PWCo Items: 30 January 1860

Alexandria Gazette (Va)
30 January 1860

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS. 

Mathias Curl, son of Mr. Joseph Curl, was injured on last Thursday, by being thrown from a horse. The young man is in fair way of recovering.

A son of Mr. Robert Deats, while about to take his brother across Cedar Run, his horse stumbled and fell on him, stunning him for the time being, but we are pleased to learn, not seriously injuring him.

Arrangements are being made to commence the working of the gold mine recently discovered on the premises of Mr. Lebbens Ewell, situated about six miles south of Brentsville.

The Prince William Cavalry, under command of Capt. William W. Thornton, met in this place on Saturday last, for drill and parade. The company numbered about thirty men, on parade, and presented a very good appearance. 

-- Prince William Democrat

Sunday's Obituary: John W. Hall

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
13 August 1931

RITES FOR JOHN W. HALL

Special Dispatch to The Star

GAINESVILLE, Va., August 13. -- Funeral rites were conducted today for John W. Hall, 91 years old, prominent Prince William County citizen, who died Monday, following a brief illness. The deceased was a member of the Prince William Cavalry during the war between the States and was one of the oldest Confederate veterans in the county.

Services were held in the family home, with Rev. J. Royal Cook of the Greenwich Presbyterian Church officiating, while burial was in the cemetery on the place. The pallbearers were John Ellis, Douglas Cockerille, Shirley Reid, J. L. Mayhugh, Raymond Ellis and Frank Cockerille, all from the Gainesville and Greenwich communities, where the deceased had lived throughout his life.

Those surviving are two daughters, Mrs. T. M. Cook, Greenwich, and Mrs. Ernest Hoffman, Roanoke, and a grand-daughter, Mrs. Samuel Thornton of Washington.

Newspaper Heraldry: Thomas Chapman

Richmond Times Dispatch (Va.)
28 December 1913

Thomas Chapman, of Prince William County, married Susanna Ewell, daughter Major Bertrand Ewell, of "Buck Hall," Prince William County, and his wife, Francis Kenner, probably of the family of Rodham Kenner. She was born in 1735 and died 1795, her husband having been dead ten years (Thomas died in 1785). Susanna was seventh of nineteen children. By the will of Thomas Chapman, dated March 11, 1785, and recorded in Prince William County, he left following children: Thomas Carr, Charles Thomas Carr, Jennie Carr and Charles Ewell. They married as follows: Thomas Carr--SarahThornton (issue, Susan); Charles Thomas (born 1775) married Margaret Sarah Gadsby.

Wedding Wednesday: Conducted by Rev. John Towles

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
17 January 1843

MARRIED, On Wednesday, the 4th instant, by the Rev. John Towles, Dr. Cyrus C. Marsteller, of Haymarket, Prince William County, Va., to Miss Eliza Harrison, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Harrison, Chaplain United States Navy, Gosport.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
8 December 1843

MARRIED, On the 5th instant, in Dumfries, Prince William County, Va., by the Rev. John Towles, Dr. Francis C. Fitzhugh, of King George, to Miss Rosa Spence.

AlAlexandria Gazette
5 July 1847

MARRIED. At Lawnville, Prince William county, Va., on Tuesday, the 22d ultimo, by the Rev. Mr. Towles, John Tyler, of Upper Marlboro, Md., to Frances, daughter of Stuart Thornton of said county.

Alexandria Gazette
20 June 1848

MARRIED, On Thursday evening last, the 15th inst. by the Rev. Mr. Towles, Dr. John P. T. Fitzhugh, of Prince William county, Va., top Mrs. Elizabeth C. Stephenson, of Warrenton.

Daily National (Washington, DC)
3 May 1854

MARRIED, at Waverly (Va.) on the 27th instant, by Rev. John Towles, Dr. R. Stuart Lomax, of King George, to Jeannie, daughter of Frederick Foote, Esq., of Prince William county, Va.

Alexandria Gazette
3 August 1855

At Sudley, July 25th, by the Rev. John Towles, Dr. Thomas F. Tebbs, and Caroline M., daughter of Stuart G. Thornton, esq.

