Tuesday, July 24, 2012

August Events at PWCo Historic Sites

August 8
Family Night
6 p.m.- 8 p.m.; FREE
Learn about the importance of an herb garden, both past and present.  Herbs continue to have many uses, from fragrances in perfumes to ingredients to treatments in modern medicine.  Children can pick herbs from Ben Lomond’s herb garden and make their very own lavender sachet.
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas, VA 20109; 703-367-7872

August 6-10
Basic Civil War Camp
9 a.m. – noon; ages 8 – 12, $130 per child; reservations required
Children will participate in activities designed to develop a better understanding of soldier life during the American Civil War. Activities include “Enlist in Virginia’s Army”, “Life in Camp,” “Infantry Drill,” “Did Civil War Soldiers Really Eat that Stuff?”, “Civil War Medicine” and a field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136; 703-365-7895

August 11
Family History Day- Let’s Play a Game
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $7 per person, children under 6 free
Play the games that children played before there were batteries.  Learn how to play graces, hoops and sticks, 19th century rules baseball, skin the snake, and many more. 
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, 703-499-9812

August 11,12,25,26
Bristoe Station Battlefield Guided Tours
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., 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 3 pm.  Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets please.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, The parking lot is located off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave., Bristow, VA 20136, (703) 366-3049

August 17
Potomac River Blockade Boat Tours
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; $30.00 per person; reservations required
Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline and view sites that were critical to the Confederate forces’ successful blockade of Washington D.C. from September 1861 through March 1862. Local historians will discuss the significance of the blockade, 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 sandwiches.  No pets please. Not appropriate for children under six. Please call 703-792-4754 for more information and reservations.

August 18
Stonewall Jackson’s Bold Sweep:  Second Manassas One Day Bus Tour
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; $85, reservations required, space is limited
To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas, the tour will detail Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson’s famous flank march around the Union army in August 1862.  This march led to the largest battle in Prince William County and Northern Virginia, resulting in over 18,000 casualties.  The tour will visit sites along Jackson’s march such as Jeffersonton, Orlean, Marshall, Thoroughfare Gap, Bristoe Station, Conner House and the Brawner Farm on Manassas National Battlefield Park.  Cost includes transportation, admission to all sites and a boxed lunch.
Ben Lomond Historic Site, mailing address: 17674 Main St., Dumfries, VA 22026; 703-367-7872

August 18        
Nature Trail Walk
1:00 p.m.; $5 per person, free for children under six
Take a guided tour along the nature trails at Brentsville and learn about plants and animals that live in this part of Virginia. 
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136, (703) 365-7895

August 20-24
Advanced Civil War Camp
 9 a.m. – noon Ages 8 – 13, $150 per child, reservations required
Children will participate in activities built on fundamentals that they learned during the Basic Civil War Summer Camp (see July 16- 20, August 6-10 ). Participants will drill their peers, learn an artillery drill, explore non commissioned officers’ administrative responsibilities, spend a day with Confederate General Robert E. Lee and take a field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Participants MUST have attended the Basic Civil War Summer Camp.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136; 703-365-7895

August 23
Fireside Stories at Ben Lomond:  “With Fire in His Young Eye”
Decimus Et. Ultimus Barziza descended from Virginia aristocracy, fought with the 4th Texas and escaped from a Union prison to become a pinnacle of anti-reconstruction post- war politics. Come hear about his life, one similar to those Confederates who fought in and around Prince William County 150 years ago this month.
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas, VA 20109; 703-367-7872

August 25-26
150th Anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Run Commemorative Weekend
Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., FREE, donations accepted
On August 27, 1862, Federal and Confederate forces clashed for the first time at Bristoe Station.  This battle set the stage for the Second Battle of Manassas, which took place the next day.  Join local historians on the 150th Anniversary for in-depth tours, living history and special programs concentrating on the action here at Bristoe Station in August 1862.  You'll have a chance to see the newly installed Battle of Kettle Run interpretive markers along the newly improved battlefield trail.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. No pets please.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, The parking lot is located off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave., Bristow, VA 20136, (703) 366-3049

August 25
150th Anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Run Luminary
Saturday, 8:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m., $10.00 per person
On August 27, 1862, Federal and Confederate soldiers fought at Bristoe Station.  While not as large as Second Manassas, the Battle of Kettle Run was just as deadly for the soldiers involved and just as devastating for the families.  The units that fought at Bristoe suffered heavy casualties.  Join us for a special Luminary walking tour and hear moving stories of the battle’s impact on families far from the battlefields of Virginia.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. No pets please.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, The parking lot is located off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave., Bristow, VA 20136, (703) 366-3049

August 25        
Storytime at Brentsville
1:00 p.m.; $2 per child
Join Brentsville staff for children’s stories about local history, people, and events.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Rd., Bristow, VA 20136, (703) 365-7895

August 28 – 30
History Mini Camp
9:00 a.m. – Noon, $20 per day or $50 for all three days, ages 8-12
Explore the daily lives of kids living in Prince William County in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.  Every day will feature a different time period.  Activities will include crafts, games, history, music, food and much more. Registration required.
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, 703-499-9812

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Real Estate in 1907

Here's an interesting peek at the Prince William County real estate market more than 100 years ago, when the county was still largely farmland.


Washington Post – March 31, 1907

VIRGINIA ESTATE SOLD.  "Waverly" Bought by Baltimore Business Man for $10,000 Cash.

