Library of Virginia Chancery Records Scanned, More Coming

I found something hot yesterday that I did not know existed. I was almost ashamed when I found it, for the fact that I did not realize it was there all of this time. I consider myself an expert on the holdings of the Library of Virginia, I even volunteered there for almost a year. I just could not believe that I missed their project for scanning chancery court records. These are free, online records for anyone to use. Be warned that the records can be very long, some more than 1,000 pages, and they can get very addictive!

Here is the deal, the Library has scanned several counties and are working on the rest. If you do not know, a chancery cause is basically a court case where there is no clear cut law to decide who is right or wrong in a civil case. All of the evidence is gathered and presented to a judge who rules on that evidence. This can include old wills, deeds, Bible records, letters, anything to help win your case. I will give an example of a chancery cause that I found in my family...

Ann's husband died and she sold twenty acres of their farm to one of their freed slaves. Twenty years later, after Ann's death, one of her children decided that they wanted the twenty acres back but the freed slave had sold the land to a white family ten years ago. They all go to chancery court and the judge rules that Ann had no right to sell the property because 2/3 of it belonged to the heirs of her husband. Furthermore the freed slaves had no right to purchase property so the sale was doubly invalid. The white family had to give the land back to Ann's estate and had no recourse since the original sale was not valid. That is a true chancery cause as no clear-cut law applied to the situation. It took a judge's understanding of the laws to come to a conclusion.

Anyway, the Library of Virginia has already scanned the causes for the following areas:

• Alexandria City
• Caroline County
• Fauquier County
• Hanover County
• King & Queen County
• Lancaster County
• Middlesex County
• New Kent County
• Northampton County
• Prince William County
• Rockbridge County (some)
• Shenandoah County
• Staunton City

These areas are in the process of being scanned at this time:

• Amelia County
• Cumberland County
• Page County
• Rockbridge County (some)

You can check out the records at this link: Library of Virginia Chancery Causes

Hanover County Confederate Civil War memorial, including surnames of soldiers

I drove to Ashland in Hanover County and decided to swing by the courthouse and take photos of their Civil War memorial. I have several relatives that are named on the monument, including my great-great-grandfather, Joseph A. Vass. After taking the photos, I decided to transcribe all of the last names onto the blog. I will also include photos of all sides of the monument.

I am only including last names, not the initials for given and middle names. I am also not including anything about rank or information about injury or death. All of these items are mentioned on the actual monument. If you see a surname of interest, you can look at the photos for more information. The monument has names on all four sides so you should check all of the photos.

The monument reads:

Hanover to her Confederate soldiers and to her noble women who loved them, 1861-65

Units included on the monument are as follows:

• Hanover Troop, Company G, 4th Virginia Cavalry
• Morris' Artillery, Coleman's, Page's, Montgomery's Battery Artillery
• Hanover Artillery, Nelson's
• Ashland Artillery, Woolfolk's
• 15th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company C, Patrick Henry Rifles
• 15th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company E, Ashland Grays
• 15th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company I, Hanover Grays
• 56th Regiment Virginia Infantry, Company K, Harrison's Guards
• Other

As a note, a star on the photos means killed. An arrow means wounded and a cross means that the person died in service.

There were 379 different surnames on the monument and are as follows:


