Civil War Sesquicentennial

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War.  The First Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run, depending on what side you were on) took place on July 21, 1861 and was the first major land battle of the war.

The Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, formed by Prince William County and the City of Manassas, have scheduled a number of events throughout the year, especially in July.

For those researching their Civil War ancestors, I highly recommend the Civil War Soldiers and Sailor System.  This site is easy to use, free, and includes the ability to search a CW soldier or sailor by name, state, regiment, etc.  There is also a resource to search for prisoners of Andersonville and Fort McHenry.

To learn more about the Sesquicentennial events in 2011 in Prince William County, information can be found at www.virginiacivilwar.org, www.pwcgov.org/historicsites, www.visitmanassas.org, and www.nps.gov/mana.

GIVE ME THE CHOCOLATES ANY DAY

Not everyone’s idea of romance but at the Bronx Zoo in New York they are offering you the chance of naming a cockroach after your loved one. “Chocolates melt. Roaches are forever,” the zoo’s website says.

Forgive me, but who would you ever confide that romantic gesture to, apart from a divorce lawyer?

MISTRESS FETCHES £25 MILLION

It is said that every cloud has a silver lining and sometimes even thunderstorms do too. Taking a lesson from the world of 20th Century art, I would therefore like to offer some advice to any woman who believes her husband may be having an affair: get him to painting classes, quickly! Pablo Picasso painted his mistress and the picture sold this week for £25 million. Now just think what your husband might be able to earn from his works of art. If it is all going to end in tears, at least the funds to be divided between you could be substantially supplemented or alternatively you could accept a couple of his canvasses as part of your financial settlement and store them in your attic until the time for auction is right.

Will: Philip DAWE

PHILIP DAWE Will

Prince William County Will Book I, pg. 415

21 Dec 1808; proved 02 Jan 1809

I PHILIP DAWE of the Town of Dumfries do declare this to be my last will and testament.

1^st my will and desire is that all my just debts be first paid.  2ndly I give and bequeath to my dear wife during her natural life as follows the house & lot on which I now reside including the corner house on Water Street & the ground attached to it the tract of land about a mile and a half from Dumfries called Cabbin Branch Farm & negroes CATY, FRANK, & ROBERT.  I further give unto my dear wife one hundred dollars cash.  3rdly I give unto my brother WILLIAM DAWE of London one hundred pounds to him and his heirs forever.  4^th I give unto my son WILLIAM DAWE my shop & all my tools belonging to the watch & silver smiths business.  5^th The residue of my estate both real and personal I desire may be divided into six equal parts by valuation and that four of my six children viz. BETSY JOHNSTON, NANCY DAWE, PHILIP DEVEREX DAWE & WILLIAM DAWE each receive to themselves & their heirs forever one sixth part of said division & that the other two sixth parts I give & bequeath to my two sons PHILIP DEVEREX DAWE & WILLIAM DAWE in trust for my daughters JANEY WILLIAMS & POLLY HEDGES during their lives & then to their children viz. the profits arising from the one sixth in trust for my daughter JANEY WILLIAMS to be applied to her use & the other sixth in the same manner to POLLY HEDGES in both cases as my trustees may think proper.  Lastly I constitute and appoint my two sons PHILIP DEVEREX DAWE & WILLIAM DAWE Executors of this my last will and testament.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 21^st day of December eighteen hundred & eight.

PHILIP DAWE  {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of

JOHN SPENCE

WILLIAM SMITH

THOMAS CHAPMAN

JOSEPH R. GILBERT

At a Court held for Prince William County January 2^nd 1809

This last will and testament of PHILIP DAWE decd was presented in Court and being proved by the oaths of WILLIAM SMITH and THOMAS CHAPMAN is ordered to be recorded and the Executors therein named made oath to the same according to the law and having taken the oath of Exors. And performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste

J. WILLIAMS  Ct. Cur.

ANOTHER VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE

It is somewhat ironic that the consultation period set by the Government in relation to its plans to slash the Legal Aid budget closes on Valentine's Day, especially when it is the person encountering matrimonial difficulties who is potentially going to be hit hardest by the proposals. Resolution remains deeply concerned that the proposed changes will make it practically impossible to gain the legal advice, representation and court encouraged settlement or decisions that many people genuinely need and will result in unfair outcomes. The proposals will deny access to justice to people who need it at one of the most stressful and difficult times of their lives with potentially devastating consequences on families and children.

The Green Paper proposes that Legal Aid should no longer be available for people wishing to divorce or people whose partner wishes to divorce them and, unless there has been recent domestic violence (defined narrowly), for:
People who need legal assistance with sorting out the finances on divorce
Parents who need legal assistance in arranging contact with their children
Cohabitants where one partner needs help to claim a share of the family home

Whilst I have not undertaken legal aid work for over 12 years, I support Resolution in contending that:

1. The cuts don’t have to be made; it is a political choice to cut legal aid, not a necessity.


2. The Legal aid budget has been frozen in cash terms since 2004 despite massive increases in the volume of cases lawyers have had to handle. It accounts for less than one third of one percent of public expenditure, or one third of the annual increase in the health service budget.


3. The impact assessment shows the cuts will have a greater impact on women and the black and minority ethnic community (BAME) as 59% of legal aid clients are female and 26% BAME


4. The focus should be on reducing complex laws and procedures to help reduce the cost of justice.


5. There will be many knock on effects of these cuts leading to increased costs in other parts of the justice system and health and social services.


6. The purpose of legal aid is to ensure that nobody is unable to enforce or defend their rights for want of the resources to do so.


7. Legal aid clients are some of the most vulnerable in society and good legal representation where required is essential if they are to obtain justice
   
   

Virginia Historical Society

If you're in Richmond, I highly recommend a visit to the Virginia Historical Society at 428 North Boulevard. 

In addition to special exhibits, the Society's collections "consist of a wide range of objects, including books and bound serials, Confederate imprints, sheet music, broadsides, newspapers, family and personal papers, business and organizational records, genealogical materials, maps, paintings, prints, postcards, weapons, militaria, glass plate negatives, and 19th - 21st century photographs."

You can search the catalog of the Society's collections by keyword(s) here.  Library materials can only be examined in the Society's reading room. An appointment or prior notification is not needed.

Outdated Medical Terminology

How many of us have encountered a confusing "cause of death" in their research? 

What is apoplexy?  In modern terminology, it means "stroke."

Ever heard of jail fever?  Possibly not, but I'm betting you have heard of typhus.

Here's a resource that comes in handy when reading those terms and others in old obituaries and death certificates:  Outdated Medical Terminology.

While you're at it, why not check out the Surgeon General's Family Health History Initiative, a national public health campaign "to encourage all American families to learn more about their family health history."