#familyrecords

[weemsbotts]

From Dumfries to Stanton: The Hope & Promise of Mental Health Recovery

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

In 1834, Ann Gallagher helped commit her brother, Bernard Gallagher, Jr., to the Western State Hospital after confirming his alleged insanity. If you have toured The Weems-Botts Museum, you may remember that the Merchant Family also sent Mary Merchant to Western State Hospital in Stanton, Virginia in 1901. While the focus of this blog is on Gallagher, Jr.’s admission and possible experiences, it is interesting to note that at least two residents of the Town of Dumfries traveled to Stanton.

In 01/1825, the Virginia General Assembly approved the construction of an asylum in the western part of the state, and the “Western Lunatic Asylum” became the second mental health facility in the state of Virginia. It opened in 1828 with patients admitted for everything from “religious excitement” to “debility of the nervous system.” Dr. Francis T. Stribling was the first appointed superintendent and was seen as a leader in the mental health community, one of the founders of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane, later becoming the American Psychiatric Association. The hospital underwent name changes over its’ lifetime, becoming Western State Hospital in 1894. It operated until it officially closed in the mid-1970s as medics transferred patients from the “Old Site” to the new facility. Today, it is part of the grounds of The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center, as a Historic Hotel of America. It is also a listed and protected site on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Gallagher family’s claims were extensive as they owned land in the Town of Dumfries and Prince William County, along with other Virginia lands. Bernard Gallagher, Sr. potentially owned land in Pennsylvania as well as benefiting from his adventures at sea with captured prized vessels during the War of 1812. Although captured as a POW, Gallagher, Sr. returned to our area and owned thirteen enslaved persons by 1822, indicating the family’s prosperity and acceptance of forced servitude. Upon Gallagher, Sr.’s death, his will divided his property amongst his wife and children, and although he noted his son suffering from a “heavy affliction” at the time it was written, the Gallagher family did not commit Bernard Gallagher, Jr. until 1834.

"The depositions of Ann Gallagher touching the insanity of Bernard Gallagher.

Question by the Justices: How long has it been since Bernard Gallagher has been of insane mind.

Answer: About seventeen years.

Question by the Justices: Do you know the cause of his Insanity.

Answer: I do not, but heard him complain of his head from going into Creek when he was overheated and further this deponent saith not.

The deposition of John Carter touching the insanity of Bernard Gallagher.

Question by Justices: How long has it been since Bernard Gallagher has been of insane mind of your knowledge.

Answer: About fifteen years.

Question by Justices: Do you know the cause of his Insanity.

Answer: I do not and further this deponent saith not.

The deposition of Ann Wheeler touching the insanity of Bernard Gallagher.

Question by the Justices: How long has it been since Bernard Gallagher has been of Insane mind of your knowledge.

Answer: About fifteen years.

Question by Justices: Do you know the cause of his Insanity.

Answer: I do not and further this deponent saith not."

John W. William, George Mason, and J.E. Weems provided their seals and oaths on these depositions presented before them on 09/09/1834. That same day, they provided their judgment and direction in Gallagher, Jr.’s fate.

"Whereas, upon due examination before us, Bernard Gallagher, of this county, hath been adjudged a person of -- or disordered mind, and we have though it expedient that he should be [consigned] to the public hospital for the maintenance and are of persons of unsound mind, in the town of Stanton. You are, there, hereby authorized and required forthwith to impress two men to assist you to remove the said Bernard Gallager to the said hospital in the town of Stanton, and deliver [him] together with the warrant and order the depositions of the -, a certificate of the said Bernard Gallaghers estate, and the probable annual profits thereof, and -- to the keeper of the said hospital, and for so doing this shall be your warrant….”

The schedule of his estate was as follows:

“One negro woman aged about forty years hired out at time at the rate of twenty dollars per annum.

The Interest on Three Hundred & fifty dollars and one tenth of eight hundred acres of land and some houses and [lots] in the town of Dumfries his interest supposed to be worth from thirty to fifty dollars.”

It should be noted that a court case involving land causes stemming from Gallagher, Sr.’s properties landed in court in 03/1835. An impressive amount of people (the researcher noted that all the names of known descendants of Bernard Gallagher, Sr. were identified, ca. 1835), filed this Gallagher vs. Gallagher case, revolving around,

“…that the real Estate of which their Father Bernard Gallagher died seized and possessed of consists of a Tract of land in the County of Prince William County called Providence consisting of about [blank] acres, a small tract of land in Stafford, and some houses and lots in the Town of Dumfries, (and perhaps some vacant lats at the mouth of Quantico in Prince William County, and that division thereof could not be effected amongst those entitled to division without materially injuring the interest of all, and more over that the interest of each devisee or distribute in the same is of much less value than $300.”

