Sunday's Obituary: Dr. William Starr

Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) - February 17, 1908

DR. WILLIAM STARR. -- Washington, Feb. 16.--Dr. William Starr, believed to be the oldest resident of this city, died at his home here.  He was 101 years old and a native of Prince William County, Va.  Dr. Starr was a specialist in medicinal botany, was one of the pioneers who went to California in 1849.  He amassed a small fortune there and invested in Louisiana farm lands.  He served in the Confederate Army and after leaving that service was practically penniless.

Black History Month: 1862: Confined Negroes in Military Prisons in Richmond, VA

Richmond Examiner – October 1, 1862

A LIST OF NEGROES NOW CONFINED IN THE MILITARY PRISONS, IN RICHMOND, VA.

J A Emery, free, Salem, Mass

E Boven, free, Maryland

E B Williams, free, Baltimore

Daniel Carter, slave of T McCormick, Clarke co, Va

Andrew Williams, free, New York

Joe Brown, slave of Z Ailes, Miss

Alfred Jonnes, slave of Newton Ladd, Charles City Co

Isaac Webster, free, Washington, D C

Joe James, free, Henrico co, Va

L McCoy, free, New York city

Benj Dangerfield, slave of James Riley, Jefferson co, Va

J Johnson, slave of Wm Crump, New Kent co

Jas Kranty, slave of Wm Kranty, Loudoun co

Nathan, slave of Chas Berley, Loudoun co

Jim Johnson, free, Connecticut

Leana Johnson, woman, slave of Mrs. M. Howard, Fairfax co

Wm Norris, slave of Robt Allison, Fairfax co

Wm hensby, free, Annapolis, Md

Robert ---, free, Maryland

Charles

L Hawkins, slave of John Mitchell, Md

R B Wilson, free, Ohio

Wm Jos Burke, free boy, New York

Wm H Richards, free, Baltimore, Md

Jno Cox, slave of Ric'd Lyons, King and Queen co

Chas Montgomery, free, D C

Reed Harrison, free, Prince William co, Va

Thos Jackson, free, New York State

Carter Freeman, slave of Wm Davis, Prince William co, Va

Richmond Roane, slave of Dr Fontleroy, Hanover

Dan, slave of Sam'l Humphreys, Stafford co, Va

Alex Johnson, free, New York

Mary Cook, slave of Mrs. Randolph, Fredericksburg

John, slave of Capt Stevens, Fredricksburg

Abram Spencer, free, Strasburg, Va

Charley ---, free, Prince William co, Va

Sam'l Hill, free, Washington

John Read, slave of Mrs. Stillaton, Front Royal, Va

Esau, slave of Wm Bowen, Fauquier co, VA

El Hamilton, slave of Dan'l Meltinger, Romney, Va

Thos Gassus, free, White Hall, N Y

Gen Jordan, free, Phila

David Jones, free, New Jersey

John Henry, free, Alexandria

Jim Green, free, R L

John Clarke, free, Washington

Green Jones, free, Ohio

Thos Mitchell, free, Ohio

George Cook, free, Prince William

William Lipscomb, slave of Mrs. Gordon, New kent

Jerry Lomax, slave of Wm Pratt, Va

Horace, slave of Geo Taylor

John Williams, free, Alexandria, Va

Gibson Gracy and three children, slave of widow Goodwin, Fairfax co

Chas Murphy

Andrew Jackson, free, Penn

Edmond, slave of John Sanderson, Norfolk co, Va

Louisa

Jaes, slave of Maj Wm Allen, Jamestown Island

Jim West, slave of Geo R Cox, King William co

Jackson, slave of Richard Bailey, Sandy Point

Nat, slave of Albert Hawkerds, York river

Aug D Pretley, free, Phila

Joe Hall, slave of Dr Chas Seldon, Richmond

Isaac Wood, slave of Chas Wood, no county

King Abel, slave of Thomas Candish, Williamsburg

Eliza Gaskins, Louisa, Wm H Gaskins – free, and children, Prince William

Thomas Dickerson, slave of Chas Dickerson, Greenbrier co, Va

Susan Gaskins, free, and D Gaskins, H Gaskins and Catharine Gaskins, her children, Prince William

