Virginia
Pennsylvania
1859
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24 slaves sold to mostly Augusta residents for $27,035 by Turk and Cushing, auctioneers.
Augusta County, VA
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Chambersburg Orchestra played its first concert.
Franklin County, PA
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Repository reported Col. A.K. McClure failed to win speakership of PA legislature by only four votes. Citizens of county invited to organize Agricultural Society for "improvement of Animal Stock, Farming Implements, Fruit, Vegetables and Household Manufactures." Three children burned to death in fire which destroyed their home.
Franklin County, PA
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Dr. J.C.M. Merrilatt's stable burned down.
Augusta County, VA
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John Letcher accepted Democratic nomination for governor.
Virginia
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Stockholders of Central Bank of VA elected officers at their annual meeting.
Augusta County, VA
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Members of Lutheran church worked on pastor's house during holiday season, voluntarily improving it by $200. Efforts continue to supply Chambersburg with public library.
Franklin County, PA
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Farmers and Mechanics Industrial Association of Franklin County founded.
Franklin County, PA
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John Gibbens in critical condition after stumbling into fire at blacksmith's shop.
Franklin County, PA
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In 5 days of trial, Daniel Funk found guilty of second degree murder in September 5, 1858 shooting of John Osborn. Funk's brother and supposed accomplice, David, found not guilty.
Franklin County, PA
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N.C. Kinney's 846 acre farm sold at auction to J. Davis Craig at $46 an acre.
Augusta County, VA
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Members of Metropolitan Concert Company skipped town without paying their bills.
Augusta County, VA
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Brothers Thomas and James Walker injured in buggy accident.
Augusta County, VA
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Charges of defrauding Valley Bank of Staunton dropped against George Deneale.
Augusta County, VA
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Celebration of founding of Protection Hook and Ladder Fire Company, which joined Hope and Friendship companies.
Franklin County, PA
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Robbery of John B. Evans' tobacco store by "three negro men." John D. Imboden, Hugh W. Sheffey, A.D. Trotter, P.B. Hoge, William S.H. Baylor appointed to committee for establishment of a college for men in Staunton. Committee hopes to raise $30,000 in subscriptions to buy land and erect buildings.
Augusta County, VA
- National
In Abelman v. Booth, Supreme Court, in response to violation of Fugitive Slave Act, denied right of a state to interfere in a federal case. Comstock Lode, richest known U.S. silver deposit, discovered in western Nevada. Mount Vernon dedicated as a national monument. "Dixie," originally known as "I Wish I Was in Dixie's Land" composed by Dan Emmett.
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Opening of Chambersburg Female Boarding School. Opening of Fayetteville Female Seminary.
Franklin County, PA
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Fire recently destroyed stable but was prevented from spreading by fire company.
Franklin County, PA
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Local farmer had 67 prime sheep, valued at $335, destroyed, probably by dogs.
Franklin County, PA
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Chappell, student at Hampden Sidney College, committed suicide by taking poison. Lumber-working machine displayed at American Hotel.
Augusta County, VA
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Branch of Young Men's Christian Association established in Chambersburg.
Franklin County, PA
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Special meeting of Circuit Court held for trial of Dr. Daniel Downey for murder.
Augusta County, VA
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Popular local hotel "Indian Queen" recently changed ownership.
Franklin County, PA
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Convention of 1100 old-line Whigs held in Richmond.
Virginia
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Fire in Staunton destroyed Mrs. Warden's large barn, but damage to adjoining property limited due to efforts of Fire Association.
Augusta County, VA
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Whig Convention nominated William L. Goggin for governor.
Virginia
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Over 2 days, trial of Dr. Daniel Downey for murder of William Mullins ended in hung jury.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Oregon admitted to Union as 33rd state.
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Meeting of Grindstone Hill (German Reformed) Joint Consistorial Charge, at which Reverend W. D. C. Rodrock announced his resignation, effective April 1.
Franklin County, PA
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Fire destroyed stable in Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
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Fire destroyed Thomas Michie's stable in Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
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W.A. Abney, employee of Staunton liquor distillers Harman and Snapp, acquitted of selling liquor without a license.
Augusta County, VA
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Democrats decided to hold nominating convention in Harrisonburg.