Acree, Adams, Alexander, Allen, Allison, Anderson, Andrew, Anthony, Armstrong, Arnold, Atkins, Atkinson, Bailey, Baker, Banker, Barker, Barley, Barnett, Barrett, Bartlett, Basket, Batkins, Baughan, Beadles, Beale, Benson, Berkeley, Binford, Blackburn, Blackwell, Blake, Blanton, Blaylock, Blunt, Bourne, Bowe, Bowles, Boyd, Bridges, Brock, Brooks, Brown, Browning, Broyles, Bryce, Buchanan, Buckley, Bullock, Bumpass, Burch, Burnett, Burton, Butler, Cardwell, Carlton, Carpenter, Carter, Carver, Cason, Catlin, Cauthorn, Chadwick, Chandler, Chapman, Chewning, Childress, Chisholm, Christian, Christmas, Clarke, Clopton, Cocke, Coleman, Collins, Connor, Cook, Cooke, Corbin, Corker, Corr, Cosby, Cottrell, Cox, Crenshaw, Crew, Cross, Crump, Crutchfield, Curtis, Dabney, Daniels, Darracott, Davidson, Davis, Day, Deitrick, Dick, Dickinson, Donahoe, Doswell, Duke, Dunn, Dunn, Durvin, Dyson, Earnest, Eddleton, Edwards, Ellerson, Ellett, Ellis, Elmer, England, Estes, Eubank, Farloin, Farmer, Fields, Finn, Fleming, Flippo, Fontaine, Ford, Foster, Francis, Frazier, Furry, Gaines, Gardner, Garnett, Garthright, Gary, Gary, Gayle, Gentry, Gibson, Gillespie, Gilman, Gilson, Glass, Glazebrook, Glenn, Glinn, Goodall, Goodman, Gouldin, Govers, Graves, Green, Green, Griffin, Grimes, Grogan, Grubbs, Grymes, Gwathmey, Haines, Hall, Hancock, Hanna, Hardgrove, Hardin, Hargrove, Harlow, Harper, Harris, Harrison, Hart, Harwood, Haw, Hazelgrove, Heath, Hendrick, Higgins, Higginson, Hill, Hogan, Holdman, Holloway, Hooper, Hope, Horne, Hoskins, Hott, Howle, Hudgins, Huffman, Hughes, Hundley, Ingram, Irby, Isbell, Jackson, James, Jarvis, Jeffries, Jenkins, Jeter, Johnson, Jones, Keen, Kelley, Kent, Kersey, Kimborough, Kimbrough, King, Korb, Lain, Lambert, Lane, Lawrence, Layne, Leadbetter, Leitch, Lipscomb, Lively, Livesay, Long, Longan, Loving, Lowry, Luck, Lumpkin, Maddox, Madison, Mallory, Mantlo, Marks, Marshall, Martin, Mason, Massie, McAllister, McDaniel, McDowell, McGee, McGhee, McGregor, McMurdo, Melton, Meredith, Mettert, Middlebrooks, Miller, Mills, Minor, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moody, Moore, Moran, Morris, Mosby, Motley, Murphy, Nash, Nelson, Newton, Noel, Noland, Normant, Norment, Nuckols, Nunnaly, O'Brien, Oliver, Otey, Owens, Page, Parrish, Parsley, Pate, Patman, Patterson, Payne, Peace, Penn, Perkins, Perrin, Perry, Phillips, Pleasants, Poindexter, Pollard, Price, Priddy, Prior, Puller, Pulliam, Puryear, Ragland, Redd, Reynolds, Rice, Richardson, Ronquist, Rowzey, Ruffin, Sacra, Sadler, Saunders, Shelburne, Shelton, Short, Sims, Sitman, Sizer, Slaughter, Smith, Snead, Southard, Southward, Southworth, Spencer, Spicer, Spinlde, Stanley, Starke, Stewart, Stone, Stringfellow, Strong,, Sullens, Sullivan, Sutton, Swift, Sydnor, Taliaferro, Talley, Tate, Taylor, Temple, Terrell, Terry, Terry, Thacker, Thomas, Thompson, Thornton, Tiller, Timberlake, Tinsley, Toler, Tomkies, Tomlin, Travers, Trevillian, Truel, Trueman, Tucker, Turner, Tyler, Vass, Vaughan, Via, Wade, Waid, Waldrop, Warren, Wash, West, Wheat, White, Wicker, Wickham, Wilkinson, Williamson, Wiltshire, Wingfield, Winn, Winston, Wood, Woodson, Woody, Woolfolk, Wright, Wyatt, Yarborough

Henry & Lucy Jackson Hailey Vass of Spotsylvania, Caroline & Hanover

Henry was probably born in Spotsylvania County at the turn of the nineteenth century. He was not well educated and never learned to read or write. He and Lucy were married by pastor John Billingsley of Massaponax Baptist Church, located to the south of Fredericksburg and east of the county courthouse. The church was founded in 1788 and is still active, although in a newer building and location.

During their marriage, Henry and Lucy had at least nine children. They had three daughters; Elizabeth J. Vass, Rachel A. Vass and Mary Frances Vass Taylor. They also had six sons; Benjamin W., John W., Henry Jackson Clay, Thomas Josiah, James Philip and Joseph A. Vass. Several of the boys served during the Civil War and their names appear on the Confederate monument at Hanover Courthouse.

Henry and Lucy purchased a one hundred and fifty acre farm from Thomas and Elizabeth Duerson in November of 1837 for $450. It was located in Spotsylvania, beside the farm of Lucy's father, John Hailey. The Vasses sold the property to Boswell S. Fleming for five hundred dollars in December of 1849, shortly after their move to Caroline County.

Henry and Lucy lived in Caroline, a county adjoining Spotsylvania to its south, for nearly twenty years. Henry and a few slaves farmed their land while he also managed farms for other families in the area. They eventually moved to Ashland of Hanover County where Henry continued to work in farming.

