Recovering Rare Documents & Local History with Don Wilson
By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director
It is impossible to not come across Donald L. Wilson (1943-2023) in HDVI’s archives, collections, and Lee Lansing Research Library. Not only did he provide much of our resources and knowledge on Prince William County history, family history, and local history resources, he arranged for our historic society to receive books, transcriptions and extracts/abstracts of court records, and first-person accounts to help Dumfries history flourish.
(Map of Prince William County, Virginia: compiled from U.S. Geological Survey and other data and corrected with the assistance of reliable residents of the county, 1901, via Library of Congress Geography and Map Division)
“During a visit to the Archive Room, at the basement of the County Courthouse, on April 24, I had an opportunity to take stock of what old record books are currently on file there. Original deed, will, and minute books that survive from the 18th and 19th centuries are mostly there.
While leafing through Court Order Book [10], 1755-1757, I found a loose document tucked between pages 6 and 7. It turned out to be a contemporary copy, perhaps the original copy, of a deed dated 1747. Why it was left there is unknown but it should have been recorded in Deed Book K (1746-1748) which has been missing since the Civil War. Following is an abstract of the document:
Indenture, 24 July 1747, between John Frogg of Hamilton Parish, Prince William County, gentleman, and James Keith of the said same parish and county, clerk [minister]. Consideration: 5 shillings sterling paid by said James Keith. All that part of two parts or parcels of land in Hamilton Parish (formerly granted to said John Frogg by the Hon. Thomas Lord Fairfax by two deeds or grants, one dated 30 Dec. 1742, the other 29 Mar. 1744) containing 1509 acres according to a survey thereof lately made by George Byrne, surveyor of said county of Prince William. Beginning at two white oaks and a red oak standing on S side of a small branch called battle branch which is a small branch of Trap branch, the said trees being also beginning of Lamberts land and a corner of the land of Shumate and also a tract of land sold by said John Frogg to John Madison extending thence with the line of Lambert S 56½° W 218 poles to a chestnut corner of Lambert’s lines S 5½° E 83 poles to a white oak corner of Lamberts; thence with another of Lamberts lines S 16° W 242 poles to a red oak on the brown of an hill corner to the said Lamberts; thence with another of his lines S 15½° E 364 poles to a white oak and red oak Lamberts corner near a branch side; thence S 74° E 30 poles to 2 white oaks corner of Lambert and John Peyton and the beginning of one of the said John Frogg’s deeds abovementioned; thence S 58° W 148 poles to a white oak, red oak and a hickory corners to Peyton on an hill side; thence N 72° W 91 poles to a white oak by a branch side; thence N 20° W 105 poles to a red oak; thence N 38° E 80 poles to a white oak; thence N 12° W 106 poles to 3 chestnut saplins in Bells line; thence with said line N 41° E 66 poles to a stake corner to Bell and Mr. James Scott; thence with said Scotts line N 19° E 100 poles to an hickory his corner; thence N 40° E 54 poles to a large chestnut another of his corners; thence N 40° E 54 poles to a large chesnut another of his corners; thence N 22° W 310 poles to a Spanish oak on a ridge another of his corners; thence N22½° E 140 poles to 2 white oaks on the W side of a branch; thence N 58½° W 46 poles to an hickory another of the said Scotts corners in or near the line of Skinker on the S side of a branch; thence with or near Skinkers line N 20° W 17 poles crossing a branch at the end of the said distance to a white oak corner of Skinker on the branch side; thence with said Skinkers line N 45° W 192 poles to a Spanish oak on the E side of a branch corner of Skinker; thence crossing the branch W 78 poles with the line of Gibsons land to a chesnut his corner; thence N 6½° W 98 poles to a red oak at the head of a valley then N 70° E 160 poles to a red oak marked SN the westmost corner of Nolin’s land and the beginning of said Gibson’s land; thence with the land of said Nolin’s land and the beginning of said Gibson’s land; thence with the land of said Nolins S 78° E 592 poles to the side of Trap branch; thence binding on said branch and extending up the same the several courses and meanders thereof to the mouth of Battle branch; thence up Battle branch S 53° E 26 poles to the beginning; with all the plantations, houses (etc.) to said James Keith his executors etc. from 1st day of this instant July for 1 year. Paying 1 peppercorn upon the Feast of St. Michael if demanded. [Wording indicates that a release is intended as well as the lease.] Signed: John Frogg. Wit: And’r Rose, Daniel Campbell, Robert Peter, William Grant. Acknowledged at court 27 July 1747. Test: P. Wagener, Clerk. A copy, teste J. Williams, Cl. Cur.
[My earlier statement that this might be the original copy is in error. This copy was made by clerk John Williams who served at Dumfries 1795-1813. Since the land now falls with Fauquier County it perhaps was involved in a land cause before the Dumfries District Superior Court. James Keith was minister of Hamilton Parish from 1736 to 1751. It may be of interest that he was also the maternal grandfather of John Marshall, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. This tract may represent the Hamilton Parish glebe granted to Keith after Dettingen Parish was cut off in 1745. The vestry book of Hamilton Parish is said to have been destroyed by vandals during the 19th century. IT is not clear what became of the register of births, marriages and deaths for that time. Could it have been handed down among Keith’s family papers?]
Beside for the recovery of previous lost information, Wilson’s transcription and analysis also provide wonderful insights into the financial and religious life of early Prince William County residents. The Feast of Michael and All Angels, Michaelmas, continues to be celebrated on the 29th of September every year. Associated with the beginning of autumn, it was known as a “quarter day,” and these dates (along with 03/25, 06/24, 12/25) were designated as the “start” dates to hire servants, pay rent, or begin new leases. Michaelmas was seen as the start date of a new productive season of farming and business as people paid debts and elected new magistrates in Great Britain. Identified as an angelic warrior actively fighting evil, St. Michael served as protection against the darker and colder days with the eventual incoming winter season. Fun British folklore associated with the old calendar of Michaelmas, 10/10: supposedly the last day one should pick blackberries as Lucifer fell from the heavens this day and landed on a blackberry bush. After cursing, scorching, spitting, stamping, and well throwing a general tantrum, he made them unfit for consumption.
Wilson’s excitement, enthusiasm, commitment to historic accuracy, and persistence in sharing historic resources, and helping families trace their origins has made a monumental impact in Prince William County and Virginia. By providing a transcript of this one recovered document, we offer researchers, families, and folklorists a unique perspective of early Prince William County history.
Note: RELIC offers delightful accessible digital resources as well as educational programs. Click here to access their online historic records. Click here to see their upcoming programs.
(Sources: HDVI Archives: Prince William County. Wilson, Don. Early Prince William County Deed Found; Johnson, Ben. Michaelmas. Historic UK: The History & Heritage Accommodation Guide, https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Michaelmas/)
