Apr 17, 2019 Orange County Review
One of the children of Willis Duvall Sr. and Ann was James Madison Duvall, born May 6, 1855, while his mother was owned by Dr. L. L. Holladay. In trying to find more about the Rev. William (Willis) Duvall, I thought it was worth tracking his brother, James Madison Duvall.
He is listed sometimes as Madison Duvall but more commonly referred to as James; thus, I will refer to him here as James.
In 1880, James married Mary Ann Atkins of Culpeper, and in 1900 they were living in Clifton, Allegheny County, Va. and James was working for the railroad. According to the 1910 Census record, James and his family were back in Orange County, in the Gordon District, but near the current-day Lake of the Woods area. The post office was listed as Flat Run. A 1940 Census record listed their owned home on Route 3 near Route 667 (known today as Vaucluse Road). I have two reasons for digging into such detail. One is to find the home they owned, as it must have had some acreage since his occupation was listed as a farmer on his own property. The other reason is to locate the burial ground, and that may be more of a challenge.
James and Annie (as listed in the 1900 Census) had several children including Mattie, John Jackson, daughter Willie, Willis, Clyde, Blanche and others. Daughter Blanche Duvall married Robert Overton and died in 1967. Blanche Overton was buried at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Orange County by Johnson Funeral Home. Clyde Duvall died unmarried at 21 and was buried “near Flat Run” with Johnson Funeral Home officiating.
John Jackson Duvall (1909-1971), married Elizabeth Lawson in 1939 and had two known children, a son named Clyde who passed away in 1999 and a daughter believed to be living. I have reached out to her and am hopeful of a response. Not only might she be able to share additional information on the family, but I can share my findings with her as well.
James Duvall died Nov. 19, 1941, as a widower at his home, presumably the same as that listed in the 1940 Census. Marshall Funeral Home in Culpeper oversaw the service, but no place of burial is listed. If I had to guess, I would say there is a family plot, possibly on the land they owned on Route 3 where Clyde likely was buried in 1923.
At least one question posed in the previous article has been answered by this current research. James Duvall’s death certificate lists a full name for his mother: Ann Wood. It looks like a visit to the county deed records and Johnson Funeral Home are on the schedule. Stay tuned for new developments.
Until next week, be well.
Zann Nelson is a researcher specializing in historical investigations, public speaker and award-winning freelance writer and columnist.