Will: Elizabeth Whiting

Will of Elizabeth Whiting
PWCo. Will Book K, pg. 99

I Elizabeth Whiting of Snow Hill, Prince William County being of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following ~ Imprimis, whereas upon my marriage to my much beloved Husband Mr. Matthew Whiting deceased I was seized of several Tracts of Land which he afterwards found it necessary to dispose of and did sell to sundry persons under a promise that the title should be made complete in the Purchasers by my joining in the conveyances, which has not been done in compliance with my said Husbands promise, and the expectation which has thereby been exhibited, I do hereby declare that the said sales have been sanctioned by me and do hereby for myself & my heirs, relinquish all claim to all and every Tract that was sold by  him in which I was interested, and in the conveyance whereof, I have joined. To this act I am the more inclined, from a promise that it should be done made by me to my said beloved Husband, who has consequently disposed of his Estate by his Will agreeably to my Wishes.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Executor in trust for Cecelia G. Brooke, Wife Mr. Matthew W. Brooke of Page Land two negro girls Sarah and Celea grand daughters of my Woman Pegg, which negro girls I desire may be subject to my said neices disposed either by deed or by Will and if my said neice should die without making such disposition or without having any children of her own to inherit them, I desire that Sarah may go to her neice Cecelia Beverley, Whiting, and Celea to go to Ann daughter of Mr. Lewis B. Whiting.

Item. I give and bequeath to my neice Eliza Francis Carter my negro girl Eliza, daughter of Pegg, and all her and her future increase (except Letty Felicia Corbin) to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my neice Elizabeth Alexander wife of Mr. Gerrard Alexander my servant girl Fanny granddaughter of Pegg and all her future increase to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my neices Seniora Brown, Sarah Scott and Maria Whiting, each the Sum of eighty five pounds to be laid out by them in a negro girl, which sum is to be raised by my Executor from the sale of such property as is herein after directed to be sold, and to be paid when the same shall be so-raised.

Item. Whereas my beloved Husband in his life time did verbally give to my dear little Toz Edmonia Brooke the little girl called Letty Felicia Corbin, granddaughter of Pegg, I desire that the said girl shall belong to her and this bequest being in conformity to his wish, which he neglected to fulfill by a deed of conveyance, I desire that the said Toz Edmonia Brooke may nevertheless share equally with the granddaughters of my Sister Brown in the distribution of that portion of my Estate hereinafter bequeathed to them.

Item the above named negroes that are specially bequeathed are all descended from Pegg, and are subjected by my beloved Husband's Will to my disposal. Those to whom they are given (except Toz. Edmonia Brooke) are not to share with those herein after named in any other part of my EState, being greater share than some of the rest will have

Item. I give and bequeath to my nephew Matthew Whiting Brooke my servant boy Zachary, son of Pegg, whom he has taken as a Waiting Man, together with Zachary's wife Lizza, her child Fenton Meveer, and all her future increase. In the division which is directed by his uncle's Will of the slaves between the said Matthew W. Brooke and myself, the negro boy Jerry is given to my said Nephew which boy he will have no hesitation to give in exchange for Zachary and his Wife and Children so given him by me. To my said Nephew Matthew W. Brooke, I also give and bequeath the following property viz., a little boy called Richard, grandson of Pegg, which boy I desire he may keep as a Waiting Man in remembrance of me. I give to him also all the household and kitchen furniture, with all the plantation and farming utensils, carts, and waggons, and one half of all the stocks of every kind on the farm also the gold watch which was worn by his Uncle, and which, in his life time he expressed a wish that Matt should have after his death.

Item. I give and bequeath all the slaves not before given away, that I may be entitled to upon a division with my Nephew Matthew W. Brooke with the other half of my stocks of every kind, to be equally divided among my neices, Martha Lavinia Brown, and all the granddaughters of my Sister Brown, not before excluded from a participation in the bequest, and in order that this division (may) be rendered easy, and made equal, I direct that the said negroes and stocks may be sold by my Executor on a credit of six months and that the money (after raising the legacies given to Seniora Brown, Sarah Scott and Maria Whiting) to be equally divided between them by paying the same to their Father, Mother or Guardian.