Augusta County, VA
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Local man burned to death in alcohol-related accident.
Franklin County, PA
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Good progress being made on construction of Franklin Railroad.
Franklin County, PA
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Mrs. Kelly's building on South Main St. caught fire but was saved from destruction.
Augusta County, VA
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Meeting of Staunton Masonic Lodge held in tribute of fellow Mason John H. Brown of Staunton, who died on March 23.
Augusta County, VA
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Opening day of March Court; speeches given by Harris, Harman, and Skinner, candidates for Congress. Meeting of Augusta Whigs and Americans held at court house to ratify state party nominees for political office and to nominate county candidates for House of Delegates; Nathaniel Massie, J. Marshall McCue, and Bolivar Christian supported, amidst debate, as nominees for House of Delegates from Augusta County.
Augusta County, VA
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Students at Warm Springs High School gave exhibition of composition, reading, speaking, and musical abilities.
Augusta County, VA
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Construction began on Staunton Gas Works, scheduled for completion around July 1.
Augusta County, VA
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Free African-American from Spring Hill jailed for killing his wife.
Augusta County, VA
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During brief stop in Staunton, candidate for governor William Goggin visited home of John Imboden and was serenaded by supporters, to whom Goggin delivered a speech.
Augusta County, VA
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Free black man jailed for allegedly killing his wife with axe in Greenville.
Augusta County, VA
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Faction of aggrieved, anti-Buchanan Democrats met in Harrisburg.
Pennsylvania
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Lexington Presbytery met at Staunton Presbyterian Church over 3 days.
Augusta County, VA
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Bridge over Juniata River collapsed.
Franklin County, PA
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John B. Grove, Staunton mail carrier, arrested and jailed for theft of money and checks from the mail.
Augusta County, VA
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International Order of Odd Fellows celebrated their 40th anniversary with public procession, complete with toasts and orations. Bands and lodges from Gettysburg, Mercersburg, Roxbury, and Shippensburg were present.
Franklin County, PA
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Thomas Adams of Jenning's Gap killed by lightning.
Augusta County, VA
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Staunton Fire Company purchased used fire engine in Baltimore for $800.
Augusta County, VA
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Augusta Bar passed resolutions of tribute for B. Baldwin Stuart.
Augusta County, VA
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States' rights faction of Democratic party, led by John Forney, met in Altoona.
Pennsylvania
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B. Baldwin Stuart, son of Alexander H.H. Stuart, buried in Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Vicksburg Commercial Convention urged reopening of African slave trade.
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Over 4 days, swarms of locusts began to appear in western parts of county.
Augusta County, VA
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Skinner and Harris, candidates for Congress, gave speeches at county court house.
Augusta County, VA
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Robert Doyle delivered speech at Whig rally at Union Hall, final meeting of Opposition before Election Day. Yankee Robinson's Double Show Circus and Theatre arrived in Waynesboro.
Augusta County, VA
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Yankee Robinson's Double Show Circus and Theatre arrived in Staunton. Election Day. John Letcher won governorship, but Goggin carried Augusta County. John T. Harris won Congressional seat, but Skinner won in Augusta. Mssrs. Massie, McCue, and Christian reelected to state legislature without opposition.
Augusta County, VA
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Moderate Democrat John Lechter defeated fire-eater William Goggin to become governor of VA. Lechter largely owed his election to voters from state's western section where slavery had not taken root.
Virginia
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Hail storm hit parts of county, severely damaging wheat crop.
Augusta County, VA
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Over 4 days, military encampment held in Chambersburg, including companies of Chambers Artillery, St. Thomas Artillery, McConnelsburg National Guards, Wayne Rifles (Waynesboro), Union Guards, and Light Dragoons.
Franklin County, PA
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Hotchkiss brothers purchased Loch Willow farm near Churchville, with plan of opening male boarding school in September. Harrison Parrott, a free black, convicted of 2nd-degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Augusta County, VA
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Festival sponsored by ladies of Staunton Presbyterian Church.
Augusta County, VA
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Hon. George Chambers presented "beautiful and costly" American flag to Chambers Artillery as they escorted visiting St. Thomas Artillery into town. Hail storm destroyed orchards and grain fields of some local farmers.
