In Chancery: Trustees of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church

Library of Virginia
Prince William County Chancery ID 1910-34

Gainesville, Va.
April 4th 1910

My dear George,

The enclosed transcription is part of the minutes of our Vestry Meeting on June 14th 1909 relating to our Church Trustees.  The question of having Trustees appointed to hold the Church property in the Parish was discussed, and as Mr. Thos. J. Chew was the only trustee living in the parish, Major A. H. Johnson having moved away, George G. Tyler was elected in his place and Mr. M. Cave was elected as the third Trustee.  The Secretary was directed to write to Major Johnson giving him the reason why it was desirable to have trustees living in the Parish.

On the 21st June 1909 the following was entered on the Minutes "Mr. C. E. Jordan was still a Trustee and on Motion Mr. Cave's name was withdrawn as one of those to be recommended to the Judge of the Court for appointment."

I hope the above is all Sufficient.

Yours sincerely,

ASE Thorp

In the matter of appointing trustees of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, at Haymarket, Prince William County, Virginia.

It appearing to the court by proper authority of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of Haymarket, Virginia, that George G. Tyler was elected in the room and stead of Major A. H. Johnson, resigned, as one of the trustees to hold legal title to said religious denomination's property, in conjunction with C. E. Jordan and Thomas J. Chew, therefore, it is ordered that George G. Tyler be, and he is hereby appointed trustee in the room of Major A. H. Johnson, resigned, to hold legal title to said denomination's property in conjunction with C. E. Jordan and Thomas J. Chew.

1910 April 11 Entered

Society Saturday: Independent Hill Items (21 December 1917)

Manassas Journal
21 December 1917

Independent Hill

An ice cream and box social will be held at Hayfield School tomorrow evening for the benefit of the School and Civic League. A very interesting program is to be rendered, including a popular girl contest. The young ladies are requested to bring boxes and cakes. The public is cordially invited to attend.

A party was given recently at the home of Mr. David Copen. Among the guests from this section were Mr. and Mrs. Philip Weber, Miss Lillian Garrison, Messrs. Earl Lynn, Austin Greenwood, Newton Sayers, Richard Thorp, Max Weber and Leslie Merritt.

Miss Lillian Greenwood has been visiting relatives in Washington.

Mr. John Norman has moved to Dumfries.

Miss Mary Weber, who teaches at Purcell, will spend the holidays with her parents.

Newspaper Tidbit: Independent Hill Items (4 May 1917)

Recently, a reader pointed out that I tend to post items to my blog that favor (a) the Lynn surname, (b) Brentsville, and/or (c) Independent Hill/Coles District.  That may well be true.  I try to cover the entire county and time periods, but I must admit to a certain bias toward all of the above.

In the case of the Lynn surname, that one's a bit obvious since it's who I hale from and the Lynn Family has been in the county since the early 1700's.  

Brentsville was the county seat for many years and there's a lot of history there worth noting.  The Brentsville Courthouse Historic Site was the first historic site I visited after I moved to the county (even before the Manassas Battlefield) and includes my favorite historic building in the county, the Brentsville Jail.   

As for the community of Independent Hill, that is where my grandfather, Earl Lynn, was born and where his parents and his ancestors lived during most of the 1800s/early 1900s.   Not surprisingly, I love coming across little "Local Items" in newspapers that give personality and depth to the lives of those who lived there. 

Manassas Journal
May 4, 1917

INDEPENDENT HILL

Mr. and Mrs. George Retzer, who spent the past winter in Baltimore with their daughter, Mrs. Graeff, have returned to Virginia and are visiting now at the home of Mrs. H. L. Hinton.

Mrs. George Lowe spent several days last week as the guest of Mrs. John Carter.

Mr. A. M. Yates, of Manassas was a visitor Sunday at the home of Mr. S. Long.

Mr. Carlton Hill, who attended Eastern College the past session has returned to his home to assist in putting in the spring crops.

Mrs. Nellie Keys has returned to Manassas, where she has been staying with Mrs. L. T. Bauserman.

Mr. Earl Lynn motored to Manassas Wednesday in his new motor car.

Mr. Clifton Storke spent a few days this week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Storke.

Hayfield School and Civic League will hold its regular monthly meeting Friday, May 11, beginning at 8 o'clock.  Addresses will be made by Supt. Charles R. McDonald and Hon. C. J. Meetze.  Music and readings will be contributed by Misses Myrtle and Annabel Merrill and Miss Hattie Simpson and Messrs. George Oleyar, R. L. Hinton and Richard Thorp.

Thriller Thursday: Victim a One-Armed Man

Harrisonburg Daily News (Harrisonburg, VA)
April 27, 1910

KILLED WITH ONE-INCH BLADE - Victim a One-Armed Man and Assailant Says Self-Defense

Manassas, Va., April 25. - Acting, as he claims, in self defense, Harry Thorpe, 30 years old, stabbed David Carter, 35 years old, to death with a penknife of which the blade used is but an inch in length.

The trouble occurred at a tenant house on the farm of T. N. Depauw near Haymarket.  Carter had but one hand, having a large hook suspended from the elbow, and Thorpe says the former attacked him, trying to strike him with the heavy hook.  Thorpe fled, was pursued and pressed, and drew the knife, stabbing his assailant just above the thigh severing a large artery, which caused the death of the man in a few moments, before medical aid could arrive.

Thorpe is in jail awaiting a hearing.

Harrisonburg Daily News
April 27, 1910

Will: John W. Davis

Will of John W. Davis

Prince William County Will Book U, page 303

Transcribed from Library of Virginia Chancery Case 153-1895-0023

This being my last will and testament, and I now being in sound mind, first I will that one hundred acres of my land off the west end of the farm including the John Layton house to be sold to pay my debts.  Second, I will to my wife Analentin F. Davis all the balance of the farm where I now reside.  I also will to my wife all of my household and kitchen furniture, also all my cattle, sheep, and hogs, and a one horse wagon, and all my personal property.

I will that my wife shall hold all the property as long as she remains my widow and at her death, then it is to be equally divided between my daughter Emma Thorp and my Grandson William Taylor.  And I appoint Elisha Meredith Executor of my estate, with the power for him to sell the land above mentioned. 

John W. Davis

April 6, 1887

W. F. Dunn

Wm. Reid

In County Court, Prince William County Sept 1^st 1890.

The last will and testament of John W. Davis decd. Was produced to the court for probate and the signature that’s partially proven and was ordered to be certified. 

And at a County Court held for Prince William County on 6^th day of October 1890.  The true last will and testament of Jno. W. Davis decd. Was again this day presented to the Court for probate and the signature thereto fully proven by the subscribing witnesses thereto and was ordered to be recorded.

Teste, E. Nelson

[NOTE:  John W. Davis, a widower, married Analentin F. Norman on February 3, 1875.  John's daughter from a previous, Emma E. Davis, married Samuel H. Thorpe of Fauquier County on April 6, 1875.  ~cgl]