Deposition contains account of escape and recapture of formerly enslaved people during the Civil War.

Suit concerns the English estate of Coryndon Carpenter [d. ca. 1776], including extensive genealogical notes.

Divorce suit: Contains love letters from Minnie to her paramour.

Concerning the estate of Brister (also Bristoe) Holmes. Holmes was formerly enslaved by William Taylor Milton's mother. Holmes is credited with establishing "Bristow" a historic African American community in Clarke County.

Original contract between Shenandoah Valley Railroad Company with offices in Philadelphia and Luray, Va. (chartered in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia) and Central Improvement Company based in Pennsylvania. Consists of subcontractors of the Central Improvement Company who contracted for the construction and completion of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad extending from the Potomac River at or near Sheperdstown to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad at or near the Big Lick Station. Whole of said Railroad to be completed on or before 10 August 1872, 2 years from original contract. Road work was suspended in September 1873 and never resumed. The amounts claimed due them are for work done & materials furnished by them in the graduation & masonry upon the said Railroad. Cause was originally filed in Warren County Circuit Court and removed to Clarke County in Oct. 1878. In further causes, individual stockholders on behalf of the Central Improvement Company are suing the law firm that they employed to settle the debts and selling of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Company. Related causes are found in the circuit courts of Roanoke, Virginia. Jefferson County, West Virginia and Washington County, Maryland. The Shenandoah Valley Railroad was to be built by the Central Improvement Company in the states of Virginia, West Virginia & Maryland [SEE ALSO: 1900-021, 1900-022, 1900-023, 1910-019].

Plaintiff is the holder of seven bonds executed by the County of Clarke for the extension of the railroad into the county. Plaintiff seeks payment. Originally, the defendant was known as the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Rail Road Company which then became the Washington & Ohio Rail Road. After a lawsuit in Richmond City, Henry Lewis, etc. v. Washington & Ohio Rail Road, the railroad's name became the Washington, Ohio & Western Rail Road Co. The railroad was supposed to extend from Alexandria to Clarke County by way of the town of Berryville (the county seat). The railroad, however, never extended beyond Loudoun County, as a portion was destroyed during the Civil War. The crossbill filed by the County of Clarke in the Richmond City suit is included with this cause. Eventually, the plaintiff transferred her bonds to Charles J. Philbin of Baltimore City.

William A. Jackson and wife, Sarah S. are African Americans. Plaintiff built 2 story frame house for defendant and family. Due to his death, plaintiff files mechani's lien for money owed. Property is rented for awhile and eventually sold. Sarah S. was a teacher so not sure why she and her children had to lose property. Homestead Exemption waived. See master's thesis written by Donna Camille Dodenhoff. [See also: 1894-019, this is a similar suit where the defendant is able to purchase his house and lot].

William A. Jackson and wife, Sarah S. are African Americans. Plaintiff built 2 story frame house for defendant and family. Due to his death, plaintiff files mechanic's lien for money owed. Property is rented for awhile and eventually sold. Sarah S. was a teacher so not sure why she and her children had to lose property. Homestead Exemption waived. See master's thesis written by Donna Camille Dodenhoff. [See also: 1894-019, this is a similar suit where the defendant is able to purchase his house and lot].

Plaintiff is a son of Daniel Wade and a committee of his brother, Thomas S. (Sewell) Wade. Thomas Wade was a patient in the Western State Hospital in Staunton, Va. from 1879 until his death in 1886. Bernard's father, Daniel Wade, lived with mental health struggles, dying by suicide. Thomas most likely lived with depression which the Western State doctor considered hereditary; however, it appears that Thomas may have been adopted. [See also: 1898-017 and 1899-022].

Shenandoah Valley Railroad ran from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Big Lick, Va. Contracts were made for right of way for the said railroad through the property immediately adjacent to and including the ground whereon the station building of the said railroad company was subsequently built and now stands in the town of Berryville. Original contract was lost or destroyed by fire that occurred in Town of Charlestown, West Virginia where the company headquartered. Company took possession of right of way in 1872. In 1879, the right of way was sold. In 1883, all property was granted to H. W. Baker. In 1891, Norfolk and Western became purchaser of all the franchises, property and property rights of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Co. Defendant filed an action of ejectment against plaintiff, the successor of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Co. Plaintiff considers this act a violation of the terms and conditions of the contract as agreed upon. Plaintiff wants defendant to grant them the right of way.

Exchange of farm in Clarke County for six houses and lots Nos. 60, 64, 66, 70, 72 and 74 on N. Calvert Street in Baltimore County, Maryland. Plaintiff originally resided in Sussex County, Virginia and his wife, Margaret B. Page Harrison was a resident of Philadelphia. Houses lie in area known as "the Belt" (the suburban area just outside Baltimore's city limits). [see also: 1898-020, 1899-022]

Discussion of Castleman's Ferry franchise, found on the Alexander and Winchester Turnpike. The turnpike is a mail route connecting Clarke County with the depot on the Washington and Ohio Railroad.

Plaintiff, H. W. Carpenter resides in Washington, D.C. Property is situated in Longmarsh Township of Clarke County and is known as "Pond Quarter." J. N. Carpenter retired from U.S. Navy in 1879 by reason of an incurable disease that left him with possible mental health struggles. He was a Pay Inspector in the Navy and served on board the U.S.S. Colorado in the East Indies from 1870-1872, where he was exposed to climatic influences, such as malaria. Defendant, Charles E. Beasley resides in Caroline County. Cause is found in 2 folders.

Old Berryville Academy lot to be conveyed to Clarke County School Board "to be used in the instruction by the public school, of youth living in & near town of Berryville." The Academy was found on Lot Nos 16-18, 20, 30-32 in Town of Berryville. Deposition of Maj. Moore contains a lot of genealogy.

Father of defendant, William Temple Allen owned estate "Balclutha" (partly in Clarke County, Va. and partly in Jefferson County, WVa.). Plaintiff once resided in District of Columbia and Arkansas. Defendant was resided in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi. Edgar Allen owned estate known as "Clifton." Mary E. Allen, widow of William Temple Allen, resides in Washington, D.C. Deed (Exhibit A with bill) discusses individuals previously enslaved by William Temple Allen. Certain enslaved individuals were removed to Fauquier County, Va., while other were sold or taken by the Union Army during the Civil War. Richard McCard and Monroe [not otherwise identified] are identified as African Americans and possibly Anthony Robertson.