Sunday's Obituary: Judge Charles Edgar Nicol

Richmond Times Dispatch – October 10, 1924

VIRGINIA LAWYER AND JURIST DIES IN ALEXANDRIA

Judge Charles Edgar Nicol, 70, Passes Away In Hospital.

[Special to the Times-Dispatch] Alexandria, VA, Oct. 21. – Former Judge Charles Edgar Nicol, 70 years old, one of the oldest members of the bar association and president of the Alexandria National Bank, died this afternoon at the Alexandria Hospital. His wife, who was Mrs. Florence Nash, of Warrenton; a son, Aylett B. Nicol, and four daughters, Mrs. Benjamin Iden, Washington; Misses Julia, Louise, this city, and Fannie, of Brooklyn, N.Y., survive.

He was born in Brentsville, Prince William County, Va., and was graduated from Richmond College in 1874 and from the University of Virginia in 1875, after which he was admitted to the bar. He had been identified with important litigation in the District of Columbia, State and Federal courts and also in Europe.

For six years he was a member of the Virginia House of Representatives, judge of the Circuit Court 1895 to 1907, when he resigned to run for Congress, trustee of Richmond College and Eastern College, deacon in the First Baptist Church, member of Masons and ex-president of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

[Judge Charles E. Nicol is buried in the Brentsville Public Cemetery, Brentsville, PWCo, VA.]

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Alexandria Gazette – July 19, 1873

At the commencement of Richmond college Charles E. Nicol, son of Judge A. Nicol, was presented with a gold medal for being the best writer in the Mu Sigma Rho Society of which he was a member, and had honors confered upon him as follows: Greek – intermediate and final. Mathematics – final, and graduated in French. This was his first session at college.

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Richmond Times-Dispatch – May 5, 1904

Judge Nicol Named. Governor Montague yesterday named Judge Charles E. Nicol of Prince William county to hold a part of the May term of the Culpeper Circuit Court for Judge D. A. Grimsley.

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Richmond Times-Dispatch – June 17, 1905

The Mayor Can Carry Pistol in Town. – Judge Charles E. Nicol of the Circuit Court of Loudoun decided in the case against S. C. Chancellor, Mayor, who was fined $75 by a justice of the peace for carrying concealed weapons, that the Mayor of any town had the right to carry weapons at any time, concealed or not, within the corporation limits and one mile beyond.

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Richmond Times-Dispatch – February 17, 1907

Judge Charles Nicol, who is aspiring to the seat in Congress made vacant by the recent death of Mr. Rixey, has begun a very active campaign, and Judge Nicol's many friends here are confidently looking forward to his election.

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Richmond Times-Dispatch – September 7, 1919

Judge C. E. Nicol of Alexandria and Manassas has established a scholarship in perpetuity at Richmond College in memory of his son, Charles Edgar Nicol, Jr., who died a year ago. The scholarship will be open to young men from the public schools of Prince William County, where young Nicol was born.

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Richmond Times-Dispatch – November 6, 1912

Judge and Mrs. Charles Edgar Nicol have sent out invitations for the marriage of their daughter, Pauline, to Dr. Benjamin Franklin Ide, Jr., Wednesday evening November 20, at 8 o'clock in Christ Church, Alexandria. A reception will follow the ceremony, from 8:30 until 11 o'clock at 316 North Washington Street, Alexandria.

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Richmond Times-Dispatch – October 29, 1924

JUDGE NICOL LEAVES ESTATE OF $150,000. Judge Samuel G. Brent Succeeds to Presidency of Alexandria Bank. – Judge Samuel G. Brent, of the courts of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, has been elected president of the Alexandria National Bank to fill the unexpired term of the late Judge Charles E. Nicol, Judge. Brent was vice-president of the bank.

An estate valued at $150,000 was left by the late Judge Charles E. Nicol, who died without a will. A son and widow qualified as executor and executrix.

Will: Roy W. Horton

Roy W. Horton Will

Will Book R, pg. 5-7

[Transcribed from a copy of the original Will, as hand-copied by clerk Lucien A. Davis for an 1885 chancery case of Henry M. Horton v. Meredith W. Horton (LVA PWCo chancery index no. 1885-009.)]

