas. Give my love to Mrs. Santa. ~ Your little boy, Shirley Jacobs

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I tried to be a good girl. I am nine years old. I go to Haymarket School. I would like to have a doll baby and a set of dishes this Christmas.  ~ Maria King

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have tried to be a good girl. I am seven years old. Please bring me a doll and some dishes.  ~ Anne Lightner

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Haymarket
Dec. 2, 1932.

Dear Santa Claus:
   I have been a good boy, so please bring me a bow and arrow. I am seven years old. That is all I want this time. Good by, dear Santa Claus.  ~ John. T. Carter, Jr.

~~~~~~~~~     ~~~~~~~~~    ~~~~~~~~~

The Manassas Journal,
Manassas, Va.
Sirs!

     Allow me to thank our white friends for the help they so beautifully gave to Ebenezer Baptist church, Occoquan, Va. From the appeal you published in your paper over four years ago. Am glad to say the A.B.P. Soc. sent us 25 copies of the New Testament and 25 hymn books, and other literature.
     The Lend a Hand Society of Boston, Mass., sent two boxes of books. These have been distributed among four Sunday schools.
     It is my desire to thank the friends of Occoquan, Va., Brentsville, Va., Manassas, Va., Conklin, Loudoun Co., Va., Dist. Work House, Reformatory and Alexandria, Va.
     Trusting all may have a very Merry Christmas and Most Prosperous New Year.
     The church hasn't been finished. The insurance is $2,500.
     My sight having failed, I retire from pastoral work after 63 years and 8 months of services. I pray God's blessing upon all and ask the prayers of all friends.

Yours most sincerely,

L. H. BAILEY,
Ex-Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Occoquan, Va.

Will of Rev. John Towles

Will of John Towles
PWCo. Will Book T, pg. 538
Proved: 16 June 1885

I John Towles minister of the Lord Jesus Christ to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God being of sound mind do make this my last will and testament this the 16th day of July Anno Domini 1872 My soul I commend to God in the faith of the Gospel and in the hope of a blessed resurrection of my body.

All my estate real and personal I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sophronia E. Towles during the term of her natural life, and I hereby do appoint her my sole executrix, without security, to manage my estate to the best of her judgment for the benefit of my creditors for her own benefit, and that of our beloved children. Such portion of my estate as shall be left open after the payment of all debts, and as she shall see fit not to distribute to our beloved children during her natural life, but to hold in her posession and for her use up to the time of her death, I will after her decease to be equally divided between my three beloved children, Ella Towles, Churchill Towles and Leroy C. Towles. 

Witness my hand and seal, this the day and date first above written.

John Towles {seal}

Test:
John Manning
Albert M. Claggeth
G. S. C. Thomas


Prince George County Sct: June 16th 1885

Then came Albert M. Calgeth, one of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of John Towles late of said county deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he did see the testator therein named sign and seal said will, that he heard him publish, pronounce, and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehension of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding and capable of executing a valid deed or contract, that he together with George S. C. Thomas one of the other subscribing witnesses now deceased subscribed their names as witness thereof in the presence of the testator at his request, and in the presence of each other.

Sworn before A. G. Davey, Register of Wills


State of Maryland, Prince Georges County Sct:

I Alonzo G. Davey Register of Wills for Prince Georges County in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that the aforegoing is a true copy of the last will and testament and probate thereof of John Towles late of said county duly now of record in my office.

In Testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of the Oprhans Court of the aforesaid county this 16th day of June A.D. 1884.

Teste, Alonzo G. Davey, Register of Wills for Prince Georges County, MD {Seal}


Maryland Sct:

I Charles Clageth chief judge of the Orphans Court of Prince Georges County, in the State aforesaid, certify that the aforegoing attestation of Alonzo G. Davey, Register of Wills for said County, is in due form, and by the proper officer. Given under my hand at the town of Upper Marlborough this 16th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty five.