Alexandria Gazette
18 February 1857

MARRIED On Tuesday, the 27th of January, by the Rev. John Towles, Mr. Josiah Willcoxen, to Miss Julia E. Weir, all of Prince William County, Virginia.

Alexandria Gazette
25 October 1859

MARRIED. In St. Paul's Church, on Tuesday, the 11th inst., by the Rev. John Towles, Mr. Lucien A. Larkin, of this city, to Miss Sallie J., daughter of the late Capt. P. Norvill, of Prince William county, Va.

Newspaper Tidbit: Enjoyable Reunion

Manassas Democrat
11 July 1912

ENJOYABLE REUNION

A most enjoyable and successful family reunion was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Wenrich on Grant Avenue last Sunday. The occasion was in honor of the happy young bridal couple, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Wenrich, who had returned home late Saturday evening from their interesting trip. A royal welcome awaited them and the Wenrich family again demonstrated their genuine Southern hospitality.

Those present were: Judge and Mrs. J. B. T. Thornton, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Hibbs, Misses Kath and Margaret Hibbs, Master Franklin Hibbs, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson N. Wenrich and little daughter, Winnie, Misses May and Evelyn Wenrich, of Manassas; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Weber, Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Klep and Miss Holer, of Washington; Rev. J. K. Efird. of Saddle River, N.J.; Mr. Thomas Watkins, of Alexandria and Mrs. White, of The Plains.

Those Places Thursday: Belleview Female Seminary

Alexandria Gazette
15 December 1835

BELLEVIEW FEMALE SEMINARY,
Prince William County, Virginia,

Is situated near a good turnpike road, 30 miles from Alexandria, 45 from Fredericksburg, and 4 north of Haymarket, and between farms of Stuart G. Thornton, Esq. and Dr. Charles B. Stuart. The situation is one of the healthiest in Virginia.

MRS. MAXWELL, grateful for the encouragement she has received since opening the above, begs leave to inform her friends and the public, that she has made arrangements for the reception of an additional number of young ladies as boarders. Every attention shall be paid to their manners, morals and general improvement. Mrs. Maxwell has had several years experience as a teacher, and her system has been approved in Europe and N. America, as being eminently calculated for the attainment of a solid, useful, and polite education. 

References: Stuart G. Thornton, Esq., Dr. Charles B. Stuart, Snow-Hill, Prince William County; Hon. John Taliaferro, King George County; Mathew Carey, Esq. and Rev. Alexander McCoskry, Philadelphia.

Terms: Board and tuition in Writing, Arithmetic, English Grammer, Geography, with use of maps and globe, History Ancient and Modern, Mythology, Natural Philosophy, Needle Work, muslin, lace, rice, bead, rug, cloth and filagree work, per annum, payable quarterly in advance, $100. Bed and bedding $7. French $16. Music, with use of piano, $24. Day pupils in all the English branches, with works, $16. -- Junior class $12. Embroidery per quarter $8. Shell and Wax work each do. $6. Oriental, Mezotinto, Velvet and Satin Painting, each do. $6. Drawing do. $6.

Belleview, near Haymarket, Dec. 15, 1835.

dec 15 - 2aw3w

PWCo Item: 10 July 1873

 Alexandria Gazette (Va)
10 July 1873

Letter from Prince William
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

BRENTSVILLE, PRINCE WM. CO., July 9 -- Prince William, generally, celebrated the 4th as a holiday.  A pic-nic and tournament was held at Woodbridge, where everything passed off quietly, all enjoying themselves.  The charge to the Knights was delivered in eloquent and significant language by R. R. Farr, esq., of Fairfax C. H., and the coronation address by James Sangster, esq., in his usual effective manner and happiness of expression.  At Potomac City, there was a grand gathering from Maryland, Alexandria, Washington, Fredericksburg and other places; mirth and dancing were the order of the day.  At Bellfair Mills on the borders of Prince William and Stafford counties, the fair daughters and noble sons of the same counties mingled joyfully in the dance. After dinner all adjourned from the pavillion to witness the contest in the lists. The Knights were charged by J. J. Davies, of Brentsville. The coronation address, delivered by B. D. Suttle, esq., of Stafford, was welcomed by the contained plaudits of the spectators. Manassas was employed in giving a Sunday school celebration. The exercises at Nokesville have been already published in the Gazette.