The Vass home in Ashland was located on present-day Maple Street between Route 1 and Ashcake Road, near the modern Ashland Christian Center. The home no longer exists and locals do not know of any family cemetery in the area.

Considering the time of their deaths, it is likely that Henry and Lucy were buried in Woodland Cemetery near Ashland. Early burials of the cemetery were not well documented and there are many unmarked graves. A large number of their descendants are buried in this graveyard, including at least three of their children.

_______________________________

Henry Vass was born between 1798–1799 in Virginia and died after June 1860.

Lucy Jackson Hailey Vass was born between 1804–1805 in Virginia died on June 15, 1878 in Hanover County. She was a member of the Baptist church for more than fifty years.

Wyatt Obituaries from Richmond Virginia

Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 23, 1925:
"WYATT - Died, Tuesday, December 22nd, 1925, at 4:25 P. M., at his residence, 618 South Belvidere Street, Thomas H. Wyatt. Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Mrs. A. M. Wells, Mrs. Charles R. Turner and Mrs. O. V. Carter; also three sons, Jos. L., Thos. D. and Jno. A. Wyatt. The funeral will take place Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the above residence. Interment in Riverview."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 24, 1925:
"WYATT - The funeral of Mr. Thomas H. Wyatt, of 618 South Belvidere Street, will take place this (Thursday) afternoon at 2 o'clock, from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, instead of from the residence as previously advertised."

Richmond Dispatch, October 9, 1889:
"WYATT - Died, at 12:10 o'clock A. M., Tuesday, October 8, 1889, at the residence of her mother, Mrs. Rachel Ann Harris, 627 Belvidere street, in the thirty-fifth year of her age, VIRGINIA FLEMING, beloved wife of Thomas H. Wyatt. The funeral services were held yesterday and the interment will take place TO-DAY at Aspen Grove, Hanover county, the residence of Mrs. Elizabeth Wyatt."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 25, 1934:
"WYATT - Died Saturday, November 24, 1934, at 4 P.M. at the residence of her son, 3329 Parkwood Avenue, Mrs. Susie Layne Wyatt, wife of the late Thomas Henry Wyatt. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. A. M. Wells, Mrs. C. R. Turner and Mrs. Jane Carter, three sons, Thomas D., Joseph L. and John A. Wyatt, one brother, Barton W. Layne of Hanover, Va. and twenty-five grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. The funeral will take place Monday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Interment in Riverview."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 6, 1952:
"WYATT - Died, December 4, 1952, Thomas D. Wyatt of 810 China St. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Julia S. Wyatt; one daughter, Mrs. Lottie Wilkinson; 2 sons, Thomas Earl and Frank Lee Wyatt; one stepson, Alvah G. Blackburn; one brother, Joseph L. Wyatt; three sisters, Mrs. Ollie Mae Wells, Mrs. Janie Carter, and Mrs. Gertie Turner, 17 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. The remains rest at the above residence. Funeral from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Saturday at 3 P.M. Interment in Riverview."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 29, 1907:
"MRS. ANNIE BELLE WYATT - Mrs. Annie Belle Wyatt, wife of Thomas D. Wyatt, died yesterday at her residence, No. 620 South Belvidere Street. The funeral will take place from St. Andrew's Church this afternoon at 5 o'clock, and the interment will be in Riverview Cemetery."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 29, 1907:
"WYATT - Died, Wednesday, August 28th, Mrs. ANNIE BELLE, wife of Thomas D. Wyatt, at her residence, 620 South Belvidere Street. Funeral will take place from St. Andrew's Church THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON at 5 o'clock. Interment in Riverview Cemetery."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 29, 1954:
"EX-POLICE OFFICER HERE SUCCUMBS - J. L. WYATT, 73, SERVED 40 YEARS - Joseph Lee Wyatt, 73, a retired police officer, died Wednesday at his home, 620 South Laurel St. Mr. Wyatt, who joined the force in 1910, had a foot beat in the Main Street business district for many years. For a long time, he was easily distinguished from other policemen by his carefully trimmed goatee. Before joining the police force, Mr. Wyatt worked 14 years at Tredegar Iron Works. For 10 years, early in his law enforcement career, he was assigned to inside work at station houses. He retired from the force in July, 1950, after spending nearly 40 years as a policeman. He is survived by five sons, Harvey Fleming, Joseph L., Jr., Thomas Henry, Edroy Frederick and St. Elmo Maury Wyatt, all of Richmond; three daughters, Mrs. Virginia E. Preston and Mrs. Georgia Nickleboro, both of Richmond, and Mrs. Ida Evelyn Wise, of Newport News; three sisters, Ollie Mae Wells, Mrs. Janie Carter and Mrs. Gertie Turner, all of Richmond, and 10 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were incomplete last night."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 30, 1954:
"WYATT - Died at his residence, 620 South Laurel St., Wednesday, July 28, 1954, Joseph Lee Wyatt. He is survived by five sons, Harvey Fleming, Joseph Lee, Thomas Henry, Edroy Frederick and St. Elmo Maury Wyatt, all of Richmond; three daughters, Mrs. Virginia E. Preston, Mrs. Georgie Mickelboro, of Richmond, and Mrs. Ida Evelyn Wise of Newport News, Va.; three sisters, Mrs. Ollie Mae Wells, Mrs. Janie Carter and Mrs. Gertie Turner, all of Richmond; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The remains rest at the Joseph W. Bliley Funeral Home, Third and Marshall, where the funeral will be held Saturday, at 3 P.M. Interment in Riverview."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, February 22, 1931:
"MRS. IDA LEE WYATT - Mrs. Ida Lee Wyatt, 52, died Friday at a local hospital. She is survived by her husband, Joseph L. Wyatt, and eight children, Harvey F., Joseph L., Jr., T. Henry, Eddie, Roy F., St. Elmo M., Mrs. Virginia Preston, Mrs. Evelyn Wise, Miss Georgie Wyatt; also one brother, R. W. Harris, and six grand-children. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 4 o'clock at Pine Street Baptist Church. Burial will be in Riverview."

Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 12, 1952:
"J. A. WYATT, 48, DIES; HAD BEEN POLICEMAN - John A. Wyatt, 48, a former Richmond policeman, was found dead yesterday in an outbuilding in the rear of 618 China St. His death was listed as due to natural causes. He was on the police force for about a year and a half before he left in May, 1949. A funeral service will be held at 3 P.M. Thursday at the Joseph W. Bliley Funeral Home, with burial in Riverview Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ruth Wyatt; a stepson, Arthur Nuckols; three sisters, Mrs. Ollie Mae Wells, Mrs. Charles Turner and Mrs. Janie B. Carter, and two brothers, Thomas D. and Joseph L. Wyatt."

Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery of Ashland, Virginia

I have always noticed a small cemetery, outside of the main town cemetery of Ashland, Virginia. I never paid much attention to it until the other day when I braved the rain and discovered Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery. I had no knowledge of the cemetery or its occupants until I started exploring. Here is what I found and what I theorize.

The cemetery is about a mile from the Shiloh church. It is right beside Woodland Cemetery, literally just outside of the gate, and immediately outside of the town limits. A lot of towns had ordinances that you could not bury people within the town. This protected the water supply. Both Woodland and Shiloh are immediately outside of the town of Ashland. Ashland probably had such an ordinance.

I walked the entire cemetery and came to the conclusion that it was at least a predominately African-American cemetery. There were a lot of signs from my past experience to lead me to that conclusion. There were a lot of unmarked or poorly marked graves. There were a lot of homemade stones and none of the common "white" names from the area. After a while I noticed three or four photos on stones, all being black individuals.

The cemetery does not look very old at first, most graves are dated between 1960 and the present. There were a few older stones, one dating back to about 1896, you just had to look for them. For the most part, I would say that the cemetery is pretty young, except for the left side. On the left side of the cemetery, there are few marked graves but those that are marked are nicer stones, even fenced in.

There is a lot or periwinkle and cedar tress so I know there are lots of unmarked graves. There are some old field stones as well, marking obvious graves. Periwinkle was commonly planted in cemeteries because it was pretty and required little upkeep. Also note that cedar trees grow along old fence lines. Birds would eat cedar tree berries, sit on a fence and relieve themselves. The cedar seedlings, in this manure, would therefore grow along the fence line and outlast the fence. These are both major indicators of an old cemetery and its outline.

Afterwards I rode into town and found the church. It is an old brick building and the congregation is African-American (church was in session when I drove by). I am wondering if there was some type of segregation back in the day and this was the "black" cemetery for Ashland or was it always solely for the church? Does anyone know? What are the earliest African-American burials at Woodland? Any enlightenment you can offer would be appreciated by all of us.