Item if any of my neices to whom I have given specific legacies die before I do, or any of the residuary legatees die before I do, I direct that such legacies as are left them go into the residue of my Estate and be equally divided as I have before directed the residue of my Estate to be.

Item it is my will and desire that the hands belonging to me and the stocks on the Farm, may be kept together by my Executor to finish the crops that may be growing at the time of my decease, and the Proceeds of such crop and the crop that may be upon hand unsold, may be applied in the first place to the payment of such debts as I may owe ~ in the next place to the payment of such debts as may be due from the Estate of my much beloved Husband in the next place to the discharge of the legacies left by him, and if there be any surplus, that, the same be equally distributed among the granddaughters of my Sister Brown (except those before excepted) and my neice Martha Lavinia Brown.

Lastly I constitute and appoint my friend and relation Edmund Brooke Executor of this my last Will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 29 of Apl. 1811.

Elizabeth Whiting {seal}

Signed sealed and declared as the last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Whiting in presence of
J. Scott, Edw. Carter, E. Brooke
Lewis B. Whiting, Josiah Tidball

Before the above Will was signed I wish it to be notified and remembered that in the bequest of the residue of my slave and half stocks to granddaughters of my Sister Brown that now are to be included that are not now in being that is at the time of the execution of this Will.

Elizabeth Whiting {seal}

At a Court for Quarterly Sessions held for Prince Wm. County, August 5th 1811.

This last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Whiting decd was presented to the Court by Edmund Brooke (the) Executor therein named who made oath to the same according to law, and the said Will being proved by the oaths of Josiah Tidball & Lewis B. Whiting is ordered to be recorded. And the said Edmund Brooke having taken the oath of an Executor and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, J. Williams   Cl.

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Item - (April 1876)

Alexandria Gazette
13 April 1876

Letter from Prince William County
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

MANASSAS, April 12.  Easter will be observed with appropriate services in the M. E. Church at this place, Rev. Mr. Otis preaching in the morning and the pastor at night. The month of May will be devoted entirely to special and appropriate services for young people.

Mr. [sic] Elizabeth B. Mitchell, consort of Geo. W. Mitchell, was born in Warren county, N.J.  She united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and ever lived a consistent and faithful member of the same. She died on Sunday evening at 7 1/2 o'clock, and was buried from her home on the 12th.  The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Charles King to a large and deeply-sympathizing audience.

Rev. Charles Nourse, of Georgetown, lectures on temperance at the Presbyterian Church next Saturday night. The recent effort to crush the leaders of this movement has not only failed, but has resulted disastrously to those engaged in it.

D. W. Whiting has resigned the Mayoralty of Manassas, and his paper, the Manassas Gazette, is in the hands of Constable Weeden.

K.

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

Will: Matthew Whiting (1810)

Will of Matthew Whiting
PWCo Will Book K, pg. 77

In the Name of God Amen! I Matthew Whiting of Snow Hill in the County of Prince William, being mindful of the uncertainty of human life and desirous of disposing of such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to give me, do whilst of sound mind & memory make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say.

Imprimis, I give and bequeath to my much beloved wife the whole of my estate real and personal, for and during her natural life, and one half of my negroes forever, which she is hereby authorized to dispose of by Will, not to take effect however, should I be the longest liver till my death, when the same will be carried into execution.  In the division which will then be made of the negroes, I direct that Ciller and her children, Eliza and her children, Fanny, the Grand-daughter of Pegg, may fall into the division that may be set apart for my wife. I also give and bequeath to my beloved wife all my stocks of every kind, to do as she pleases with, and allow her only the use of the household and kitchen furniture during her life, when it shall go in the manner hereinafter directed.