Charles Claggeth Chief Judge


State of Maryland Sct:

I Alonzo G. Davey Register of Wills for Prince Georges County in the state aforesaid do certify that Charles Clageth Esquire whose genuine signature is attached to the aforegoing certificate is and was at the time of signing the same, Chief Judge of the Orphan's Court of said County, duly commissioned and qualified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of the Orphan's Court aforesaid this 26th day of June A.D. 1885.

Alonzo G. Davey, Register of Wills


In Prince William County Court July 6th 1885.

An Authenticated copy of the true last Will and testament of John Towles decd was this day produced to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste, L. A. Davis   Clk

Legal Notice: Thomas v. Farrow (1850)

Alexandria Gazette
14 December 1850

MESSRS. George Dye and John Hore, survivors partners of the late firm of George Dye & Co -- Take notice, that on the 13th day of January, 1851, I shall proceed to take the deposition of Daniel Ratcliffe, at his office, in the city of Washington, between sunrise and sunset of that day, and on the 17th day of January, 1851, I shall proceed to take the deposition of Washington H. Norville, at his mill in the County of Prince William, between sunrise and sunset of that day; which depositions are to be read as evidence on the trial of a suit in chancery now depending in the Circuit Court of Prince William County, in which I am plaintiff, and you and Thomas M. Farrow, and Walker P. Conway, administrator of John M. Conway, jr., deceased, and Seymour Lynn, administrator of Samuel Tansill, deceased, are defendants; and the taking of said depositions, will respectively be continued, if necessary, from day to day, till they are both closed. --

Yours, &c.

WILEMAN THOMAS

Prince William county, dec 9 -- law4w

Sunday's Obituary: Andrew Murtaugh (1854)

Spirit of Jefferson (Charlestown, WV)
8 August 1854

FATAL ACCIDENT

We deeply regret to learn that a sad and serious casualty occurred at "Yorkshire" Prince William County, Va., on Thursday, the 20th instant. A party of men, consisting of Frank McMann, Andrew Thomas, James Murtaugh, and Charles Mulholland, all residents of this county, were engaged in digging a well for Wilmer McLean, esq. and on the day in question a blast was made and before the smoke had evaporated one of the party (McMann) descended, but finding some difficulty in breathing he attempted to make his way out and when near the top he fell to the bottom, cutting and bruising himself quite severely.  Andrew Murtaugh immediately descended to his assistance, but he too was overpowered by the gas and fell; a third one who went down shared the same fate. A bucket was then filled with straw, fired, and let down, after which Mr. Mulholland descended, and he succeded in fastening them to a rope by which means they were drawn up.  Mr. Andrew Murtaugh died on Thursday night; but we are glad to learn that the others are rapidly recovering. 

Sunday's Obituary: Lucinda Thomas

Manassas Journal
7 February 1935

Lucinda Thomas, an aged and highly respected colored woman, died suddenly Saturday evening, Feb. 2, at her home near Waterfall.

Aunt Sindy, as she was generally called, was born eighty-nine years ago, a slave, in the family of Cassius Foley of Waterfall. She was one of those rare types seldom seen, a genuine product of the Old South, loyal to her white folks all through the years whom she respected and loved devotedly. She was a widow for many years, and most of her large family had passed away, yet time dealt kindly with her, retaining all of her faculties until the end. It was indeed a treat to visit her neat little cottage for a chat with "Aunt Sindy" and one came away seeming in some way glorified. We grieve that she is no more.

Wedding Wednesday: Abel/Leary

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
28 May 1889

MARRIAGE LICENSES -- Marriage licenses have been issued by the clerk of the court to

Wm. J. Kenney and Mary E. Hager;
W. H. Spriggs and Roberta Bryan;
George Dean and Johanna Taylor;
John Murray and Rebecca Thomas;
W. H. Johnson and Mary L. Moreland;
C. W. Richardson and Amy E. Small;
Moses F. Smallwood and Alice Pinkwood;
Chas. Watts, of Charles county, Md., and Anna Ross;
Chas. Duvall Decker and Effie Miranda Bennett;
Wallace W. Abel, of Prince William county, Va., and Edith G. Leary of Fredericksburg, Va.; 
Charles Bell and Fannie Carlton;
Charles A. Lasalle of Chicago, Ill., and Lizzie B. Litchfield;
Henry B. Chapman and Mary Alice Jones.