Bernard Gallagher, Jr. appears in the document numerous times as a “lunatic,” and Ann Gallagher appeared in court as a defendant and “as committee of Lunacy of Bernard Gallagher (the younger) to answer this bill of complaint.” While John Gibson acted as attorney for both the plaintiff and the defendant, Ann Gallagher readily conceded, “…that she believes the allegations charged and set out in the Complaints bill are correct, and so far as she is concerned and interested individually she desire the Court should pronounce a decree in conformity with the prayer thereof…willing to abide by any decision the Court may think fit to pronounce,” essentially agreeing with the recommended sale of real estate.

(Virginia Map ca. 1839 with both Stanton and Dumfries noted. Burr, David H, and John Arrowsmith. The American atlas, exhibiting the post offices, post roads, rail roads, canals, and the physical & political divisions of the United States of North America. [London?: John Arrowsmith, 1839] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2009582191/.)

Gallagher, Jr. entered the facility during a period of renovation. Thomas R. Blackburn, protegee of President Thomas Jefferson, led the project to incorporate spacious room wings, gardens, and a cupola. Dr. Stribling emphasized and focused on treating patients with an eye towards their emotional well-being. He also advocated “moral treatment,” which challenged demonic explanations and focused on the importance of the external environment. This approach declined following the Civil War due to a variety of reasons including overexaggerated cure rates and the cost of facilities.

Gallagher, Jr.’s voice cannot be heard in current available records. In his will, Bernard Gallagher, Sr., only noted “…it has pleased Almighty God to visit my son Bernard Gallagher with a heavy affliction,” not providing much context. Gallagher, Jr. entered the facility at the age of 38 and remained for the next eighteen years. Researcher Judson Banks deduced from the above records that Gallagher, Jr. had suffered an infirmity from an accident at the age of twenty-one, such as a stroke, or head injury while diving into creek. Based on the available estate and money paid to the facility, it is possible he was buried there. Although other members of the family are in Dumfries Cemetery, there are no tombstones or records of Gallagher, Jr.

Thanks to these details reported and recorded, we also know that the enslaved woman Fanny, or Fannery, was sold on 09/15/1836 for $450. She appeared in Bernard Gallagher, Sr.,’s will along with the other listed enslaved persons: Lucy, Fanny, Jim, Harriet, Jane, and Emily. In his inventory, we also find: Daniel Bull, John, George Chapman, Henry, Carpenter John, James, and George Coote.

Note: Memorial Day weekend features two popular programs, The Weems-Botts Bibliophiles and Members First: Revolutionary War evening walk. You can find tickets along with June’s programs here.

(Sources: Banks, Judson G. The Captain and his Kids: The Story of Bernard Gallagher and His Children, 1749-1893. Self-published, 1990-1991. Researcher Jud Banks personally donated this copy of the book along with research notes & files to Historic Dumfries Virginia & The Lee Lansing Research Library in September 1992; Library of Virginia: Archival Resources of the Virginias, A Guide to the Records of Western State Hospital, 1825-2000, https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi00937.xml; Historic Hotels of America: The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center in Stanton, Virginia; Floyd, Barbara. From Quackery to Bacteriology: The Emergence of Modern Medicine in 19th Century America: An Exhibition, Document 5: Mental Health, https://www.utoledo.edu/library/canaday/exhibits/quackery/quack-index.html)

[djmordecai]

More Xian cringe ✝️ 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧... The Pegram Family on Lark Records out of Waynesboro, Virginia. #Xian #cringe #xiancringe #xiangospel #xianrecords #xianalbums #familyrecords #offkey #outoftune https://www.instagram.com/p/CYM6jroFCDs/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thegenealogyfreak]

It's so exciting to stumble across a book about the lives of your relatives. Sometime in the future, a descendant will be hoping to find something on you and those around you. Write that book. Let it be your gift to the future generations. Write the book you would want to read. They will love you for it. . . #telltheirstory #tellyourstory #familyhistory #historian #familyhistorian #chasingancestors #genealogy #chasinghistory #tracingancestors #biography #autobiography #recordinghistory #familyrecords #stories #genealogyfreak #wvhistorian #wvgenealogist #logancountywv (at Amherstdale, West Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6XDGg3p7OU/?igshid=68yz7j17qfcz