Item, In Testimony of the Love and affection which I bear to Matthew Whiting Brooke junior the son of W. Edmund Brooke whom I have always patronised and educated, and who is dear to me, I give, devise and bequeath to him the whole of my Land with one half my negroes, and the houses, household and kitchen furniture aforementioned, after the death of my wife, to him and his heirs forever; and in the division which shall be made between himself and Aunt of the negroes, I direct that Jack, Jerry and Pegg may fall into his division.

Item, being desirous of leaving a testimony of my affection for the following persons, I give devise and bequeath to them the following Legacies viz., to my nephew M. W. Brooke senr. I give and bequeath the sum of three hundred pounds.  To my grand-niece Nancy Ingram the oldest daughter of M. Thomas Ingram I give one hundred pounds. To Nancy Powell the oldest daughter of Maj. Powell of Middleburg, I give and bequeath one hundred pounds. And I give and bequeath the same legacy of hundred pounds to Lucy Diggs the oldest daughter of M. Thomas Diggs which said several pecuniary Legacies are to be paid within four years after my decease.

Item, If there be not enough personal property at my decease to pay my debts, it is my will that my land be liable. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my brother Francis Whiting and my friend Edmund Brooke Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills and establishing this as my last. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my seal this sixth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and six.

M. Whiting {seal}

Signed, sealed and acknowledged as the Last Will and Testmanet of Mathew Whiting in presence of
Richd. B. Alexander
John McClenachan
E. Brooke

At a Court cont'd & held for Prince William County Decembr 4, 1810

This last will and testament of Mathew Whiting decd was presented to the Court and being proved by the Oath of Edmund Brooke was ordered to be Certified and at a Court held for said County February 4th 1811 this said Last Will and Testament of Mathew Whiting decd was presented to the Court and being fully proved by the Oath of Richard B. Alexander was ordered to be recorded and Edmund Brooke one of the Executors therein named having made oath to the same according to law and taken the Oath of an Executor and given bond with security according to law Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, J. Williams    Ct. Cur

Application for Citizenship: James Jenkyn Davies (5 May 1874)

The path to citizenship was a fairly simple, straightforward process in 19th century Prince William County.  Take the following 1874 application by J. J. Davies, presented before the court 5 May 1874:

Virginia to Wit: 

Appeared before me D. W. Whiting a justice in and for Prince William County, Harvey B. Varns, and after being sworn, testified that he is acquainted with James J. Davies, now of Brentsville, and knows him the said James J. Davies to have been a resident of the United States for five years. 

Given under my hand this 5th day of May 1874. 

D. W. Whiting

Know someone in the county who can verify you've lived in the U.S. at least 5 years?  Citizenship granted!

In "District of Columbia Births and Christenings, 1830-1955" database (familysearch.org), James Jenkyn Davies of England is cited as the father of an unnamed son on 10 October 1887.  His wife, Mildred Hawes Thornton, is a Virginia native. 

[Thank you to Ron Turner for sharing this find from the loose papers of the Prince William County archives.]

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]

Crime & Punishment: Chose the Stripes (1874)

Alexandria Gazette
28 November 1874

CHOSE THE STRIPES -- Casper Redmond, a young colored man, was arrested on Thursday and taken before Justice D. W. Whiting on a charge of having "made way" with the contents ($11.50) of a pocket-book he found belonging to James A. Goodwin, whose father he was in the employment of at the time. He acknowledged he found the pocket-book, and that he knew whose it was, but said it only contained $1.50, which he spent.  He was sentenced to sixty days in jail or twenty stripes. He said he would rather be whipped than stay in jail one day. The Sheriff gave him the stripes.

-- Manassas Gazette

Prince William County Items: June 19, 1875

Alexandria Gazette
June 19, 1875

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS. -- A dog case was tried on Monday last, and decided in favor of the defendant.  Justice Whiting decided that if a person puts poison in his own poultry yard at night, for the purpose of killing the vermin that had been in the habit of killing his poultry, and a neighbor's dog happened to be the victim, he was not responsible for the loss, or value of the dog.  He therefore gave judgment against the plaintiff for costs.