Yesterday was the last term of our County Court under the present system. This being a grand jury term an indictment was found against  Chas. Tatum, colored, for assault and battery. There were no Commonwealth cases tried and but little of other business transacted.  

The report of the commissioners upon the proposed bridge at Occoquan was recommitted for further report on the 18th inst. 

A commission of Justices and Pysicians held a consultation on the condition of Jack Evans, colored, who has been confined in jail for some time for threatening to kill Z. A. Kankey, esq., of Neabsco Mill.  After some deliberation it was determined to send him to the asylum at Williamsburg or Stuanton.

There was a meeting held to nominate candidates to the convention to be held at Richmond in August. The following gentlemen were examined and promised to attend:  A. H. Feuchsel, Dumfries; Z. A. Kankey, Occoquan; Lawrence Cole, Coles; Maj. Thornton, Brentsville; B. F. Lewis, Manassas; and Maj. Hunter Johnson, Haymarket. 

J.

PWCo Items: September 16, 1872

Alexandria Gazette
16 September 1872

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS. - [From the Manassas Gazette] -- We were agreeably entertained on Thursday morning last by listening to a discussion which took place between a Grant man and a Greeley man, but the discussion terminated by the parties leaving politics and talking religion, and when we heard one of them asking the other whether St. Peter was living or not we got disgusted and quit.

The thermometer at Manassas on Sunday last at noon, at the residence of W. C. Merchant, esq., was 94, and the thermometer was placed in a position where the sun did not strike it.

James B. Sener, Radical candidate for Congress for this district and Dr. W. W. Douglass, Presidential elector on the Grant ticket, will speak at Occoquan on the 17th instant.

Elisha Chloe was sent to jail at Brentsville on Saturday last, accused of the murder of O'Brien, near Haymarket, over a month ago. We believe it originated from that worst of evils--whiskey. The accused has been in the jail at Warrenton for some time, as the murder was supposed to have been committed in Fauquier county, but upon a survey of the line, which divides the two counties, it was ascertained to have been committed in Prince William county.

Rain commenced falling about 9 o'clock Thursday morning, and continued until late in the night. At times it was very heavy, and the "oldest inhabitant" informs us that the showers, during the day, were the heaviest he ever witnessed at this place. The rain has materially effected the buckwheat, and the crop will be a good one. Our informant told us that he saw on the farm of Wm. E. Goodwin yesterday buckwheat at the heighth of ten feet.

Elisha E. Meredith, the Conservative canvasser for Prince William, has made the following appointments to address the people of this county; Independent Hill, Saturday, 21st September, 3 o'clock p. m. Manassas, Saturday, 28th September, 3 o'clock p. m., Brentsville, Monday, 7th October, 3 o'clock p. m. Occoquan, Saturday, 19th October, 3 o'clock p. m. Dumfries, Saturday, 26th October, 3 o'clock p.m.

Maj. Thornton is complimented by J. M. Owens, teacher, for the impartial manner in which he has managed the charge committed to his trust as county superintendent of schools. Maj. T. has endeared himself not only to every teacher of the county but also to the community at large by his liberal expression of sentiments upon the benign influence of the public school system all over the county.

There is to be a tournament at "Harrison's Crossing," between Burke's and Fairfax stations on Thursday, next.

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

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Items 2 April 1914

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
2 April 1914

GIRLS OF CANNING CLUB FEAST COUNTY OFFICERS

Serve Dinner to Show Appreciation of $300 Appropriation for Work

Special Correspondence of The Star

MANASSAS, VA, April 2, 1914.