Jim Johnson, free, Connecticut

Harrison Read, free, Prince William

Joe Bush, free, New York

Jas West, slave of Geo R Cocke, King and Queen

Oliver Pleasants, free, Charles City co

Chas Montgomery, free, Washington, D C

Wm H Richards, free, Baltimore, Md

John Cox, slave of Richard Lyne, King and Queen

Richard Hudgins, slave of Capt John Taylor, Charlottesville

Sam'l Hill, free, Washington, D C

Thos Jackson, free, New York

Joe Boykin, slave of Graham Pearce, New Kent co

Jas Marzingo, free, Westmoreland co

Dan'l Henderson, slave of Frank Ruffin, Richmond city

Baldwin Lee, slave of Richard Baylor, Sandy Point

David Young, slave of Rich'd Baylor, Sandy Point

J Beeden, slave of M Stilluts, Front Royal

R Western, slave of Thos Evans, York co

The history here given is obtained from the negroes themselves.

Jno. H. Winder, Brig Gen

cep30-d&w2t

Sunday's Obituary: Catherine (Abel) Williams

"Sunday's Obituary" is one of many blogging prompt suggested by Geneabloggers.


Alexandria Gazette
August 24, 1907

DEATH OF MRS. WILLIAMS -- Mrs. Catherine Williams, wife of Mr. J. W. Williams, residing at 1829 Duke street, died yesterday evening, after a brief illness, at the Alexandria Hospital.  The deceased was thirty-five years old.  Mrs. Williams was a daughter of Mr. Walter H. Able, of Prince William county.  The remains will be taken to Quantico for interment Sunday.  Mrs. Williams's infant child also died at the hospital.

--------------

Catherine Abel (also spelled Able/Abell) was born on April 20, 1872 in Prince William County to Walter H. and Martha Abel.  She is 8 years old on the PWCo 1880 census with her parents and siblings Roberta (age 5) and Nelson (age 2).

February Events at Historic PWCo Sites

February 2-3, 2013

February 9-10, 2013

February 16-17, 2013

February 23-24, 2013

Lucasville School Open Weekends

11am- 4pm daily; Free

Visit a reconstructed 19^th century school used by the community of Lucasville.  Learn surprising facts of African American history in Prince William County and throughout the Northern Virginia region. 

Lucasville School 10516 Godwin Dr., Manassas, VA.  703-365-7895

February 9, 2013

Chocolate – A History and Tasting

2pm; $15 per person.

For 2000 years humans have been enjoying chocolate.  We think of eating chocolate by the bar, bunny or box and for it to be sweet.  However, for most of its life chocolate hasn’t been sweet and we drank it.  Join artisan chocolate maker Ben Rasmussen of Potomac Chocolate as you sample your way through the history of chocolate.  Reservations required.  Not appropriate for children under 12. 

Old Manassas Courthouse 9246 Lee Street, Manassas, VA. 703-499-9812

February 14, 2013

Lecture: Courtship Customs of Centuries Past

7pm; $25 per person, $45 per couple reservations required

Join us for this dinner program on courtship, dating customs and dinner etiquette of the 18^th and 19^th Century.  Space is limited.  Please register no later than February 6^th to secure a space.  Please call 703-792-4754 to make reservations.

Old Manassas Courthouse, 9246 Lee Street, Manassas, VA. 703-792-4754

February 16, 2013                                                                                                                        The Enslaved of Ben Lomond                                                                                            11am - 4pm; $5 per person, free for children under six                                                        

Staff will provide unique hands-on tours about slavery on the Plantation. Learn about the "Peculiar Institution" as it existed here from the 1700s to the Civil War. See the farm and house through the eyes of those who were enslaved and kept the plantation running. Hands on demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Tours begin on the hour. Last tour at 4 pm Please dress for the weather.

Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas, VA. 703-367-7872

February 21, 2013

Lecture: Washington and Rochambeau’s Path to Destiny

7pm; Free; donations accepted

General George Washington used the Washington Rochambeau route also known as the King’s Highway and the Potomac Path from Rhode Island, to Yorktown in 1781.  This major land route was vital to Washington’s war success. Sections of this route brought soldiers and Washington himself through Prince William County.  Join us for a living history, first person, account of this vital roadway. 

Ferlazzo Auditorium, 15941 Donald Curtis Dr, Woodbridge, VA. 703-792-4754

February 21-23, 2013

“Lest We Forget” The Enslavement and Emancipation Conference

8am - 8pm; Free

The first in an annual series of conferences on African American History in

Virginia gets underway in Prince William County on Thursday, February 21, 2013.

Activities include historical and dramatic plays, keynote addresses and paper sessions, discussion roundtables and forums, as well as guided tours of historic sites in Prince William County and Washington, D.C. Coinciding with the 150^th anniversary of the executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in January 1863, “Lest We Forget” will engage history as a vehicle for understanding both the present day and the future. Join us as we bring together noted scholars, public historians, and actors to explore the cultural and historical legacies of the antebellum period. Registration and attendance for the conference is free. The optional Saturday bus tour to DC African American sites is $100, The bus tour of Prince William County sites is $70.00. Both all day tours include lunch. Please call 703-792-4754 for more information and to register.

Hylton Memorial Chapel: 14640 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA.

February 28, 2013

Lecture: Jennie Dean; A Founder of Legacies for "Her People"

7 pm; Free, donations accepted

Spend an afternoon with historian Marion Dobbins as she discusses the accomplishments of Jennie Dean, founder of theManassas Industrial School for Colored Youth.  Jennie was born into slavery in 1852 and was owned by the Cushing and Newsom Families in Prince William County Virginia.  "A pioneer in the advancement of education and religion among the black citizens of Prince William and neighboring counties" Jennie is known for her mentorship, steadfast determination, fundraiser abiities and her never ending desire to education and uplift "Her people".  We will explore her early influences and adult ambitious in establishing a school and spiritual houses of worship in Prince William County, Virginia

Old Manassas Courthouse 9246 Lee Street, Manassas, VA. 703-792-4754

For more information on Historic Preservation in Prince William County programs, rental program and volunteer opportunities please visit their website atwww.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation

Or email PWHPF at historicpreservation@pwcgov.org

Will: John McMillian

JOHN McMILLIAN

Prince William County Will Book K, pg. 126

18 Oct 1811; 4 Nov 1811

It is my desire that SARAH KEICH provided she out lives me should have in consideration of the love & affection which I entertain for her, as well as for a remuneration of past services the following property to wit three slaves, BETTY daughter to RACHAEL, MARIEA daughter to MARY, ALFRED son to WINNY all of which I give to her & her heirs forever, also her choice of four cows at my home place, also one horse worth thirty pounds also my household & kitchen furniture.  It is further my will & desire that she have during her natural life my dwelling house & two hundred acres of land contiguous thereto to be laid of in any manner or direction she may wish.  Given under my hand & seal this 18^th October 1811.

JOHN McMILLIAN {seal}

By desire

JOHN SPENCE

Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of

JNO. GIBSON JR.

WILLIAM ASHMORE

ALEXANDER MUSCHETT

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County November 4^th 1811.

This last will and testament of JOHN McMILLIAN decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of JOHN GIBSON JR. and WILLIAIM ASHMORE is ordered to be recorded.  And administration with the will annexed of JOHN McMILLIAN decd. is granted to JOHN BRISCOE he having taken the oath prescribed by law & entered into and acknowledged a bond with security according to law, which bond is ordered to be recorded.

