EXPLORE RELIC - January 2019

EXPLORE RELIC January 2019 - The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC)

Start your historical journey here. RELIC's email newsletter highlights upcoming free events and happenings. Genealogy and local Virginia history are our specialty as a service provided by the Prince William Public Library. We're located at Bull Run Regional Library and you can always find more about us at pwcgov.org/relic.

REVEALING THE CARNAGE AND CHAOS OF THE HOSPITALS OF FIRST MANASSAS On July 21, 1861, Union and Confederate forces clashed just north of Manassas in the first major battle of the Civil War. Within 24 hours, there were about 3,500 causalities; no one was fully prepared. Private homes and buildings in the area served as hospitals staffed by inexperienced surgeons and assistants attempting to care for the wounded. Local historian and author, Paige Gibbons-Backus, will reprise a talk she recently gave at the Annual Conference of Civil War Medicine in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, detailing the challenges and shortages faced in the makeshift hospitals. Tuesday, January 15, 7:00 p.m.   Register at 703-792-4540 or relic2@pwcgov.org. ____________________________________ GENEALOGY 201: BEYOND THE BASICS RELIC's Don Wilson will discuss effective research strategies and demonstrate advanced techniques for successfully searching and evaluating free online genealogy/history resources. See how information found in census, newspapers, passenger lists, maps, books, and manuscripts can add detail and interest to your family history. Thursday, January 24, 11:00 a.m. Register at 703-792-4540 or relic2@pwcgov.org.

Friday's Faces from the Past: Lois Chapin (approx 1904)

This family photo is a lost heirloom discovered by a good Samaritan in an antique store in Ashland, Oregon that found its way "home" to my cousin Gentsia.  

It shows Lois Chapin, the daughter of Alyce (Keys) and Paul Chapin.  (Alyce was the daughter of Henry Armistead and Sarah Frances (Lynn) Keys of Prince William County.)

Lois was born 19 July 1902 and married Solomon L. Van Meter, Jr.  She died 22 August 1963 and is buried along with her husband in Lexington, Kentucky.

(Thank you, Gentsia, for sharing!)

Newspaper Tidbit: Hoadly (1921)

Prince William News
29 December 1921

HOADLY

Happy New Year to All

Miss Florella Milstead of Washington is spending the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Milstead.

Mr. E. M. Garner spent Sunday with Miss Eva Kidwell, of Agnewville.

Mrs. Edith Yates of Washington is spending the holidays with her mother, Mrs Annie Garner and her daughter, Alma Yates, who has been with her grandmother for some time.

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Sprague of Washington are visiting relatives here.

Dr. W. Fewell Merchant of Manassas was in this vicinity several days last week looking after smallpox patients and vaccinating.

Mr. and Mrs. Tyson Reid and daughter, Miss Maxine, were in Washington shopping Saturday.

A horse belonging to Mr. Daniel Reid was kicked by another horse last Friday night.  Mr. Reid's animal suffered a broken leg and had to be killed.

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

Sunday's Obituary: Minnie Rhine Herndon (1929)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
28 November 1929

MRS. MINNIE HERNDON IS DEAD AT AGE OF 60

Had Gained Wide Recognition in Prison Reform Circles for Work District

Mrs. Minnie Rhine Herndon, 60 years old, whose work while superintendent of women at District penal institution at Lorton, Va., won wide recognition in prison reform cirecles, died last night at a private sanitarium following an illness of 18 months.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, from the Old Pohick Church at Lorton Va., and interment will be in the Herndon lot in the churchyard. Rev. George W. Dow and Rev. R. P. Rixey will officiate. The body will be at Schuppert's funeral establishment, 2008 Pennsylvania avenue, until noon Saturday.

During the 17 years which Mrs. Herndon was superintendent of women at Lorton she was also active in social welfare work conducted by several churches. She was a member of the Beulah Baptist Church at Franconia, Va. Ill health forced her retirement from active work almost a year ago.

Mrs. Herndon was born in Prince William County, Va. In 1897 she married Allan M. Herndon, whose death occurred shortly before she went into prison work. Most of Mrs. Herndon's married life was spent in Washington.

Mrs. Herndon is survived by two daughters, Mrs. William H. Leef of Alexandria, Va. and Miss M. Aurelia Herndon of Washington; a son, Francis M. Herndon of Washington; a grandson, William H. Leef, Jr.; a brother, R. L. Rhine of Washington and six sisters, Mrs. Sara Broders, Miss Elizabeth Rhine and Mrs. Michael Guiffre, all of Washington, and Mrs. Laura Duvall of Lorton, Mrs. Annie Herndon of Nokesville, Va., and Mrs. B. A. Kalleen of Chicago.

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.

Will: James Anderson (1806)

Prince William County, VA
Will Book I, pg 171
James Anderson's Will

In the Name of God Amen I James Anderson Senior being in perfect memery but weak in body do make this my last will and testament. I will that all my leagel debts to paid and when it shall please God to call me home from this trancetrory world that my body to be decently buried in a certain hope of a joyfull resuraction through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Item 1 I will and bequeth to my well beloved wife Mary Anderson one third part of my estate during her natural life and at her decace to be ekuley devided among my children except my son James that has got his part already.

Item 2 I will bequeth to my son James Anderson one Negree fellow named Joe one horse and mere two hogshead of toba. & six poun cash which I consider as his part of my estate and he is not to have any more nor no clame hereafter.

__ Item I will and bequith that all and every part part of my estate to be eqully devided among my other cheldreen only excepted as befor excepted.

__ Item it is my will and desire that my well beloved wife Mary Anderson and Presley Woodard will be my Executers after my decase.

I have hereunto set my hand seal this twelth day of March one thousand eight hundred and six.

James [X his mark] Anderson {seal}

Witnesses
John [X his mark] Rollans
Henry Hope
Margreet [X her mark] Hope


At a Court held for Prince William County December __d, 1806
    The last will and testament of James Anderson decsd was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of John Rollans & Henry Hope was ordered to be recorded and Mary Anderson and Presley Woodyard the Excr and Exor mentioned in said will made oath to the same and having entered into bond with Security, who justified, according to law, Certifiate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste,

J. Williams, Ct. Cur

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[I've transcribed this Will with misspellings intact.  I often wonder if it drove the court clerks crazy when they were given an instrument filled with spelling errors.  Did they itch to correct them? --cgl]