Monday, July 8, 2019

Amanuensis Monday: Deed: Eppa Hunton Jr. to C. W. Fair (1888)

Prince William County
Deed Book 38, page 367
Hunton to Fair

This Deed made and entered into this the 11th day of October 1888 between Eppa Hunton Jr. of the first part and C. W. Fair, of the second party.

Whereas by a decree of the Circuit Court of Prince William County pronounced on the 8th day of October 1888, in the suit of Wards Excr. vs. Florence, the said Eppa Hunton Jr. was appointed a special commissioner and was directed to convey to C. W. Fair certain lands hereinafter more particularly described with Special Warranty.

Now this Deed witnesseth that for and in consideration of the premises and of the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars in hand paid the said Eppa Hunton Jr. by the said C. W. Fair the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged, he the said Eppa Hunton Jr. commissioner aforesaid has granted bargained and sold and by these presents does grant, bargain sell and convey unto the said C. W. Fair his heirs and assigns forever with Special Warranty all that tract of land situate in the County of Prince William adjoining the lands of Sam Beavers, Albert Corn, and others containing 23[?] acres, more or less.

Witnesseth the following signature and seal, the day and year first above written.

Eppa Hunton Jr. {seal}

Virginia, Fauquier County, Sct.

I, C. M. White, a Notary Public for Fauquier County, in the state of Virginia, do certify that Eppa Hunton Jr., whose name is signed to the writing hereto attached, bearing date on the 10th day of October 1888, has acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.

Given under my hand this 11th day of October 1888.

C. M. White, N.P.

In Clerks Office Prince William Count.

Dec. 7, 1888   This Deed from Hunton Commr. to Fair was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste,

Edwin Nelson, Clk.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Church Record Sunday: Rev. Clifton Storke Ordained to Preach

Manassas Democrat
4 July 1912

REV. CLIFTON STORKE ORDAINED TO PREACH

Service in Belle Haven Church

Woodbridge and Stafford Churches Join in Call -- Pastor and Deacons of Manassas Baptist Church Assist in Ordination

The Woodbridge and the Stafford Baptist churches have called the Rev. Storke to take charge of those churches, as pastor there-of, the Belle Haven church of which Mr. Storke is a member, requested the pastor and the deacons of Manassas Baptist church to enlist in Rev. Storke's ordination which took place on Sunday morning.

The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. H. L. Quarles, Deacon Westwood Hutchison delivered the charge to the church; Rev. Jos. F. Gulick the charge to the candidate; Rev. Mr. Cummings, pastor of the Belle Haven church, presented the bible, and Rev. W. WT. Wine delivered the ordination prayer.

There was all-day services, a large attendance and a sumptuous dinner served in the beautiful grove adjacent to the church.

Friday, July 5, 2019

Friday's Faces from the Past: G. C. Russell

Manassas Journal
6 July 1939

Grover Cleveland Russell

Merchant and lumberman of Bethel, who recently announced that he is a candidate for renomination to the office which he now holds, that of supervisor of Occoquan District, to which he was elected four years ago.

A news story concerning Mr. Russell's candidacy was in last week's Journal and his political card is also appearing currently.



Thursday, July 4, 2019

Newspaper Tidbit: Independence Day at Cannon Branch (1912)

Manassas Democrat
11 July 1912

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT CANNON BRANCH

Temperance the Chief Subject

Field Secretary, Anti-Saloon League, Chief Speaker -- Addresses by Messrs. Meetze, Blough, and Hutchison

The Cannon Branch and Bradley Sabbath Schools joined in celebrating the Fourth of July at Cannon Branch last Thursday, with a very interesting program consisting of recitations, declamations, dialogues, songs and special addresses.

Edward J. Richardson, Field Secretary of the Anti-Saloon League of Northern Virginia, delivered, both in the morning and afternoon, an interesting address, using a number of well-chosen cartoons to illustrate the baneful influence of intemperance and told in burning words the story of shattered homes and broken fortunes for which the liquor traffic is responsible.

Hon. C. J. Meetze, with his usual jeu de esprit and enthusiastic advocacy of the cause of temperance, delivered a forceful address declaring that if he had his way Virginia would be free from saloons and their influence.  

Rev. E. E. Blough, in well-chosen marks told of how the tobacco nuisance, which generally went hand in hand with the liquor habit, might be done away with or at least abated.

 Westwood Hutchison, in his accustomed good-humored way, spoke of how the masses might better their condition by self-denial along certain lines and through proper ambition.

Thus, independence day was pleasantly spent by friends and neighbors who partook of an appetizing dinner, from well-filled baskets contributed by those in attendance and which was greatly enjoyed.

If such meetings as this could be held on Independence Day in every county in the state for a few years, "the Old Dominion" -- mother of states and statesmen -- would free herself from the shackles which bind her to one of the chief causes of human depravity and of human misery.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Obituary: Henrietta Jackson Taylor

Washington Bee (DC)
13 June 1896

Mrs. Henrietta Jackson Taylor, wife of Mr. Minor Taylor, died at her late residence, 236 L Street, age 43 years.

She died Friday morning the 5th, and after the funeral on Saturday at 4 p.m., her remains were removed to Manassas, Prince William County, Va., in which county she was born, at Millford.  She left a father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Branson, her husband and 8 of 13 children to mourn their loss.


Monday, May 27, 2019

Newspaper Tidbit: Decline Candidacy for Sheriff

Alexandria Gazette
11 December 1857

NOTICE -- My name appeared sometime since in the Gazette, as one to be voted for as Sheriff of Prince William County, at the ensuing election, but circumstances (which is not necessary to mention) render it impracticable for me to be a candidate for that office at this moment and through this medium I respectfully decline, and return my sincere thanks to those whose kind feelings have brought my name in connection with that important office.

Respectfully,

F. A. Weedon
Prince William County, Va. dec 11 - eo3t


Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Wedding Wednesday: Waters/Pitts


Daily Dispatch (Richmond, VA)
Friday, 13 July 1913


A marriage of much interest throughout Virginia was that of Miss Claudia Waters, of Manassas, and David Marion Pitts, formerly of Elk Hill, but now of Manassas, the ceremony having taken place on July 2 in Washington. The Rev. William E. Collender, of the Church of the Ascension, officiated. The bride is a granddaughter of the late Robert M. Weir, of Prince William County, and Mr. Pitts is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Pitts, of Elk Hill. Both are widely related throughout the State, and their marriage is of much interest to their relatives and friends here. Mr. Pitts is a graduate of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and since his graduation has been in charge of the well known Porter estate, near Manassas.