At a meeting of the Prince William county board of supervisors yesterday at the courthouse here levies were fixed for the coming year and the usual bills were allowed. In appreciation of the appropriation of $300 recently made for the work of the girls' canning clubs the members of the board were entertained at dinner at the Manassas High School, the girls' canned goods featuring the menu. The guests were Palmer Smith of Gainesville, Commonwealth's Attorney Thomas H. Lion, County Treasurer J. P. Leachman and Supervisors J. F. Gulick of Manassas, J. L. Dawson of Occoquan, J. T. Syncox of Dumfries, T. M. Russel of Coles, J. P. Manuel of Brentsville and O. C. Hutchison of Gainesville districts.

Mrs. Anna Kosheba, thirty-eight years old, was found dead with a bullet wound in her throat Thursday at her home, on a farm near Independent Hill, this county.  Her two small children were with her. The father left her in good spirits that morning to begin his work in the fields. She was apparently of unsound mind and had threatened on several occasions to end her life. The coroner's jury rendered a verdict of suicide. She leaves her husband, Michael Kosheba, and four young children The family came from Hungary about sixteen yeas ago, settled in Pennsylvania and removed to this county in June, 1913.

The April term of the circuit court for Prince William county convenes here Monday, Judge J. B. T. Thornton presiding. The docket is said to be the longest known in many years.

The county school board held its regular semi-annual session Tuesday. Appropriations were made for prizes in the boys' corn clubs and for demonstration, work in the girls' tomato clubs. Supt. George G. Tyler was elected delegate at large to the school conventions. Corbin Thompson, D. J. Arrington and R. A. Rust were appointed a committee to ascertain what could be done toward obtaining the appropriation made by the last legislature for high school dormitories. A resolution was adopted asking of the county board of supervisors a levy of 20 cents on the $100 for county school purposes. At the board meeting yesterday the petition was presented and the levy granted.

Manassas Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, is to hold a silver tea Monday evening in the chapter room.  A program of readings and music will be rendered.  The proceeds will be applied to the Shiloh monument fund.

Sunday, May 3, has been designated as "go-to-church" Sunday in Manassas.

J. F. M. Palmer of Vienna, Fairfax county, has purchased the old Smith property, known as Newmarket, on the Sudley road. The property contains 114 acres.

Funeral services were held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Haymarket, Monday for William A. Buckley of Gainesville, this county, who died Sunday morning. The rector, Rev. Morris S. Eagle, officiated.

Tombstone Tuesday: J. B. T. Thornton (1857)

Dr. J. B. T. THORNTON

Son of 

Peter & Mary Taylor Thornton

Born

At Hunters Hill, Caroline Co.

Died

Near Brentsville

Sept. 5, 1857

Was for years member of the County Court of Prince William Co. & a portion of the time presiding justice of said court.

Amanuensis Monday: Deed: Beavers to Beavers (1903)

Deed: Beavers to Beavers
PWCo. Deed Book 52, pg. 89

This DEED, made this 1st day of September in the year one thousand nine hundred and three, between Lucian Beavers, of the County of Prince William, Virginia, of the first part and Albert R. Beavers, of the County of Prince William, Virginia, of the second part

WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the sum of fifty-one dollars, cash in hand paid by the said Albert R. Beavers at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said Lucian Beavers, party of the first part, does grant unto the said Albert R. Beavers, party of the second part, with General warranty, an undivided one-third interest in all that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situate in Coles Magisterial District in Prince William County, Virginia containing forty-two (42) acres, be the same more or less, and is the same land which was owned by the late Mrs. Nancy Petty and was devised by her to her daughter, Emily Beavers, during her life, and to the children of the said Emily Beavers, the said Lucian Beavers being one of three children left by her. The said tract of land being bounded on the South by the Brentsville-Independent Hill Road, on the west by Wheaten: and also joining the land of George Petty. The said Lucian Beavers covenant that L. has the right to convey the said land to the grantee; that L. 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 L., the said party of the first part, will execute such further assurance of the said land as may be requisite. Witness the following signature and seal.

Lucian {X his mark} Beavers (seal)

Witnesses

J. B. T. Thornton,
H. Thornton Davies


In the Clerk's Office of Prince William County, Sept. 1st., 1903.