[historyhermann]

#Repost @findfamilyrecords (@get_repost) ・・・ The 1900 census asks how long a couple has been married. This census taker also asked how many years ago they were married if they were a widow. Few census takers record the information for the widows. If you have not found previous record that gives the marriage date, you can estimate the year of marriage from this census record. #familysearch #familyhistory #genealogy #ancestry #census #history #familyrecords #seefamilyrecords #family #familyresearch #familystories #oldrecords #www.seefamilyrecords.com #marriage #marriagerecords https://www.instagram.com/p/BxzciWel3Rc/?igshid=xmttq68ov6jz

[kingambitionrd]

King Ambition - No Limit (Freestyle) [On Instagram] @geasy @iamcardib @atlanticrecords @sonymusicglobal @badboyent #nolimit #nolimitchallenge2017 #cardi #migos #hiphop #2017 #culture #yrn #qc #lilpump #skimasktheslumpgod #nyc #eastcoast #DMV #trap #kingambition #mkentertainment #familyrecords #dominicanrepublic (at Rockville, Maryland)

[djmambomusik]

#mood #playing @chovohd @freshnysc #poe #poelatino #familyrecords go check those #tracks #djlife #soundcloud

[djmistermagic]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Healer Dangun (@healer_dangun)

Bongo Impro on The Girl from U.N.C.L.E by Teddy RANDAZZO sampled by @dimitrifromparisofficial & @kdope50 Une Very Stylish Fille, produced by @alainhotuqui (Yellow Prod) Tracks I Love for more than 2 decades A Humble & Ambitious DJ & Drummer kid who just created his company & looking for Music Producers to express my Positive Vibes & Event Organizers to play Positive Vibes & keep on making the crowds Shake It Everyday ! Maximum Respect & Peace & 💖 & Harmony SIRET N°848913042 (work in France) VAT N° FR64848913042 (work abroad) #bongo #impro #thrgirlfromUNCLE #teddyrandazzo #uneverystylishfille #dimitrifromparis #kennydope #mastersatwork #maw #yellowprod #alainho #supalatino #familyrecordings #polygram #dj #drummer #music #producers #event #organizers #goodvibesonly #onlythebest https://www.instagram.com/p/BwedJtCA17f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nj6d5aoztqza

[fhtess]

Getting (and staying) organized...

#familyhistory #genealogyblogger #familyrecords #bloggingmypast #heritage #familyhistoryblog

When I first started working on my family tree, way back in the early 1990s, I had very little information other than the tree my mum’s cousin had given her for one of our branches. No documents, no letter, no photos. All I had was that one tree, a computer I shared with my husband, and a very early edition of Family Tree Maker.

It all seemed so easy back then. After entering the tree I’d been…

[digginyourancestors]

Genealogy - The Transcriber Got It Wrong. Why you should look at the actual document when offered. Read the rest of the article by clicking on the link in my profile. ------------- #digginyourancestors #genealogy #genealogist #roots #documents #research #familyresearch #familyhistory #familytree #research #documents #ancestors #ancestry #oldrecords #familyrecords

[weemsbotts]

The Dumfries Man "of Some Means”

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

While archaeologists located the foundations of the Dumfries courthouse (active 1762-1822), speculation remained over the existence of a jail. Based on historical context and a photograph, it is very possible the jail nestled beside the courthouse.

(Lee Lansing sketched and identified this image as "Dumfries Jail." He based it on the actual photograph)

When the Work Progress Administration agent, Susan Morton, compiled the required Historical Inventory of the Town of Dumfries and the surrounding region in 1937, she included the inventory of John Murray. She identified him as the “Goal Keeper of Dumfries,” (Gaol Keeper?) along with other interesting history nibbles:

“…and a man of some means. He had no children, but numerous God-children whom he remembered in his will, and there were several instances where the gift of slaves to various friends were recorded.

He owned a house on Hedgman Street, Dumfries. He had a brother, Hugh to whom he left fifty pounds, besides other property, and he also left the same amount to his God-children: Jane Carr Chapman, Jesse Ewell Carr, Leroy Ewell and Charlotte Ewell.”

While she provided the inventory, HDVI’s archives can provide a fuller picture of John Murray in a series of snapshots from his legislative and legal actions.

Assuming this is the same John Murray, he petitioned the Virginia House of Burgesses in the early 1760s, for his militia service.