At the next term of the County Court an overseer for each road presinct [sic] will be appointed, and we understand that Judge Nicol has intimated that he intends seeing that each overseer does his duty, and those failing to do so will have to give way to some one who will.

The colored boy, Edward Stewart Trott, pronounced insane by a jury of the County Court, at the June term, was conveyed to the Central (colored) Insane Asylum at Richmond, on Monday last, by Mr. A. F. Woodyard, the jailor, accompanied by Mr. Matt. Woodyard.

The repairs to the county jail, just completed by Mr. A. F. Woodyard, renders the building more suitable for its purposes than it has been since its erection.  Each cell is now furnished with a flue.

Mr. Peter T. Weedon, who lost five sheep by the ravages of dogs a few weeks ago, had more killed and several others badly damaged on Sunday night last.

Mr. T. M. Houchens, formerly of Alexandria, has established himself in the business of harness making in Manassas.

~ Manassas Gazette

Sunday's Obituary: Matthew Whiting

Alexandria Gazette
December 1, 1810

DIED, on the 19th ult. at his seat, Snow Hill, after a short illness, Matthew Whiting, Esq., of Prince William county, who wanted but two days of 80 years of age.  In reviewing the life of this worthy man, we shall see as much to admire, and as little to condemn, as falls to the lot of man.  In all the social relations, his conduct thro' life was such as to conciliate esteem, and to defy the scrutinizing eye of censure; just to his word -- constant, generous, and sincere in his friendships -- his house in perfect hospitality, he was universally beloved; and his death, by which his affectionate lady and numerous connexions have sustained an inseparable loss, has bereaved the neighborhood of its firmest pillar, and proudest boast.

Friend of Friends Friday: Public Sale

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)

December 12, 1811

PUBLIC SALE.

Will be sold, at Hay-Market, in the county of Prince William, Virginia, on the first day of January next--

A Number of Slaves,

Of both sexes and of different ages; the property of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Whiting, of Snow Hill -- among them are some excellent house servants, a hostler and shoemaker, and a male cook, 35 years of age, who, combined with a knowledge of cookery, for which he is not excelled, is an excellent butcher and gardener.  Added to these qualifications, he is sober, honest, a genteel dining room servant, and a tolerable course shoemaker.

At the same time will be sold,

A number of horses, and a Chariot somewhat new; being part of the personal estate of the late Matthew Whiting, Esq. and some corn, made on the estate this year.

The whole of this property will be sold on a credit of six months, the purchaser giving bond with approved security, carrying interest from the date if not punctually paid.

All persons having claims against either of the aforenamed persons, are requested to present them for payment, to

E. Brooke

December 6

Looking Back: The Manassas Journal

December 18, 1869 – Alexandria Gazette

Mr. Whiting, late of the Manassas Gazette, proposes shortly establishing a newspaper to be called the Prince William Advocate at Brentsville, Prince William county.

June 20, 1874 – Alexandria Gazette

THE MANASSAS GAZETTE.  Judge Charles E. Sinclair has assumed the editorship of the Manassas Gazette, Mr. D. W. Whiting publisher.  Judge S. in his salutatory says: -- "In all respects our editorial conduct will be independent.  We shall be 'devoted to no clique and bound to no master.'  In discussing freely public men and measures, we shall always try to bear in mind that others are entitled to the same freedom of opinion we claim for ourselves, and with charity for all, and malice towards none, we hope to pursue the even tenor of our way in pleasant and mutually profitable relations with all who take an interest in the success of the Gazette."  The Gazette is an excellent paper, and we wish it and its new editor abundant success.

July 13, 1896 – The Baltimore Sun

The Manassas Gazette has been purchased from Mr. T. H. Lion by Mr. W. H. W. Moran, of the Manassas Journal, and the two papers will be consolidated.

May 30, 1905 – Richmond Times Dispatch

The Manassas Journal has just entered upon its eleventh year, and its circulation is now larger than ever before.  That is good.  The greater the circulation of a newspaper like the Journal the better it will be for popular education.