This deed of Beavers was received, acknowledged by the grantors, and admitted to record.

Teste,

E. Nelson  Clk

Wedding Wednesday: Davies-Hibbs Nuptials

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
22 November 1901

DAVIES-HIBBS NUPTIALS

Trinity Episcopal Church at Manassas was the scene of  pretty marriage at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, when Miss Maidie Davies of Manassas, wedded Mr. E. Humphrey Hibbs, also of that place. The ceremony was performed in the presence of a large gathering of friends of the two families by Rev. W. H. K. Pendleton, the rector.

The bride was handsomely attired in a traveling gown and was given in marriage by her uncle, Mr. J. B. T. Thornton, member of the state constitutional convention from Prince William county. There was no bridesmaid nor best man. Messrs. J. Jenkyn Davies, Hawes Buckner Davies and William Willis Davies, brothers of the bride, and Mr. E. B. Giddings, the business partner of the groom, were the ushers.

Immediately after the ceremony the bride and groom left for the northern bridal tour. Upon their return they will reside in Prince William county.

Church Record Sunday: Prince William Auxiliary Bible Society (1829)

Alexandria Gazette
29 May 1829

PRINCE WILLIAM AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY

Brentsville, May 3d, 1829

   The Annual Meeting of the Prince William Bible Society appointed to be held on yesterday, having been prevented by rain, the members thereof, sufficient to proceed to business, assembled to-day in the Court-House; and, the President being absent, on motion, the Rev. Elias Harrison, of Alexandria, late Corresponding Secretary to the Young Men's Bible Society of Alexandria, who favored the Society with is presence, was called to preside over the meeting.  The following Report was then read by the Corresponding Secretary, and adopted:

REPORT

   The period fixed by the constitution of the Prince William County Bible Society for its Annual Meeting, and a Report of the Board of Managers, for the past year, having arrived, they beg lleave, respectfully, to present the following statement:

   In the first instance, its their duty to acknowledge the favorable circumstances under which they are permitted to meet together at this time, calling for the unreserved homage of their grateful acknowledgments to the Giver of all Good; and, although they are thus favored by their Divine Parent, they have to deprecate and lament the many deficiencies, on their part, in discharging those duties imposed upon them from the nature of their trust; but they, are nevertheless, encouraged to persevere, from the circumstances that they are not left wholly without hope of the ultimate success of the important work in which they are engaged. The means to perpetuate it are within their reach, and are attainable by proper management and renewed energies--which are alike indispensable to the accomplishment of all objects of importance. That Christianity has elevated the character of man, ,and blessed him, in the various relations he has sustained in this life, we presume will not be denied by many.  We must shut our eyes against the light of truth, if we do not yield implicit faith to the exalting virtues of our divine religion. We can, perhaps, form some estimate of its value and influence, by supposing that it had never shed its light and blessings upon us. -- What, then, would have been our condition, or the state of the world? In all probability, the gross darkness which benighted mankind int eh first ages, and, in some degree, now extends over our happy and beloved country, would have been perpetuated.  The "Star that attracted the curiosity of the Wise Men of the East," has become a sun of light to the  human race; and wherever its light reached, it has been the parent of civilization, of knowledge, and of virtue. Christianity being a revelation from God, recorded in the Bible, it must be obvious that we can never have a just and satisfactory view of its doctrines, unless we are possessed of the writings that promulgate them. In diffusing these sacred books, we, of course, render an all important benefit to our country; hence we should feel the importance of extending these lights to our fellow creatures of every condition, which would enable them to act correctly, and to appreciate justly the advantages and blessings we enjoy over every other nation, and above all, open the way to a state of unchangeable bliss.

   It gives them pleasure to state, that no occurrence has transpired, in the discharge of their duties, calculated to injure the cause -- They have endeavored to act upon what they conceive to be the spirit and intention of the constitution, and feel assured no instance can be adduced, in which secrarian feelings have had any influence in the discharge of their duties.