Teste,  J. WILLIAMS

Will: Howison Pinn

Howison Pinn Will
PWCo Will Book S, pg. 507

Being considerably advanced in years and knowing the uncertainty of life, and being desirous of making some particular provisions for some members of my family, I Howison Pinn of the county of Prince William and State of Virginia do make and publish this as and for my last will and testament, hereby revoking and declaiming said all other wills by me heretofore made:

1st. I give and bequeath to my wife Pattie Pinn all my real estate and personal property of every description during her life time she paying my just debts;

2nd. After her death I give and bequeath to my two daughters Hannah and Judith Pinn my dwelling house and other buildings with sixteen acres of cleared land adjacent thereto and three acres of woodlands.

3rd. I give and bequeath to Josephine Curtis daughter of James and Lucy Curtis three acres of land adjoining the sixteen acres above bequeathed.

4th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Stokes wife of Francis Stokes the ten acres which I have already sold to him & three acres adjoining the Marsteller Tract of land and said Stokes owner.

5th. After the death of wife Pattie Pinn I desire that the remaining land not above willed shall be equally divided between my children William Pinn, Howison Pinn Jr., Mary Harris, Travis Pinn, Landonia Lewis, the said Landonia Lewis to have her share of the land to adjoin the Marsteller Tract, and the lot which I have sold to her husband William Lewis if she so desires it, and all the personal property which may be left, at my wife's death to be sold, and equally divided among all my children after paying her just debts.

I appoint my wife Pattie Pinn my Executrix without security.  In testimony wehreof I the said Howison Pinn have to this my last will and testament signed and subscribed my name this first day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and seventy six.

Howison {X his mark} Pinn

Witness
W. L. B. Wheeler

Signed Acknowledgd and published by the said Howison Pinn as and for his last will and testament in presence of both of us at the same time.  Who at his bequest, and in his presence subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto

W. L. B. Wheeler
F. M. Lewis

In Prince William County fourth August term 1876.  The last will and testament of Howison Pinn dcd. was this day presented to the Court by Pattie Pinn the Executrix therein named, and being proved by the oaths of W L B Wheeler & F M Lewis subscribing witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded.  And in motion of said Pinn the Ex.t named in said last will, who made oath & together with w L B Wheeler & F M Lewis has surities who justified as to their sufficiency entered into & acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $100 conditioned according to law whcih bond is ordered to be recorded, certificate is granted the said Pinn for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.

A copy teste,

L A Davis clk

January Programs

Prince William County Historic Preservation Division has a number of wonderful programs and events planned for 2013. 

Below are the programs for January.  The full 2013 program list will be available soon on their website at www.pwcgov.or/historicpreservation

January 10, 2013

Lecture: Cause and Effect, the Richmond Home Front In 1863

7pm; Free, donations accepted

In March and May of 1863, a fire at Tredegar Ironworks and an explosion on Browns Island created a shortfall of arms and ammunition the Confederacy needed for the war effort.  Ed Sanders, historian, from the Richmond National Battlefield will give detailed commentary on damages done to the Confederate war machine and its effect on the outcome of the Gettysburg Campaign in the summer of 1863.

Old Manassas Courthouse, 9246 Lee Street, Manassas, VA. 703-792-4754

January 24, 2013

Lecture: Americans in Wartime

7pm; Free, donations accepted

Representatives of the Americans in Wartime Museum will give an overview of their ongoing efforts and progress toward opening the Americans in Wartime Museum facility.  The museum will discuss the broad scope of their many projects.  The presentation will cover everything from a WWII soldier’s footlocker to a fire-engine from September 11th.

Old Manassas Courthouse, 9246 Lee Street, Manassas, VA. 703-792-4754

January 27, 2013

Key to the Courthouse Local Wedding Showcase

1-5pm; Free.

If you are getting married join us for a bridal expo at the Old Manassas Courthouse.  There will be local vendors, consultations, entertainment, tasting tables and fun!  Events is sponsored jointly by Davis Talley Events and Design and Prince William County Historic Preservation. 

Old Manassas Courthouse, 9246 Lee Street, Manassas, VA. 703-499-9812