John Philip Brock of Germany & Hanover County, Virginia

Many records of Hanover County, Virginia were destroyed by fire during the Civil War. Therefore wills are difficult to locate for the time period before 1865. I did find a copy of John P. Brock's will amongst the papers of his grandson, Robert Alonzo Brock. Robert was Secretary of the Virginia Historical Society and amassed the largest personal collection of Virginia-related documents know to exist. After Robert's death, the papers were auctioned off and purchased by the Huntington Library in California. I found a photocopy of John P. Brock's will on file at the Library of Virginia. However, further reproductions were restricted since Huntington owns the rights.

John's will states that he was a resident of Hanover County and was "at present in my usual health and [of] perfect mind and memory." He asked that his body be decently buried and that all of his just debts be paid. John then made a provision for his three under-age sons named Philip Stafford, William and Ro. King Brock, at his own death or at the time they turned twenty-one, should each be paid $20 to be equal with his other children. If John died before any of his children were twenty-one, he order that all livestock, household and kitchen furniture be sold for their upkeep and all of the slaves [should be rented out]. After all of the children reached twenty-one, all of the land and slaves were to be sold and the money split amongst his children, namely his sons Jno. C., Henry, Philip Stafford, William and Ro. King Brock and his daughters Nancy Gilman and Catharine Willis. Jno. C. and Henry Brock were left in charge of their sister's inheritances. They were instructed that if a daughter died without heir, the money reverted to the other children. Their husbands, M. Gilman and Jessee Willis, were to have no control or access to the Brock girl's inheritances. As a special bequest, Catharine Willis was to receive a slave girl named Eliza as part of her inheritance. John named his sons Jno. C. and Henry Brock as his executors. The will was signed and dated January 23, 1817 and bore the signature of "John P. Brock." Susannah, Susannah S. and Peter W. Littlepage were John's witnesses. The will was probated on November 26, 1823 in Hanover County. Jno C. and Henry Brock were named executors with Susannah Littlepage and Susannah S. Durham (nee Littlepage) giving their oaths.

John's estate in Hanover County was known as "Brock Spring" and still exists to date on Old Telegraph Road. There is a family cemetery, with rights retained by the family. I have not been to the site but it supposedly has graves for Rose Arlington Brock Tomlinson, Asbury Watson Brock, Martha Ann Carter Brock, Edward Watson Brock, William Synton Brock, John Christian Brock, Lucy G. Wingfield Brock, Wesley M. Brock, Jane Eliza Tinsley Brock, John P. Brock, John Philip Brock and Elizabeth King Brock. Most of the graves are unmarked.

George L. & Lula V. Sanderson of Hanover County, Virginia

George and Lula Sanderson are buried in Woodland Cemetery in Ashland, Virginia. They are in the old part of the cemetery in the bottom, right-hand corner, near Joseph A. Vass from an earlier post - the same section. Their dates are December 12, 1888 - September 13, 1974 and May 29, 1890 - September 8, 1977, respectively. Lula was Joseph A. Vass's granddaughter.

Joseph A. Vass of Hanover County, Virginia (1845-1888)

My great grandfather, Joseph A. Vass is buried in Woodland Cemetery in Ashland, Virginia. He is in the old part of the cemetery in the bottom, right-hand corner. His dates are January 6, 1845 - January 8, 1888. It took years to find his grave and I just happened upon it in this cemetery in Hanover County, Virginia.

This post was on another site that I had and I am moving it here. The following comments were attached to the original posting:

jp said...

Hi. This Joseph A Vass was, also, my great great grandfather. He had a son, Andrew Loving Vass, who was my great grandfather. Andrew had 9 children. His oldest son was Joseph Andrew Vass, my grandfather.

Sunday, July 8, 2007 6:02:00 AM EDT

gm said...

Andrew was my great-grandfather too. His daughter, Hazel, was my grandmother. Send me an e-mail at ktlett@virginiafamilytree.com and we can exchange info. Take care, Kevin

Monday, July 9, 2007 11:58:00 PM EDT

Mrs. Mollie Vass of Hanover County, Virginia d. 1930

Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia February 25, 1930:

"VASS - Died at Elmont, Va., Monday, at 1:30 A. M. February 24, Mrs. Mollie Vass, aged 84. She leaves three sons, L. S., W. H. and Lynn Vass; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Frank Seay; one sister, Mrs. J. R. Priddy; seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday, February 25, at 2:30 P. M., at Winn's Church, Hanover."

Mrs. Lucy Vass of Hanover County, Virginia d. 1878

Religious Herald, Richmond, Virginia, June 27, 1878:

"Died, at the residence of her son-in-law, in Hanover county, Va., June 15th, 1878, Mrs. LUCY VASS, in the 76th year of her age, having been an earnest, consistent member of the Baptist church for fifty years. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." T. M. SATTERWHITE."