I Roy W. Horton of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia being aged and infirm but of perfect mind and memory do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say,

1^st give at my decease to my son Henry M. Horton the sum of three hundred dollars to be paid to him and his heirs forever out of my estate by Executor, the interest left said son in liens proceeds real estate which is conveyed to me in trust to secure the payment of a debt due to Anthony Thorn of Two Hundred Dollars and costs to be sold by my Executors and the debts paid if any over to be refunded to said son

2^nd I give to my son Russel E. Horton a negro boy named Jeff a slave for life to him and his heirs forever.  I also give to him a track of land bought of Miller, except thirty acres cut off on the east side to heirs and his heirs forever. 

3^rd I give to my son Meredith W. Horton the services of a negro girl named Martha for his life and then to be provided for by him her increase her increase if any to him and his heirs forever.  I also give to my said son my mansion house with sixty four acres of land round the same, and thirty acres on the east side of the Miller land, I also give to my said son a track of land known as the oven stone of 143 acres to him and his heirs forever.

4^th It is my wish and desire that in case of the death of Russel E. Horton or Meredith W. Horton without bodily ____ the property herein devised by me to revert to the surviving one.

5^th It is my wish and desire that my Executor execute to Chs. H. Dotson and Emily & his wife a deed out of my Stafford land for thirty two acres to be laid of a round the house where the said Dodson now lives.

6^th I give to my brother Benjamin B. Horton and sister Francis M. Horton 20 acres of land to live on free of rent for and during the natcherel lives and then to my three sons or their heirs.

7^th It is my wish and desire that the balance of my Stafford lands and my stock of all kinds, household & kitchen furniture to be sold by my Executors and applyed to the payment of my debts, should that not be sufficient to pay my debts Meredith W. Horton is to pay the balance of them out of his proportion.

8^th  I do hereby constitute and appoint John H. O'Rear & Meredith W. Horton Executors of this my last Will and Testament as witness my hand and seal this 23d day of February 1864.

Roy W. Horton {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged by Roy W. Horton as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto signed our names as Witness,

Walter Hore M.D.

Daniel T. Crump [?]

At a Court held for Prince William County October the 2d 1865

This last will and testament of Roy W. Horton decd. Was proven in open Court by the oath of Walter Hore a subscribing witness thereto, who also proved that the signatures of Daniel T. Crump another subscribing witness thereto is the genuine hand writing of said Crump which is ordered to be certified, and at a Quarterly Court held for Prince William County on the 6^th day of November 1865.

The signature of Daniel T. Crump decd. Appended to the will of Roy W. Horton decd. Was this day fully proved by the oath of Robert t. Reeves and thereupon the said Will is ordered to be recorded. 

At a Quarterly Court continued and held for Prince William County on the 7^th day of November 1865 John H. O'Rear one of the Executors named in the last will and testament of Roy W. Horton decd. In open Court renounced the burden of the execution thereof, and M. W. Horton the other executor therein named made oath thereto, and having taken the oath of an Executor, together with Jno. H. O'Rear, Isaac Bridwell and L. E. Horton his securities who justified to their sufficiency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Two Thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs, letters testimony, on the estate of the said decedent are granted him in due form.

Teste, M. B. Sinclair, Clerk

[Note:  Misspellings in the document have been left as is. ~cgl]

Newspaper Tidbit: Family Feud

The Evening Bulletin (Maysville, Kentucky)
July 15, 1892

FAMILY FEUD.  One Near Washington Terminates In a Murder

Washington, July 15. -- There has been a family feud existing between two families living near Dumfries, in Prince William County, Va., for several years, which culminated in murder last Sunday.  It is said by citizens from that section that it is only the beginning of hostilities.

A woods picnic was held at Raccoon hill, near Dumfries, on Saturday last, attended by several hundred people.  Among the attendants were Joseph W. Jones and Thomas Jefferson Florence.  During a dance Jones purposely stepped upon the toes of Florence.