   Since the appointment of Managers, in the first instance, the names of Joseph A. Williamson and Wallace McCrea, Esqs. have been added to the list--the former to supply the vacancy, occasioned by the death of James Howerson, and the latter that of Dr. James B. C. Thornton, who has not rendered himself eligible by signing our constitution.

   As yet we have accomplished but little in the distribution of Bibles and Testaments, in consequence of inattention on the part of some of the Agents, and for the ant of time by the Treasurer to make collections and reports of the state of the funds. We have not the means of ascertaining, with any degree of accuracy, the number of persons destitute of the Scriptures within the county but, from the facts that have come to our knowledge, there is a much larger number than was anticipated.

   From the Treasurer's account, as audited, it appears that the sum of $25 have been laid out in procuring 14 Bibles and 70 Testaments -- nearly all of which have been distributed in various parts of the county by Agents appointed for that purpose. There remains, at present, in his hands the sum of $9 89 cents, to be laid out as heretofore; and the sum of $26 is yet to be collected from the list of the year now closed.

   Some remarks having been made by the Chairman, on the importance of the cause in which the members of the institution are mutually engages; the necessity of free expression of sentiment by the members, as to the most advantageous measures to be adopted; and the salutary effect of a resolution to go forward; and not to be content with small calculations, as to the work to be performed during the year upon which we had just entered--

On motion, it was
   Resolved, That the members of this institution will, in the course of the present year, if accompanied by the blessing of Providence, furnish each destitute family in the County of Prince William with a copy of the Holy Scriptures.

On motion,
   Resolved, That the constitution be so amended, that the annual meeting of this Society shall, in future, be held on the 4th Sabbath in March; at which time a delegate shall be appointed to attend the subsequent annual meeting of the Young Men's Bible Society of Alexandria.

On motion,
   Resolved, That we now proceed to the election of Officers for the present year.

Whereupon the following persons were duly elected:

   William J. Weir, President
   Richard Foote, 1st Vice President
   Francis T. Cheris, 2d Vice President
   Thomas R. Hampton,   Corr. Secretary
   Joseph A. Williamson, Treasurer
   Larkin N. Sanders, Recording Sec'y.

John S. Trone, George Washington Renoe, Robt. Latham, Bazil Brawner, James B. Ewell, Fitzhuh Carter, Joseph R. Lynn, Henry L. Lewis, George W. Fitzhugh, and Wesley Fitzhugh, Managers.

   Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be tendered to the President thereof, for his activity and zeal during the past year.

   And the meeting is adjourned.

Teste:  TH. R. HAMPTON, Cor. Secretary.

Friend of Friends Friday: John Underwood

Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts)

2 June 1859

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

For Governor.

Letcher, dem., 48

Goggin, opp., 70

For House of Delegates

Underwood, rep., 56

Lynn, dem., 42

Merchant, dem., 9

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Alexandria Gazette

4 May 1859

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

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

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

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

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

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

B. H. Harrison, Chairiman

J. B. Grayson, Secretary

Sunday's Obituary: Thomas Thornton

The Mail (Philadelphia, PA)
9 May 1792

On the 25th of March, in the town of Dumfries, in Virignia, departed this life, in the 76th year of his age, the Rev. Thomas Thornton, late Rector of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg.

In his sermons he was accurate and persuasive, more attentive to sense than sound; to elevation of sentiment than loftiness of, stile; expatiating on the evidences of Christianity, and strongly urging the practice of Christian virtues. He possessed a steady faith, benevolence, and unaffected piety. With the dignity of the minister, he associated the familiarity of the man; with the sentiment and manners of the gentleman, he united the mildness of the Christian; and was truly an ornament to human nature; his amiable qualities secured him universal respect, and his death is now the theme of general lamentation.

"At church with meek and unaffected grace,
His looks adorned the venerable place;
Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway,
And fools who came to scoff remain'd to pray."