Henry Vass of Hanover County, Virginia d. 1896

Religious Herald, Richmond, Virginia, September 10, 1896

"VASS - Died, on August 30, 1896, at his residence, in Hanover county, Va., Bro. HENRY VASS, in the 64th year of his age. He was a beloved member of Winn's church, and had been for a quarter of a century an humble, devout, and consistent Christian. The great congregation gathered at his funeral, attested the esteem in which he was held. His patience during his long and exceedingly painful illness showed his submission and his trust in his Saviour. May God sustain his bereaved widow and sorrowing sons! J. R. G."

Descendants of Andrew Loving Vass of Richmond, Virginia, 1877-1968

Descendants of Andrew Loving Vass

Generation No. 1

1. ANDREW LOVING 3 VASS (JOSEPH A. 2, HENRY 1) was born August 17, 1877 in Hanover County, Virginia, and died November 15, 1968 in Richmond, Virginia. He married BESSIE MAY JARVIS August 18, 1903 in Richmond, Virginia, daughter of WILLIAM JARVIS and ALICE SHELL. She was born September 17, 1886 in Manchester, Chesterfield County, Virginia, and died August 30, 1974 in Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia.

Notes for ANDREW LOVING VASS:
Andrew was tall and slender with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a soft voice. He was devoted to his mother and sisters, walking around with the license in his pocket for a long time before marrying. He worked for Trediger Iron Works as a puddler and drank heavily until the birth of his last child, commenting that he could have bought the finest house in Richmond if he had back all of the money he spent on booze. Andrew injured his hand and become a trash man, walking through the streets of Richmond with his mule and cart, collecting garbage until his retirement.

More About ANDREW LOVING VASS:
Burial: November 18, 1968, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
Cause of Death: acute myelogenous leukemia

Notes for BESSIE MAY JARVIS:
Bessie’s first pregnancy resulted in a fetal demise. She had three young children die and slammed her breast in a car door, leading to its removal. As an older woman, Bessie was taking off her gown and bent over, lowering herself onto a bedpost and punctured her eyeball. Bessie’s heart hardened, becoming so strict that she would not allow her teenage children to leave their front yard. She was not sociable and did not care for small children. Bessie became so stingy that if she had a piece of fruit, she would let it go bad before she shared it with you.

More About BESSIE MAY JARVIS:
Burial: September 2, 1974, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
Cause of Death: arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease
Medical Information: cardiovascular accident

More About ANDREW VASS and BESSIE JARVIS:
Marriage: August 18, 1903, Richmond, Virginia

Children of ANDREW VASS and BESSIE JARVIS are:

i. JOSEPH ANDREW4 VASS, b. November 2, 1906, Richmond, Virginia; d. July 30, 1984, Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia; m. (1) HILLARY ESTELLE WALTON, February 12, 1926, Richmond, Virginia; b. Bet. 1909 - 1910, Richmond, Virginia; m. (2) PRIVATE, 1933, King and Queen County, Virginia.

More About JOSEPH ANDREW VASS:
Burial: August 2, 1984, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About JOSEPH VASS and HILLARY WALTON:
Divorce: Bef. 1933
Marriage: February 12, 1926, Richmond, Virginia

More About JOSEPH VASS and PRIVATE:
Marriage: 1933, King and Queen County, Virginia

ii. RAYMOND ELMORE VASS, b. April 16, 1908, Richmond, Virginia; d. April 18, 1990, Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia; m. SETHELLE MORRISON, September 2, 1933, Richmond, Virginia; b. August 19, 1902, Statesville, Southampton County, Virginia; d. September 22, 1991, Newport News, Virginia.

More About RAYMOND ELMORE VASS:
Burial: April 20, 1990, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About SETHELLE MORRISON:
Burial: September 25, 1991, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About RAYMOND VASS and SETHELLE MORRISON:
Marriage: September 2, 1933, Richmond, Virginia

iii. HERBERT ELTON VASS, b. November 5, 1909, Richmond, Virginia; d. April 7, 2003, Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia; m. PRIVATE, November 11, 1929, Richmond, Virginia; b. Bet. 1910 - 1911, Richmond, Virginia.

More About HERBERT ELTON VASS:
Burial: April 10, 2003, Westhampton Memorial Park, Henrico County, Virginia

More About HERBERT VASS and PRIVATE:
Marriage: November 11, 1929, Richmond, Virginia

iv. LOUISE E. VASS, b. January 26, 1911, Richmond, Virginia; d. March 19, 1912, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia.