“A petition of John Murray setting forth that in the year 1755, he was sent out with the militia drafted from the co. of P.W. & employed by their commanding officer as a blacksmith for the time he continued in that service which was 93 days, for which by the laws then in force he was entitled to 50lbs of tobacco per day, but that when the accounts of the milita of that county were settled by a late assembly, he was allowed only as a common solider.”

Although the House referred the petition to a committee, it was ultimately rejected. In the early 1770s, he appears again after devastating rains, floods and even fires, ravaged tobacco warehouses in Henrico, Chesterfield, Falmouth, and Quantico. By 1779, amendments to “An Act to continue and amend the act for staple of tobacco and preventing frauds” noted “…new warehouses shall be erected on the lots numbered 171 & 172 the property of John Murray, in the said town of Dumfries” with an order to “erect, build, and completely finish” in a year “so many strong, close and substantial houses, as shall be sufficient to contain at least a thousand hogshead of tobacco, at the said inspection of Dumfries…”

We next meet him in court on 11/03/1764, when he arranged a deed with Isaac Davis and William Tyler, both from PWC.

“…lease unto the said Isaac Davis & William Tyler during the term of two years from the tenth day of Oct. past his ordinary in the town of Dumfries now in their possession, together with the kitchen, meathouse, billiard Tables balls & the garden now pailed in together with the stable yard or horsepen adjoining thereto also the pasture now fenced in excepting & reserving  to the said John Murray his heirs sufficient ground for a garden for himself also hround for a garden convenient to the house now rented by Nathan White. No other ordinary shall be erected on said Lotts or tenement & that Murray shall have liberty of putting what horses or calves he keeps for his necessary use into the said pasture during the said term.”

The following year, he appeared in a deed with Matthew Gregg re: the deceased John Gregg’s property,

“and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien and confirm unto the said John Murray his heirs and assigns one certain tract or parcel of land containing Nine hundred and sixty seven acres being the whole devised to him by the last will and testament of John Gregg dec’d with all houses, edifices, buildings, gardens, orchards, woods, underwoods, ways, waters, watercourses, easements, profits, commodities, tenements and appurtenances…”

In the will of John Murray, 10/18/1782, he forcibly assigned his enslaved persons to relatives. His wife, Elizabeth Murray, received “Sall & her child Betty”. His brother, Hugh Murray, received “2 Negro man: Toney & Sharper after the term for which Solomon Ewell hath hired them.” Besides for people, he also noted his lands and specific items. “to John Murray, after death of my wife, the lands whereon my plantation is 820 acres. To William Gunyon the debts due from his father estate and he receive board, clothes, schooling from my estate until he arrives at age of 18 years.” In a codicil dated the same, he also noted “I desire that my exors. shall make a deed to John Shute for the two lotts which he purchased from me in Dumfries as he shall have fully paid up the sum for same. To David Forbes my estate in Maybole in Scotland provided my brs. Robert or William have not got possession thereof.”

Turning to his inventory, transcribed by Morton, ca. 1783, we can visualize some of the items in his possession at the time of death. His clothing included coats, waistcoats, jackets, shirts, and breeches. Notably, he preferred or had access to wine colored coats, shirts, and breeches along with owning blue breeches. Presumably his “two wigs” were white and not wine colored. Silver teapots decorated his home, along with a collection of books. He owned a Bible, Blackstone’s commentaries, Bailey’s Dictionary, Guthridge Grammar, Stark’s Justice, Virginia Laws, Earth Explained, History of George the Second, Letters on Patriotism, Traders Guide, Swift’s Works, and a “parcel of old books.”

(Rabbit Hole Moment: I could not definitively determine the author or full title of the book labeled “Earth Explained.” Many books on this topic appear in the decades following Murray’s death. However, James Hutton, a Scottish scientist known for his influential works on geology, is a possible contender as his treaties may have circulated before his more active publications commenced in 1785. Clarendon Press at Oxford published William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England, 1765-1770, were important to political theory and understanding as the four books were written to be read by more people than just very specific scholars. You can read The Right of Persons, The Right of Things, Of Private Wrongs, and Of Public Wrongs here! The Bible could also be a fantastic source to look through as people tended to write their lineages and family mementoes in them).

Murray probably appeared in other court records as he owned land and resources in PWC. However, these records show how divided information can be when researching family history. HDVI’s archival files added a layer of richness and complexity to the tapestry of Murray’s life, including the enslaved persons noted in his will. All the sources contribute a vital aspect to his life and the lives he impacted, whether through family connections, friends, or forced servitude. The information should aways be accessible and available if we want to continue uncovering new leads into the people living in and around the town of Dumfries.