Franklin County, PA
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Committee of 11 men, led by Mayor N.K. Trout, formed to plan Staunton's July 4 celebration. David Mooney convicted of stealing a horse and sentenced to 4 years in jail. Over 2 days, frost killed or damaged many crops in county.
Augusta County, VA
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July 4 committee appointed individuals to organize fund-raising and arrange housing for military companies.
Augusta County, VA
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Young residents of Chambersburg performed cantata "The Flower Queen."
Franklin County, PA
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Concert given by Turner's Silver Cornet Band.
Augusta County, VA
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Governor Wise arrived in Staunton for a week-long visit during which he gave speeches at public institutions such as the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind.
Augusta County, VA
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First case in VA decided under Banking Act of 1858 decided in favor of banks in dispute over whether banks are liable to pay off checks in specie.
Augusta County, VA
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Commencement week began at Wesleyan Female Institute.
Augusta County, VA
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John Brown, posing as a Dr. Isaac Smith interested in a VA mining project, quietly took up residence in Chambersburg, where he remained intermittently throughout summer and fall, living in Mary Ritner's boarding house on East King Street and surreptitiously accumulating firearms.
Franklin County, PA
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Augusta Female Seminary closed its session for year with concert. Graduation ceremonies held at Wesleyan Female Institute.
Augusta County, VA
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Shyrock, Taylor & Smith Bookstore hosted exhibition of photographs of local figures.
Franklin County, PA
- National
Professor Moses G. Farmer gave first successful demonstration of electric home lighting.
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Augusta Fire Association held torchlight procession.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Robert Barnwell Rhett, in speech at Grahamville, South Carolina, called for South to secede if unable to prevent election of a Republican president.
- National
Constitutional convention held in Kansas.
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Over 4 days, unprecedented heavy frosts hit county.
Augusta County, VA
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Methodist Wesleyan Church of Chambersburg held Sabbath school celebration.
Franklin County, PA
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Lighting storm in Staunton in which houses, people, and livestock were struck by lightning.
Augusta County, VA
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John Light visited town and made Balloon Ascension.
Franklin County, PA
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Steam mill recently opened in Staunton. Messrs. Waterhouse and Bowes helped light Staunton by gas.
Augusta County, VA
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Miss Duke suffered fatal burns when she attempted to fill burning lamp with fuel.
Franklin County, PA
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During August and September, John Brown received several shipments of arms and stored them in Oakes and Caufman warehouse.
Franklin County, PA
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A.K. McClure announced he was suing editors of Valley Spirit for libel.
Franklin County, PA
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Opening of Franklin Railroad line between Chambersburg and Greencastle celebrated with free rides for military personnel and ladies.
Franklin County, PA
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Mrs. Knowles, attendant at lunatic asylum, killed by one of patients.
Augusta County, VA
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Several downtown warehouses robbed.
Franklin County, PA
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William A. Perrin killed by rattlesnake bite at Stribling Springs. David Speck felled one of largest hickory trees in county, measuring five feet in diameter.
Augusta County, VA
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Sunday School picnic held at New Hope.
Augusta County, VA
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"Fancy ball" held at Stribling Springs.
Augusta County, VA
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Professor Sherbrooke of Washington opened writing school in room above Post Office in Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
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Frederick Douglass arrived in Chambersburg for a visit with John Brown. Local farmer's barn struck by lightning and burned to ground, destroying grain stores.
Franklin County, PA
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For 2 days, Van Amburgh's Zoological and Equestrian Company entertained people of Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
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Montague defeated Willey to win lieutenant governorship of VA.
Virginia
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Frederick Douglass delivered fiery address in Chambersburg Public Hall. Sons of Temperance addressed by Rev. Mr. Cummins and then joined by women in processional to a nearby picnic area.
Franklin County, PA
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Over next week, Court of Appeals upheld 1856 Augusta Circuit Court award of damages to Jacob Sanger for injuries sustained in train derailment of Central Railroad Company; first time a VA court settled liability on a railroad for personal injury. Virginia Central Railroad paid 2.5 percent; Augusta County cleared $1000.