Notes for LOUISE E. VASS:
According to Hazel Vass Hargrove, Louise was in her highchair while her brother, Herbert, was climbing on its rails. The chair fell backwards and Louise hit her head on the floor. The baby went into convulsions and died from the trauma. This is contrary to the cause of death as pneumonia listed on her death certificate.

More About LOUISE E. VASS:
Burial: March 20, 1912, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: broncho pneumonia

v. HAZEL VIRGINIA VASS, b. February 23, 1914, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia; d. October 28, 2001, Glen Allen, Hanover County, Virginia; m. (1) CARLTON EDWARD BROCK, May 27, 1932, Richmond, Virginia; b. September 30, 1912, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia; d. July 27, 1958, Richmond, Virginia; m. (2) CARLETON PERNELL HARGROVE, August 4, 1959, Dillon, South Carolina; b. October 15, 1920, North Carolina; d. December 1975.

Notes for HAZEL VIRGINIA VASS:
Hazel attended school until the fifth grade. At the age of fifteen, she left home and went to live with her best friend and future sister-in-law, Mattie Brock. Hazel worked at the Southern Dog Biscuit Company for a few years but later opted to stay home with her children and babysat others. She loved animals, raised African violets and lived alone during her widowhood.

More About HAZEL VIRGINIA VASS:
Burial: October 31, 2001, Signal Hill Memorial Park, Hanover County, Virginia
Cause of Death: pancreatic cancer

Notes for CARLTON EDWARD BROCK:
Edward delivered messages for Western Union, worked at the Broad Street train station, drove for the Yellow Cab Company, painted for the Jefferson Hotel and worked as a janitor at the Cripple Children's Hospital. On the side, he wrote numbers and sold liquor during the prohibition period. Edward was a lady's man, so much that one woman came to his funeral and told his widow that "you may have had his children, but I loved him."

More About CARLTON EDWARD BROCK:
Burial: July 30, 1958, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: acute massive myocardial infarction, complete thrombosis of right coronary

More About CARLTON BROCK and HAZEL VASS:
Marriage: May 27, 1932, Richmond, Virginia

Notes for CARLETON PERNELL HARGROVE:
Carleton worked as a painter and general handyman. He was seriously injured after falling from a roof and spent the rest of his life in a nursing home.

More About CARLETON PERNELL HARGROVE:
Cause of Death: fall from a roof

More About CARLETON HARGROVE and HAZEL VASS:
Divorce: May 10, 1973, Richmond, Virginia
Marriage: August 4, 1959, Dillon, South Carolina

vi. LUCILLE LOTTIE VASS, b. December 29, 1915, Richmond, Virginia; d. November 29, 2004, Richmond, Virginia; m. JOHN ROGER REID, JR., April 11, 1933, Richmond, Virginia; b. May 24, 1914; d. September 16, 1996, Richmond, Virginia.

More About LUCILLE LOTTIE VASS:
Burial: December 4, 2004, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

Notes for JOHN ROGER REID, JR.:
Buster served in the United States Army as a young man.

More About JOHN ROGER REID, JR.:
Burial: September 18, 1996, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About JOHN REID and LUCILLE VASS:
Marriage: April 11, 1933, Richmond, Virginia

vii. MARGARET ALMETER VASS, b. September 5, 1918, Richmond, Virginia; d. June 28, 1920, Richmond, Virginia.

Notes for MARGARET ALMETER VASS:
Bessie was blind at the time Margaret was burned. She had just undergone surgery to remove cataracts from both eyes. Margaret was in the house and picked up a long stick match from inside the hearth. It caught her dress on fire and Margaret swallowed the flames, scorching her mouth and throat. One of the other children called for Bessie, who then desperately tried to save her child in vain.

More About MARGARET ALMETER VASS:
Burial: June 29, 1920, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: burns accidentally received from playing with matches

viii. WILLIAM WEST VASS, b. February 18, 1921, Richmond, Virginia; d. November 14, 1930, Richmond, Virginia.

Notes for WILLIAM WEST VASS:
On the morning of November 10, 1930, William missed the school bus. He ran and jumped onto the door ledge of the moving bus to get the driver's attention. William slipped and fell beneath its wheels and was crushed. He was taken to Memorial Hospital where he died four days later. It was a very painful and traumatic death.

More About WILLIAM WEST VASS:
Burial: November 16, 1930, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: auto accident - fractures of ribs, pelvis and right arm

ix. DOUGLAS LOVING VASS, b. February 27, 1926, Virginia; d. September 12, 1986, Richmond, Virginia; m. MYRTLE RAY MASKALL; b. March 9, 1929; d. May 14, 1996, Richmond, Virginia.