Please Note: HDVI files only had transcribed copies of the original records. I was unable to examine the originals.

May Members First: Feel like taking an evening stroll in Dumfries with a refreshing cup of Italian Ice? Then join me on 05/27 at 6:30pm as we take a brief walk to the cemetery and courthouse with a focus on the Revolutionary War! Free but tickets required. Click here for the ticket link! We welcome all current and prospective members – no commitment to join!

(Sources: HDVI Archives; PWC Clerk’s Loose Papers, Vol 1., Selected Transcripts, 1741-1826, transcribed by Ron Turner, 2004)

[diegonasristyle-blog]

De la Tarde con #FamilyRecords

[topspinmedia]

Transactions vs Relationships (Or what kind of artist are you?)

The Maney Continuum states that successful companies always make a strategic choice between providing convenience and fidelity. Domino’s Pizza and Amazon deliver convenience, Le Bernardin and Strand deliver fidelity. There is a significant different in how you can price your product or service based in which direction you pursue.

Another way to look at this is is to determine whether your company is a transaction-driven business, or a relationship-driven business, and again you have to make a choice. One could argue the Dave Matthews Band operates a relationship-driven business, whereas Rihanna is more of a transaction-driven artist. Either model is a valid one and gives you a certain edge the other side cannot offer, but you have to choose which one you want to be in because it alters the way you do business, the way you determine your price, and the way you deliver your product.

The transaction-driven business has the ability to act and grow/fail fast, whereas the relationship-driven business is a slower animal that needs to develop for a while before one can reap the benefits. Price is more flexible in the relationship-driven market where a premium price will be accepted, versus the constant pressure to lower prices in the convenience and transaction-driven markets.

Examples:

Rihanna needs convenience on her side, as it facilitates an easy transaction, which is necessary in her business model as a pop/r&b singer. Her music needs to be available up front and center at every retail location people might look for it. Big box retailers, iTunes, Rhapsody, Verizon, etc. Her tickets need to be sold on Ticketmaster. Her label pays for premium placement at all of these locations, because it contributes to the necessary convenience.

Dave Matthews offers a wide range of products only through their fan club and their own website, to compliment their major label album releases every few years. They have developed close relationship with their customers over the course of many years and conditioned them to know that they can purchase directly from the band. It’s not convenient to the mainstream, but it provides a high amount of fidelity to those that are tuned in at the core of the fan community.

The nature of your genre and style of music is a factor in determining which model works best for you, but in the end it’s still your choice. There are examples of rock bands in the transaction/convenience business (Matchbox 20, The Killers), and pop/r&b singers in the relationship-driven/fidelity business (Sade, Maxwell).

Question:

Did you make a choice to focus your business model, or are you trying to be everything to everyone?

by @wesleyverhoeve

--Wesley Verhoeve is the founder of Family Records and GNTLMN.com. He writes about the intersection of music, tech, and innovation, as well as modern marketing, product strategy, and great customer experiences across different industries.

[kingambitionrd]

JEY FLOW® - “AÚN ME AMAS” | ⚡️ OUT NOW! ⚡️ @jeyflowrd #FamilyRecord® ⚡️ (at North Bethesda, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCyiSWylIDE/?igshid=18chq8f7fwtkg

[djmambomusik]

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A post shared by Dj.MamboMusik (@djmambomusik)

#poe ✊🏾 @freshnysc @lulu_hd_poe all new #2017 let's get this together @mac_poe @tremendo_poe @alex_lowkey_ #teammambomusik #djmambomusik2017 #djlife #poelatino #music #familyrecords

[familyteamnl-blog-blog]

Wakey!Wakey!'s Almost Everything is gebruikt in het promo filmpje voor de TV serie 'Ik ben VMBO'  die aanstaande zondag start op Nederland 3. Luister 'm hier terug (vanaf 20 sec.).

[weemsbotts]

Dashed Against The Rocks: The Botts Flying Machine

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

While Robert Henry Botts applied and received a patent from the U.S. Patent Office in 1880 for his “Washing Machine,” his more ambitious project of the “Botts Flying Machine” occupied his time in the early 1900s as he formed the World Aerial Navigation and Construction Company in Point Richmond Hills in California. Although he had enthusiasm, patents at the ready, and hype from the media, a windstorm ultimately dashed his dreams.