The latter did not resent the insult, and as a further affront Jones stepped on the foot of the lady Florence was dancing with.  This started a quarrel between the two men, which ended in Florence drawing a revolver and firing on Jones, the ball taking effect in his mouth and passing through his brain, killing him instantly.

Florence was arrested by officers who were present, and who hurried him off to jail to avoid lynching by the Jones faction.  Persons from that part of Prince William county say there is intense excitement and more bloodshed is looked for.

Sunday's Obituary: Charles Ming

Alexandria Gazette – February 15, 1855

DIED. On Friday, the 9^th instant, at his residence in Prince William County, Va., Charles Ming, in the 86^th year of his age. The deceased was for many years an inhabitant of Prince William County, Va., where he filled a highly respectable position as Magistrate and High Sheriff.

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Alexandria Gazette – February 7, 1827

Prince William County Court, December 2d, 1823.

Thomas Chapman, late surviving acting executor of Wm. Carr, dec'd., and John Spence, administrator de bonis non, with the will annexed of the said William Carr, dec'd., Complainants

Against

William H. Tebbs and Lydia Tebbs his wife, and Chas. Ming and Victoria Ming, his wife, Defendants.

IN CHANCERY.

This cause came on this day to be hears by consent of parties upon the bill, answers of the defendants, and exhibits, and was argued by counsel; upon consideration whereof, and by like consent, the Court doth adjudge, order and decree, that the defendants Charles Ming and Victoria his wife, be forever barred and foreclosed from all equity of redemption in the mortgaged premises in the bill mentioned. That the part of the tract of land on Broad Run, containing seven hundred acres, belonging to Charles Ming and wife, agreeably to the partition between them and said Wm. H. Tebbs, in the proceedings mentioned, be sold by public auction, to the highest bidder, for cash, by the Commissioner hereinafter named, after giving sixty days notice of the time and place of such sale, in some newspaper printed in the town of Alexandria, and by advertisement at the door of the Court House of Prince William County; and apply the proceeds of such sale first, to the payment of the costs, charges and expenses thereof, and of the execution of this decree, secondly, to the payment of nineteen hundred and sixty-eight dollars and fifty cents, and interest thereon from the date hereof, to the complainan Thomas Chapman or his assignee, and pay over the residue, if any, to the defendant Charles Ming; That John Macrae do carry this decree into effect. But the rights of the complainants in relation to residue of the said mortgaged debt, are reserved, and the Court retains the cause for such further decree in relation to the other defendants and the said Ming and wife, as it may think proper.

A Copy – Teste, P. D. Dawe, C.C.

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VIRGINIA:

At a Superior Court of Chancery held in the town of Fredericksburg, on the 17^th day of May 1826 – Thomas Chapman, surviving executor of William Carr, deceased, Appellant,

Against

William H. Tebbs and Lydia his wife, and Charles Ming and Victoria his wife, Appellees.

Upon an appeal from an order of the County Court of Prince William, in Chancery, pronounced on the 5^th day of April 1824, in a suit in which the appellant was plaintiff, and the appellees were defendants – this day came the parties by their counsel, and the Court having maturely considered the transcript of the record of the order aforesaid and the arguments of counsel, is of opinion, that the said order which suspends the decree for sale of the 2d day of December, 1823, and permits the appellees, Ming and wife, to answer, is erroneous. Therefore it is decreed and ordered, that the same be reversed and annulled; and that the appellees do pay unto the appellant the costs by him expended in the prosecution of his appeal aforesaid here. And this cause is retained in this Court, to be proceeded in according to the decree of the second day of December, 1823.

Costs prosecuting appeal $36 65.

A copy teste, J. H. Williams, C.C.

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In obedience to the foregoing decrees of the County Court of Prince William, and the Superior Court of Chancery for the District of Fredericksburg, I shall, on the first Monday in March next, before the front door of Prince William Court-house, expose to sale to the highest bidder, for ready money, the tract of land of Charles Ming and Victoria his wife, in the first of said decrees mentioned.