More About DOUGLAS LOVING VASS:
Burial: September 15, 1986, Washington Memorial Cemetery, Dutch Gap, Henrico County, Virginia

More About MYRTLE RAY MASKALL:
Burial: May 16, 1996, Washington Memorial Cemetery, Dutch Gap, Henrico County, Virginia

Obituary for Wesley Abbott Walker, Sr., March 04, 1905 - June 14, 1974, of Tappahannock, Virginia

Obituary for Wesley Abbott Walker, Sr., March 04, 1905 - June 14, 1974, of Tappahannock, Virginia.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 15, 1974:"WALKER - Wesley A. Walker, Sr., 69, died at his residence, Tappahannock, June 14, 1974. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Florence V. Walker, of Tappahannock; one daughter, Mrs. Thomas Monahan, of Lottsburg, Va.; one son, Wesley A. Walker, Jr., of Mechanicsville; two sisters, Mrs Estelle Atkinson, and Miss Lottie A. Walker, both of Buckingham County, Va.; two grandsons, Wesley A. Walker, III and Raymond P. Walker, both Mechanicsville. Remains rest at the T. D. Marks Funeral Home, Tappahannock, where services will be held Sunday at 4:00 P. M. Interment Essex Cemetery."

Almeta R. Wyatt Vass obituary, September 22, 1853 - March 1, 1919, of Richmond, Virginia

Almeta R. Wyatt Vass obituary, September 22, 1853 - March 1, 1919, of Richmond, Virginia.

I am not certain, but Almeta's middle name may have been Richardson. There was a Silas Wyatt of King William County, possibly her uncle, that married an Almeda Richardson Gwaltney in 1851. It seems that our Almeta may have been named after this woman.

After the death of her husband, Almeta moved her children from Hanover to Richmond. They rented a house at 233 S. Laurel Street and lived there until her death.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 3, 1919:"VASS - Died, at her residence, 233 South Laurel, Saturday, March 1, at 6:25 P. M., Mrs. Almeta Vass. She leaves to mourn their loss, three daughters, one son, one sister, one brother, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral from the above residence Tuesday, 3 P. M. Interment in Riverview Cemetery."

Almeta is buried in plat M, section 88, division 5, grave 1 of Riverview Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. According to Elizabeth Griggs Vass, Almeta wanted to be buried in Ashland with her husband. However, her children buried her in Richmond despite her wishes.

Obituary for Alexander Wyatt, c. 1809 - August 24, 1884, of Hanover County, Virginia

Obituary for Alexander Wyatt, c. 1809 - August 24, 1884, of Hanover County, Virginia.

Alexander and his wife, Elizabeth Kidd, started their family while living in St. John's Parish of King William County, Virginia. They made their way farming, with a handful of slaves. In the 1850s, the Wyatts moved into St. Paul's Parish in Hanover County, Virginia. They lived in the area around Ashland and Beaver Dam and settled on a farm, "Aspen Grove," in the vicinity of Atlee Station. Alex and Betsy lived long and prosperous lives, leaving a multitude of descendants to carry on their line.

Richmond Dispatch, August 26, 1884:"WYATT. - Died, on Sunday night, August 24th, at his residence, in Hanover county, near Atlee's station, at 12:30 o'clock, ALEXANDER WYATT, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Funeral at 2 P. M. TO-DAY at his late residence. Augusta, Ga., Brooklyn, N. Y., and Towander, Pa., papers please copy."

Records of Woodland Cemetery of Ashland, Virginia

I just found out that Susan Tucker is the database administrator for Woodland Cemetery in Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia. Susan is a very nice lady and is documenting all graves in the cemetery. She is using burial records, ownership papers, any old notes she can find, local resident knowledge, tombstone inscriptions and is even probing for vaults with a metal rod.

There is also a document at the Library of Virginia called "Burial book, [Woodland Cemetery], Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia, 1862." It was recorded by Robert T. James and Bros., Robert being a carpenter and most likely the undertaker for there burials of Civil War soldier. There are 254 entries on 74 pages pertaining to men from Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas plus one "Yankee." The call number at the library would be 21743.

The grave pictured here is of my great-great-grandfather, Joseph A. Vass. He is in the oldest part of the cemetery in the bottom, right-hand corner. His dates are January 6, 1845 - January 8, 1888. It took years to find his grave and I just happened upon it in this cemetery - I had not idea he would be there. I honestly never expected to find his grave. I knew he was "buried out in the country" but that could have been anywhere. This was truly a great find!