January 29, 1926 – Richmond Times Dispatch

MANASSAS JOURNAL UNDER NEW OWNER. [Special to the Times-Dispatch.]  DANVILLE, VA. Jan. 28.—H. Burns Trundle, for more than twenty years business manager of the Evening bee and the Register, has purchased the Manassas Journal, a weekly newspaper, also a printer, and will assume active control of it on February 1.  Mr. Trundle left Danville yesterday evening to take charge of the property, in the conduct of which he will be assisted by his two sons.  Mr. Trundle in 1889 was associated with Colonel Al Fairbrother as part owner of the Bee and, when it was sold to the late R. A. James, became business manager.  When Mr. James acquired the Register he became business manager of that publication also, having carried the joint responsibility since 1903.

July 4, 1945 – Richmond Times Dispatch

Manassas Paper is Purchased by New Company.  Purchase of the Manassas Journal in Manassas, Prince William County, by the Prince William Publishing Company, Inc., of which John Galleher, Richmond attorney, is president, was disclosed yesterday with the new company by the State Corporation Commission.  The Manassas Journal has been operated during the past few years by Mrs. Georgia E. Lamb, widow of W. H. Lamb, who was editor and publisher for a number of years.  A weekly, it was established in 1884 and is listed as having a circulation of approximately 1,800.  The new publishing company, authorized not only to publish the newspaper but to do printing and bookbinding as well, is limited to maximum capital stock of $25,000.  Minimum stock is $12,000 and par value $100 per share.  Real estate holdings are not to exceed 25 acres.  C. A. Sinclair, of Manassas, is vice-president, and W. Hill Brown, Jr., Manassas, secretary, and they, with Galleher, are directors.  Brown also acts as attorney for the corporation.

May 18, 1946 – Richmond Times Dispatch

WANTED, at once, good job ad man, $40 per week, 44 hours.  Must be sober, Apply Manassas Journal, Manassas, Virginia.

Will: Matthew W. Brooke

MATTHEW W. BROOKE Will

Prince William County Will Book L, pg. 8

18 Aug 1816; proved 03 Dec 1816

I MATTHEW W. BROOKE of the county of Prince William being sick and infirm in body, but of sound and perfect mind do make this my last will and testament as follows – First I commit my soul to Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently intered at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named.  Secondly I subject the whole of my Estate to the payment of my debts and afterwards the residue thereof both real and personal to be kept together for the mutual benefit of my beloved wife and daughter BETTY WHITING during the minority of the latter, unless she marry before it expire.  Upon her attainment of the age of twenty one years, or marriage before that period, it is my will and desire that an equal division of the whole of my estate be made between my wife and daughter, and that the former hold her moity during her natural life, if she shall so long remain in a state of widowhood.  Thirdly, if my wife shall at any time marry I devise and bequeath to her one third only of my estate real and personal during her natural life, and direct that upon her marriage if no division of my estate shall have been made at that time, she shall receive and be entitled to no more, and if a division at that time shall have been made, that the excess above one third be restored to my daughter.  Fourthly, in the event of my daughter’s death before she shall have attained the age of twenty one years I give to my wife in like manner one moity of my estate real and personal during her widowhood and in case of her marriage, one third only during her natural life, at her death to be divided between my sister LUCY INGRAM’s children now living.  Lastly, I commit the protection of my wife, and guardianship of my daughter, to my friend Mr. THOMAS INGRAM whom I do hereby appoint my Executor.  In testimony hereof I affix my hand & seal this 16^th day of August eighteen hundred and sixteen.

M. W. BROOKE   {seal}

Signed & published in presence of

LUCY B. DIGGES, MARTHA L. BROWN, JAMES W. WALLACE

At a Court held by adjournment for Prince William County December 3^rd 1816.

This last will and testament of MATHEW W. BROOKE decd was presented to the Court by THOMAS INGRAM the Executor therein named who made oath to the same according to law and the said will being proved by the oaths of LUCY B. DIGGES and JAMES W. WALLACE is ordered to be recorded and the said THOMAS INGRAM having taken the oath of an Executor and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, PHIL. D. DAWE