Newspaper Tidbit: Politics: Jackson Corresponding Committee

United States Telegraph (Washington, DC)
22 April 1828

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



 

Sunday's Obituary: Williammina M. Thornton

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC)
29 October 1823

Died, at Dumfries, in Virginia, on Friday the 24th instant, Mrs. WILLIAMMINA M., consort of Dr. JAMES B. C. THORNTON, resident of that place.  The circumstances of the death of this truly amiable young lady, being only eighteen years of age, and having been but three months married, have excited an unusual sympathy among a very numerous acquaintance.  She has left a fond fathe rand many relatives and friends to deplore her loss; but who, to feel so severely the pangs of separation, as her affectionate and disconsolate husband? Under this afflicting dispensation of Providence, it will be a gratification to her friends to know that, more than twelve months since, she professed to have experienced a change of heart; and those who know her in private life, knew that she lived in the constant discharge of her religious duties, with a feverency of devotion that could alone have arisen from a heart influenced by the spirit of the most High.

Of manners gentle, and of form complete,
Fair without art, good without deceit,
Each grace, each virtue ripening into bloom,
Could  not avert the inevitable doom;
Death saw the flower when the stroke was given,
Too sweet for earth, and planted it in heaven.

Alexandria, 27th October, 1823

Newspaper Tidbit: Prominent Men of PWCo

Manassas Journal

10 September 1904

Hon. C. E. Nicol

Judge of the 16th Judicial Court

Capt. Jas. E. Herrell

Treasurer

Edwin Nelson

Clerk Circuit Court

R. H. Hooe

Commissioner of Revenue

District No. 1

Doctor H. M. Clarkson

Superintendent of Schools

Hon. W. C. Wagener

Mayor of Manassas

Hon. J. B. T. Thornton

Commonwealth's Attorney

Member of the late Constitutional Convention

Hon. Thomas H. Lion

Member House of Delegates

Hon. Wm. E. Lipscomb

Ex-Judge County Court

F. C. Rorabaugh

Sheriff

James M. Barber

Commissioner of Revenue

District No. 2

Wedding Wednesday: Nicol/Iden

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
November 21, 1912

Christ Episcopal Church was the scene of a brilliant wedding at 8 o'clock last night, when Miss Pauline Fauntleroy Nicol, daughter of Judge Charles Edgar Nicol of this city, became the bride of Dr. Benjamin Iden, Jr., of Manassas, Va.

The bridal couple entered the church to the strains of a wedding march, played by Mrs. Simpson of Washington.  The bride was accompanied to the altar by her father, by whom she was given in marriage.  Rev. William J. Morton, rector of the church, performed the ceremony.

The bride wore a gown of ivory-tinted charmeuse trimmed with Venetian lace and tulle caught with orange blossoms.  Her ornaments were pearls, and she carried a bouquet of bride roses.  Attending the bride was her sister, Miss Julia Nicol, who acted as maid of honor.  She wore white lace over green, an carried a bouquet of violet chrysanthemums.  The bridegroom had for his best man his brother, Dr. John Iden, U.S.N.

The bridesmaids were the Misses Lucille Smith and Marguerite Newhauser, Washington, D.C.; Janette Powers, Port Royal, Va.; Dellia Dudley, Washington, Va.; Nellie Uhler, Cora Jones, and Christina Kemper of this city.  They wore yellow with violet trimmings, and carried violet crysanthemums.

The groomsmen were Harvey Jacobs and Jack Harper, Washington, D.C.; Milton French, Jack Stevenson, Edmund Hunter, Aylet Nicol and Edgar Nicol.

The church was attractively decorated, the color scheme being yellow and violet, while the chancel was banked with palms.  A reception followed the wedding at the home of the bride, 316 North Washington street, after which Dr. and Mrs. Iden left for New York, where they will make their home for the winter.  Those present from out of the city were:  Mrs. J. B. T. Thornton, Manassas, Mrs. H. M. Dudley, Washington, Va.; Dr. John Iden, Manassas; Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Harper, Washington, D.C.; Judge and Mrs. Ashley M. Gould, Washington, D.C.; Mr. and Mrs. John Nicol, Manssas; Mr. A. T. Holtzman, Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Maude Rrazill, Newport, R.I.