Will: John Woodyard, Sr. (1795)

JOHN WOODYARD Will

Prince William County Will Book H, pg. 154

4 Nov 1795; proved 7 Dec 1795

Prince William County and State of Virginia, the 4^th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five I JOHN WOODYARD Sen. of the County and State aforesaid being very weak of body but of perfect mind memory and understanding thanks be to God for the same calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die do give and recommend my body to be buried in Christian decent burial at the discretion of my Executors, and my Soul to God who gave it me nothing doubting but at the General resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God and as touching such worldly estate, wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give, devise and dispose of in the following manner and form Viz.

Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my twelve children hereafter named, Viz. JAMES WOODYARD, DAVID WOODYARD, BENEDICTER WOODYARD, JOHN WOODYARD, JANE SMITH, WALTER WOODYARD and my other six children by ANN THOMAS Viz. MARY, JEBEZ, WILLIAM, SUSANNAH, GOERGE and JESSE, all my Estate, consisting of horses, cattle, sheep and other stock, goods, and chattels, after all my just debts and funeral expenses are fully satisfied, the above goods, stock and money or outstanding debts of every kind to be collected and all equally divided, among my twelve children above named by my Executors to them and their heirs forever.

Item ANN THOMAS is to have her bed she brought, her side saddle, lume, and other articles in my possession she brought into my family as her sole right and property, also ANN THOMAS is to remain if she inclines to live there, on my lots leased of COL. THOMAS BLACKBURN, the lives to come in the said lease, being my own life, my son JAMES WOODYARD and JOHN WOODYARD, if she should incline to leave the said lott my son JAMES to have and hold the same until the time expires or his heirs and sell and dispose of the same as best suits them.

Lastly, I constitute and appoint JAMES WOODYARD my oldest son, and GEORGE STONE, sole Executors of this my last will and testament , revoking and disannulling all former wills, testaments, legacies and requests, in Witness whereof I, the date above, and in the presence of the subscribing evidences of affixed my hand and seal.

JOHN [his mark] WOODYARD  {seal}

Interlined before signed.

Signed, sealed and delivered in presents of

GEO. RAINIE

JANE BIRD

HENRY WOODYARD

At a Court held for Prince William County the 7th day of December 1795

This Last Will and Testament of JOHN WOODYARD decd. was presented to the Court by the Executors therein named, who made oath thereto, and the said Will being proved by the oaths of GEORGE RAINIE, JANE BIRD and HENRY WOODYARD was ordered to be recorded and the said Executors having performed what is usual in such cases, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste

JOHN WILLIAMS  Ct. Cur.

Wedding Wednesday: Foley/Combs (1895)

The Evening Star (Washington, DC)
November 23, 1895

A very pretty wedding took place at the residence of Mrs. S. F. Yates of Georgetown, D.C., on the night of November 20.  The contracting parties were Mr. Enoch F. Foley of Waterfall, Prince William county, and Miss Janie L. Combs of Mountain View, Fauquier county, Va., the ceremony being performed by the Rev. W. S. O. Thomas of Gay Street Baptist Church, Georgetown, D.C.  The bride wore a handsome dress of changeable silk, with pearl ornaments, and carried a bouquet of white chrysanthemums.  The flower bearer, Phoebe Moffet, a little miss of five years, attired in a gown of white tulle, carrying a bouquet of the same flowers, preceded the couple to the strains of Mendelsshon's wedding march.  The ceremony was performed under a bower of chrysanthemums, after which a reception was held from 8 until 10.  Mr. and Mrs. Foley left Thursday for their future home in Prince William county, Va.