Jan 1 – ts

J. Macrae

Will: Victoria Ming

Victoria Ming Will

Prince William County Will Book R, pg 508

In the name of God, Amen ~ I Victoria Ming of the County of Prince William being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and disposing memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of life & being anxious to dispose of all such worldly goods as I am possessed of, I give and bequeath the same as follows, viz.

1^st I desire my funeral expenses & just debts to be paid.

2^nd I give & bequeath all I may be possessed of to my friend Elizabeth Meredith in trust for the benefit of my grand daughter Charlotte F. Chichester both real & personal. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this the 12^th day of May 1863.

Victoria Ming

Witness,

Wm. Green

Charles R. Chichester.

At a court held for Prince William County, April 5^th, 1869

This last will and testament of Victoria Ming was this day produced in Court for Probate and being fully proved by the Oaths of William Green and Charles R. Chichester the subscribing witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded.

Teste

John C. Poor

Clerk

May Events at PWCo Historic Sites

Prince William County Historic Preservation Division Sites are open for the season! 

Beginning Thursday, May 2^nd Brentsville Courthouse, Ben Lomond and Rippon Lodge open for the season.  Tours are from 11am-4pm; Thursday – Monday.  The sites are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Please call the individual sites for specific information.  Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park provides guided tours on the 2^nd and 4^th weekend of every month beginning in May.   

May 4

Historic Preservation Talk and Hard Hat Tour of the Jail

1pm - 3pm; $15 per person, reservations required, not for children under 16

This program will introduce the participant to the idea of “historic preservation” and cover such topics as what makes a building worth saving, examples of saved buildings in the county, and why historic preservation is important, especially for the environment.  Visitors will have an opportunity to go inside the jail during the restoration process focusing on the masonry and if possible the archaeological side of preservation as well, ex., Dovetail.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 703-365-7895

May 9

Lecture: Doughboys off to the Great War

7pm; Free, donations accepted

Area historian, Glenn Hyatt, will present a history of the local men who joined the 2^nd regiment of the 29^th Infantry Division, a unit with linage going back to the Stonewall Brigade of Virginia during the Civil War.  Glen Hyatt, will trace this lineage of their service from the Civil War to WWI. 

Old Manassas Courthouse, 703-792-4754

May 10

Tour: Buckland During the Civil War

7pm; Free, donations accepted

Join Buckland resident David Blake, for a unique lecture and tour of historic Buckland. Dress for the weather, no pets please. Not appropriate for children under 12.  Registered attendees will receive confirmations with meeting details.  Space is limited. Call for reservations.

Historic Preservation 17674 Main Street, Dumfries, VA. 703-792-4754

May 11-12       

Mother's Day Tours at all Prince William County HPD Sites

11am - 4pm; $5 per person, MOTHERS FREE

In honor of Mother's Day, all mothers that visit a Prince William County Historic Preservation Site on Mother's Day weekend will experience a complimentary tour of the site.  If your mom likes history or some stories that would give television drama a run for their money, treat Mom to a visit of a historic site.  Both she and you will enjoy the visit!

Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 703-499-9812

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 703-365-7895

Ben Lomond Historic Site, 703-367-7872

May 11,12,25,26 and June 8,9,22,23

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Guided Tours                                                     

11am - 3pm, tours leave on the hour, donations accepted                                             

Bristoe Station Battlefield staff and volunteers will provide guided tours of the battlefield. Learn about Camp Jones and the two battles that took place here in 1862 and 1863. Tours begin on the hour and depart from the kiosk in the parking lot on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. Last tour at 3pm.  Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets please. 

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 703-366-3049

May 11 and May 25

Potomac Blockade Boat Tour

10:00 am - 1:00 pm, $30 per person, reservations required. 

Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline and view sites that were critical to the Confederate forces’ successful blockade ofWashington D.C. from September 1861 through March 1862. Local historians will discuss the significance of the Blockade and of the gun batteries and camps that supported the Confederate efforts. The cruise will include the preserved batteries at Freestone Point and Possum Nose, as well as Evansport and Shipping Point.  Tour includes lunch and departs from Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge. 

Call 703-792-4754 for reservations. 