By 1880, we find him in Coloma, Carroll County, Missouri with his washing machine patent. By 1900, he was in San Francisco Bay region with the resources and patience to construct and then potentially begin experiments within the next few years. During that time, if not before, he began work on his dream. Botts published an article in the periodical The Aeronautical World in 1902 promoting and boasting his novel invention to make aerial navigation safer and reliable at a more affordable price. “It combines with flying machine with the parachute, this making it absolutely safe. It can be started from any place and under any conditions of weather. In short, it is near perfection as machinery can be made by man.”

(Patent for parts of The Botts Flying Machine, ca. 1901)

According to Botts, his bane was achieving enough power, which had him turning to steam, “…the result of my work is a steam boiler, more powerful, than any other now in use. I have also constructed an engine of a greatly improved type, to be used in connection with my boiler. The whole, both engine and boiler, weigh but ten pounds to the registered horse power.”

To achieve aerial navigation, he noted his machine consisted of “three sets of propellers, a rudder, and a stationary plane surface, a canvas covering the framework outside of the condensing coil acting as an aerial-plane in fight and a parachute in descent.”

He felt confident his product was safe. “Having an engine light and powerful that runs without a jar, a boiler which generates a great amount of steam with but little weight and a small amount of liquid fuel, and the strong framework of the general fabric and utilized also as a steam condenser, accidents are not at all likely to occur…Suppose the machine were to stop mid-air, by accident or otherwise, it would descend at a speed of about four miles an hour.”

For profit, Botts turned to selling his stock emphasizing his confidence and the fact they reached the experimental phase. Noting his entire machine was constructed on the plan of a bicycle wheel, the company challenged “the world to produce a lighter construction having equal strength with less wind resistance, sine our one-man-machine, including 8-horse-power engine, can be built, weight from 100 to 150lbs.” However, “We, as a company, propose to perfect a one-man-machine first, leaving the commercial possibilities to be determined in the future, thus making no extravagant claims.”

William L. Thompson, MD, shared that his father personally knew Botts. “Botts claimed that his boiler was strong enough to hold pressures up to 400 pounds per square inch.  My father disputed this and suggested a controlled test of the pressure in the boiler house of the local Standard Oil Company refinery.  This test was never done. It is said that the engine, itself, was tested at the local Santa Fe shops.  I do not know the results of this test if it was done. The engine, however, seems to have been an amazingly light and efficient little steam engine.  How the power was delivered to the propellers and what device was used to shift the power from the vertical to the horizontal propellers is unclear to me. Also the exact type of fuel and the facilities for carrying the fuel is unclear.”

While Dr. Thompson suspects the model described and advertised was strictly an experimental model with more powerful and refined versions to likely follow, Botts dreams died in 1903 when a heavy windstorm blew his aircraft and other structures off the summit of the hill, destroying everything. This ended his impractical and grandiose dream, at least in terms of construction and promotion. Although it was unlikely his machine would ever take flight, it could still fuel the literary genres of steampunk and historical fiction as his device had quite the eclectic and novel appearance one would expect from a combination of bike, parachute, and steam.

Note: The Prince William Resolves Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will hold a Wreath Laying Ceremony honoring the 274th Anniversary of the Town of Dumfries and the 249th Anniversary of the signing of the Prince William County Resolves. The event will take place at the Weems-Botts Museum, Dumfries, VA at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

The town of Dumfries, which received its charter on May 11, 1749, is the oldest continuously chartered town in Virginia. The town once was the second leading port in Colonial America, at the time rivaling New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. It was also near to the home of the first Prince William County Courthouse, the birthplace of the Prince William County Resolves, a key document in our nation’s history. The document, which was a series of “resolves" in support of Boston and against King George III and Parliament’s policies, “in the common cause of American liberty,” marked Virginia’s first coordinated dissension against Great Britain. The document successfully passed on June 6, 1774.

The Prince William Resolves Chapter, NSDAR, is located in Dale City, VA, and is one of 130 chapters in the state of Virginia. The chapter is composed of a diverse group of women who have traced their ancestral lineage back to Patriots of the American Revolutionary War, and who are dedicated to community service, preserving history, educating children, and honoring and supporting those who serve our nation. For more information or to become a member of the Prince William Resolves Chapter visit: (https://princewilliamresol.wixsite.com/dalecity).

(Sources: HDVI Archive: The Botts Family Files; The Aeronautical World by the Aeronautical World Company, 1902; Thompson, William L. Professor Botts and His Airship, Point Richmond History Association, https://pointrichmondhistory.org/)