Augusta County, VA
- National
First producing oil well in U.S. began to flow near Titusville, PA.
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Chambersburg Public Library opened in room in Mansion House full of donated books.
Franklin County, PA
- National
George M. Pullman's first sleeping car made its first run.
- National
Publication of Our Nig; or Sketches from the Life of a Free Black, the first novel by an African-American, Harriet E. Wilson.
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Meeting of Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Little John rescued at Wellington, Ohio, after being arrested at Oberlin, Ohio as a slave.
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Messrs. Sicher open new store exclusively for ladies in Staunton.
Augusta County, VA
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T. Heyden's livery stable destroyed by fire, but horses escaped.
Augusta County, VA
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Box placed at post office for public contributions to Washington Monument Fund.
Augusta County, VA
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William Farrar arrested for killing Michael Vance during a fight.
Augusta County, VA
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Cornerstone laid at new Methodist Church.
Augusta County, VA
- National
Kansas ratified an antislavery constitution.
- National
John Brown arrived in Harper's Ferry to begin his raid.
- National
Fighting occurred at Harper's Ferry, Virginia.
- National
John Brown captured at dawn.
- National
John Brown taken to Charlestown, Virginia jail.
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Considerable discussion and anger arose in Chambersburg over fact that John Brown resided there during summer.
Franklin County, PA
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Claggett Fitzhugh and Dan Logan, residents of Quincy township, captured John Cook and Albert Hazlett, accomplices in John Brown's raid, in woods near Mont Alto. Three men escaped from Chambersburg Prison. Over next 4 days, Chambersburg enjoyed First Annual Exhibition of Farmers and Mechanics Industrial Association; Franklin County Fair.
Franklin County, PA
- National
John Brown arraigned.
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Over next several days, a number of local citizens ran into bears.
Augusta County, VA
- National
John Brown indicted for treason against Commonwealth of VA.
- National
John Brown's trial began.
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Republican candidates again swept state elections.
Pennsylvania
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John Berry, alias John Wetzel, convicted of stealing horses in July.
Augusta County, VA
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Opposition meeting held in Augusta to expand number of delegates from Augusta going to December state convention.
Augusta County, VA
- National
John Brown sentenced to death.
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Frederick Douglass publicly denied involvement in Harpers Ferry raid.
Franklin County, PA
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Nicholas C. Kinney, veteran of War of 1812 and Augusta Circuit Court clerk, died.
Augusta County, VA
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Jacob Kelly, a local man charged with assault and battery who had previously resisted arrest, finally imprisoned by local authorities.
Franklin County, PA
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Town meeting held at which Gov. Wise was praised and John Brown's raid was condemned as work of William Seward and Republican Party; meeting participants resolved to fight for VA and to raise money to better equip local militia. Over next two days, West Augusta Guard, Mountain Guard of Spring Hill, and VMI cadets ordered to Charlestown for fear that prisoners taken during John Brown's raid would be rescued or attempt to escape.
Augusta County, VA
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New military company, the Staunton Artillery, formed. County meeting held at courthouse endorsed desire of young men of Augusta to form militia companies, decried uprising at Harpers Ferry. Meeting resolved its determination to fight for VA and to raise money to equip local militia more adequately. Meeting held at courthouse to discuss propriety of constructing railroad from Salem to Harrisonburg. Over two days, Mr. Abournet gave ballooning exhibitions at Union Hall.
Augusta County, VA
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Committee appointed to raise money for new volunteer militia companies.
Augusta County, VA
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Laborers on Franklin Railroad went on strike for higher wages.
Franklin County, PA
- National
John Brown hanged at Charlestown, Virginia.
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Professor Benton gave lecture on "Old England" at Union Hall.
Augusta County, VA
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Governor Wise gave a highly sectional speech on Harper's Ferry to VA House of Delegates, calling Brown's raid an invasion on slaveholders and their property.
Virginia
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Rev. D.M. Gilbert installed as new pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Augusta County, VA
- National
John A. Copeland, John E. Cook, Edwin Coppoc, and Shields Green hanged for participation in John Brown's Raid.
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Mountain Guard returned from Charlestown.
Augusta County, VA
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Ladies of Greenville held a Christmas supper and fair.
Augusta County, VA