May 16, 2013

Lecture:  Investigating a Historic House in Virginia

7pm, Free, donations accepted

Historian, Dr. Dennis Pogue, will give an engaging talk on the tools and methods that historians and architects use to look at historic houses to determine their age, use and their evolution over time.  Dr. Pogue will use his vast experience in working with private and public homes across the country to explain how looking at the history of home can unlock stories of the people who once called it home.  Investigating the history of a home gives us a window to the lives and social customs of our ancestors.

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

May 18

Scout Day

11am - 4pm

$10 per Scout

Calling all Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts!  Spend the day at Rippon Lodge and earn Letterboxer, Making Games or Playing the Past and Gardener.  The requirements for all four badges will be covered while you are here.  All Scouts will get a Rippon Lodge patch for their participation.  Reservations required.  Discounted registration for whole troops.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 703-499-9812

May 18

Sheep Shearing and Animal Husbandry Day at

Historic Brentsville

11am-3pm; $5 per person

During the 19^th century and early 20^th centuries, Brentsville and the surrounding areas were home to many farms and families raising sheep.  Wool was a significant resource and many farmers earned their living raising sheep along with feed crops.  Come learn the importance of sheep and animal husbandry in Prince William County.  Hands on activities include modern sheep shearing, carding wool, and simple spinning demonstrations.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 703-365-7895

May 18                                              

Garden Tea at the Ben Lomond Antique Rose

Garden                                              

1pm–3pm; $20 per person                              

Celebrate the arrival of spring by spending a wonderful afternoon in the antique rose garden at Ben Lomond enjoying historic tea.  Price of admission includes tea, light refreshments, and a special talk about roses and spring flowers in the largest antique rose garden in theWashington D.C. metro area.  Reservations required. Spaces are limited and will fill up fast.  The main house will be open to tours after tea.

Ben Lomond Historic Site, 703-367-7872

May 23

Lecture: Operation Market Garden

7pm; Free, donations accepted

On September 17, 1944 thousands of paratroopers descended from the sky behind enemy lines. Their goal: to secure to bridges across the rivers in Holland so that the Allied army could advance. If it went as planned, Operation Market Garden should have ended the war by Christmas 1944. Unfortunately this daring plan didn't have the expected outcome. Military historian, Ron Mayer will cover this flawed operation describing how, when, where and why the Operation failed.

Old Manassas Courthouse, 703-792-4754

May 25                                                          

Wildlife Walk at Bristoe Station Battlefield

9am – 11am, $5 per person     

Bristoe Station Battlefield is home to a complex meadow ecosystem.  Join outdoor experts on a guided walk of the battlefield.  Learn about the beneficial wildlife especially the birds and butterflies that call this ecosystem home.  Learn to identify the plants that these birds and butterflies need for food and shelter.  Bring binoculars. The tour departs from the kiosk in the parking lot at Iron Brigade Unit Aveand 10th Alabama Way.  Where comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.  No pets please. 

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 703-366-3049

To learn more about historic preservation in Prince William County or to become a volunteer please visit  PWHPF's website atwww.pwcgov.org/historicpreservation

Or call 703-792-4754 or email historicpreservation@pwcgov.org

Sunday's Obituary: Allen Herring

Richmond Times Dispatch - January 20, 1924

CONFEDERATE DIES AT AGE OF 94

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY VETERAN'S LONG CAREER ENDS.

FREDERICKSBURG, VA. Jan. 19. -- Allen Herring died at his home at Nokesville, Prince William County, Tuesday night at the ripe age of 94 years and six months.  He served in the Confederate Army and after its close took a prominent part in the affairs of this community.  Mr. Herring was married three times and is survived by eight children, fifty grandchildren and fifth-four great-grandchildren.  His children are Hastin, Judson, and Joseph Herring, of Nokesville; Mrs. Jennie Weaver, Mrs. Lucy Shaffer and Mrs. Mamie Forman, of Johnston, Pa.; Mrs. Florence Forman, of Washington; Mrs. Nettie Wood, of Nokesville.

[Henry Allen Herring is buried in Valley View Cemetery in Nokesville, Prince William County, Virginia.  The link to his memorial on Findagrave.com can be found here. ~cgl]