Country as well as city property is reported to be in active demand.  The betterment of railroad and electric traction facilities in the territory around Washington has made property in this vicinity especially attractive.

The Soule Company has sold, for Edward O'Kolb, of Philadelphia, his plantation, in Westmoreland County, Va., known as "Waverly," containing 1,500 acres.  The purchaser was a Baltimore business man, who paid $10,000 cash for the property.

Among the other recent sales made by the Soule Company are the following:

For D. D. Pierce, mill property in Clark County, Va., $4,500.
For Virgil G. Williams, 500 acres in Prince William County, Va., $2,500.
For Lucy A. Platt, house in Kensington, $1,500.
For James P. Tolman, two acres and house at Suitland, $1,200.
For Georgie H. Hale, thirty-five acres at Glendale, $2,500.
For Charles Ennis, 152 acres in Prince William County, Va., $1,300.
For Samuel J. Trammell, farm in Fairfax County, Va., $1,200.
For James Kagle, farm in Prince George County, Md., $750.
For Mrs. A. Denty, thirty acres at Pohick, Va., $700.
For C. A. Czarra, house at Mount Rainier, $4,500.
For J. A. Japhet, house at College Park, $7,000.
For Mary E. Johnson, 200 Bryant street, $4,500.
For C. J. Hess, house at Ballston, $2,000.
For Helen M. Soule, house at Berwyn, $1,800.
For Ella J. Jones, two lots at Berwyn, $400.
For George McvDaniel, farm near Herndon, Va., $3,500.
For Henry S. Crowell, 20 D street southeast, $1,800.
For the Stonnell heirs, 643 acres in Prince William County, Va., $4,000.
For Mrs. A. E. Remsberg, fifty-seven acres in Fairfax county, Va., $1,500.
For Anton Texter, 705 acres in Prince William County, Va., $4,000.
For Mrs. Alex Denty, farm in Fairfax county, Va., $2,000.
For M. L. Croxall, 150 Francis street, $700.
For O. H. Post, house at Glendale, $1,400.
For Elizabeth F. Caldwell, 3136 T street  northwest, $2,500.
For Mrs. M. E. Miller, house at Woodside, $2,000.
For Alice G. Wormwood, fifty acres in Prince George County, Md., $2,500.
For Dr. H. A. Johnson, fifty-seven acres at Herndon, Va., $5,000.
For the heirs of Anna A. Walshe, house at Wesley heights, $4,000.
For William P. Frye, farm in Berkley County, Va., $6,500.
For the Stonnell heirs, 210 acres in Prince William County, Va., $600.
For Dr. H. A. Johnson, thirty-seven acres at Herndon, Va., $6,000.


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Newspaper Tidbits: Periodicals Outside of PWCo


Richmond Planet – August 9, 1890

Rev. M. D. Williams of Manassas, Va. Writes:

            Manassas, Va., July 29, 1890.

Editor of the Planet:
            We are raising funds to beautify our house of worship here.  On Sunday last Rev. Rice, of Alexandria, and Rev. W. Harris were with us, collections raised amounted to $31.33 cents.  The North Virginia Baptist Association meets in Middleburg, Loudon county, Va., on the 20th of August.
            I preached the funeral of Miss Kate Fletcher daughter of Brother Frank Fletcher, Thoroughfare Station, Prince William County.  She departed this life on the 20th of July, in her 20th year. She died a Christian.
            Yours:  M. D. Williams




Roanoke Daily Times – September 20, 1896

VIRGINIA BREVITIES.  A pretty wedding was solemnized at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Manassas Wednesday.  The parties were John S. Wilson, prominent merchant of Paris, Fauquier county, and Miss Maud E., daughter of the late Judge Aylett Nicol, of the county court of Prince William county, and sister of Judge Charles E. Nicol.


The Free Lance (Fredericksburg, VA) – December 29, 1900

Mr. Andrew J. Davis formerly of Prince William county, died in Washington last week at an advanced age.  His remains were taken to Brentsville for interment.


The Richmond Dispatch – April 21, 1901

Eppa Hunton, Jr., who has been nominated for the convention by the Democrats of Fauquier, is a son of General Eppa Hunton and Lucy Wier Hunton, and was born at Brentsville, Prince William county, April 14, 1855.  He was prepared for the University of Virginia at the Bellevue High School, Bedford county, and entered the University in the autumn of 1873, and received his diploma in the law department in 1877.  Soon after graduation the young attorney located at Warrenton, and has there diligently devoted himself to his profession ever since, achieving advancement therein.  He has never sought nor held political office, with the exception of a term in the Legislature, 1893-'94, to which he was elected by the Democrats of Fauquier and Loudoun counties.  His nomination for the convention was practically without opposition.


The St. Paul Globe (Minnesota) – June 10, 1902

A letter of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, dated Headquarters A. N. Va., Jan 31, 1863 and complimenting "Sergeant Mickler and his party" for gallantry "in a skirmish in the streets of Brentsville on the 9th inst." Sold for $5.


The Colored American (Washington, DC) – September 20, 1902

Miss Estelle V. Hedgeman, of Brentsville, Va., has returned home after spending a few days in the city with friends.  She will shortly resume her residence here.  Miss Hedgeman was formerly employed in the Census, and is the owner of a farm near Brentsville.