Sunday's Obituary: Maggie Priscilla Beavers (1914)

Manassas Democrat
September 17, 1914

DEATH CLAIMS MRS. MAGGIE P. BEAVERS

Was Second Victim of Typhoid

Interment in the Cemetery at Woodbine Last Sunday - Her Husband and Four Children Survive Her

Typhoid fever claimed its second victim here last Friday when Mrs. Maggie Priscilla Beavers, wife of Levi Beavers, died at her home on East Street.

For several weeks she had been very ill with the fever and the contributory cause of her death, tuberculosis, so weakened her condition as to make impossible her recovery.  Mrs. Beavers was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas, of this county, and was thirty-three years old.  She is survived by her husband and four children.  The funeral was held last Sunday afternoon at Woodbine church, a few miles from Manassas, and the remains were interred in the cemetery at that place.  This death took place within a few yards of the home of D. J. Myers, whose family is now convalescent of fever, and in the vicinity where most of the cases in Mnaassas are located.

Military Monday: Chosen for Service (Drafted)

Manassas Journal
August 31, 1917

CHOSEN FOR SERVICE

The following is a list of persons who claimed no exemption, who have been duly and legally called for the military service of the United States, and who have not been exempted or discharged:

858	Chas. F. Milstead, Occoquan
331	Dan Harris, Bristow
492	Owen J. Thomas, Neabsco
715	Arthur W. Leith, Manassas
349	John Reedy, Bristow
102	Harry R. Buckley, Haym'k't
875	Arthur L. Colbert, Manassas
714	J. W. Willcoxon, Manassas
808	W. M. Johnson, Jr., Manassas
285	Parker Williams, Nokesville
563	William C. Hinton, Quantico
146	Harry W. Polen, Catharpin
843	T. J. Runaldue, Manassas
229	A. L. Lawler, Nokesville
410	Bernard Barnes, Independent Hill
299	E. C. Blackwell, Nokesville
58	Moss Jacobs, Thoroughfare
19	Raymond Duncan, Haym'k't
4	Robert George, Hickory Grove
115	R. D. Rector, Haymarket
832	L. M. Senseney, Manassas
872	John L. Hynson, Manassas
929	Sussex H. Smith, Manassas
91	C. C. Mayhugh, Gainesville
838	Carlyle B. Buck, Manassas
861	Martin O. Smith, Manassas
17	Richard Green, Haymarket
802	B. C. Williams, Manassas
378	David L. Whetzel, Bristow
619	Wm. Lucas, Featherstone
344	Killey Riley, Bristow
202	John W. Ellis, Nokesville*
164	L. J. Hoffman, Catharpin
883	Percy S. Haydon, Manassas
566	Samuel L. Sisson, Quantico
124	Mont. J. Peters, Haymarket
744	Ernest T. Evans, Manassas
---	E. S. Bullock, Wallingfod, Pa.
76 T	hos. H. Phillips, Bristow
945	Frank Green, Did not register until after July 10, and No. 945 was assigned to him by the adjutant general by letter Aug. 16-- the eleventh number drawn in the county

* Enlisted Columbus, O., barracks

Exemption claims filed by Jacob Edward Lee Cooper (280), Nokesville, and John Thomas Norman (838), Independent Hill, on the first call, have been allowed.  The following exemption claims, marked "under consideration" in the last report, have been denied:

933	Ernest E. Smith (col.), Wellington
792	Ashton W. Brooks (col.), Manassas
103	George W. Martin, Haym't
856	Wm. C. Powell, Manassas
168	Maurice L. Payne (col.), Catharpin

Marriage License: Lewis Thomas and Phebe (Gant) Thomas

This marraige license was Exhibit A in the 1921 Prince William County chancery case between Lewis Thomas and his wife, Phebe (Gant) Thomas. 

In his deposition, Lewis Thomas of "Water-Fall, Prince William County" notes that he is employed in the Sewer Department in Washington, DC, was married on March 6, 1897 in the city of Washington, DC, and that there are four children born of his marriage to Mrs. Thomas:  "Lewis, 22 years, William C. 20 years, Dorothy 17 years, and Bernice 10 years.  The children are "self supporting now, except the youngest and she is with her mother."