Josiah William Ware

While Fanny was in Winchester, she was courted by a young man named Josiah William Ware.  It’s not surprising since we know from family letters that she was “a very beautiful woman” (ref.#2)  Josiah was from an affluent family in the Berryville region; the son of James Ware III and Elizabeth Alexander Ware.  He grew up in the family home called Riverside, but he often spent time in Winchester which was not far away.

Josiah was born on August 7, 1802, so he was seven years older than Fanny. During the years between 1822 and 1827, Fanny continued her education and Josiah soon found his way into public service. In describing him, Rev. Hayden wrote, “he was eminently useful as a citizen, both in private and public life. His methodical and industrious habits enabled him for many years to render important services to his friends and neighbors, whom he was always happy to assist.” (ref.#6) Josiah worked hard at establishing a reputation that was unblemished. He continued his work in Winchester, and there is a “deed on file in Virginia, dated 1825, from Henry & Mary Payne Jr. to Treadwell Smith for a lot in Berryville and Josiah William Ware was shown as Deputy Court Clerk. (ref. #540) He also served on many public committees and began his lifelong interest in politics and government. (ref.#241)

     Josiah also took his patriotic duty very seriously and, at the age of twenty-two, joined the Virginia Militia.  On July 3, 1824, he was commissioned as Captain of a company of artillery in the third regiment and third division of the Virginia Militia. His official commissioning papers were signed by the 22nd Governor of Virginia, James Pleasants, Jr.

So, on February 22, 1827, Josiah and Frances Toy Glassell were married. He was twenty-five years old and she was eighteen. Even though it would take several years to reach total completion, “in the year of his first marriage (1827) Josiah began the construction of ‘Springfield’ (one of the most beautiful houses of its period in the Valley) on land inherited from his mother.” (ref.#61) The land originally belonged to Edward Snickers (a large landowner in Virginia around 1760) and was called “Springfield” even at that time. Edward left the property to his daughter Sarah (Mrs. Morgan Alexander). She, in turn, willed it to their daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. James Ware III), and they subsequently gave the property to their son, Josiah William Ware. (ref. 160) It was a beautiful home; “large cream stucco, with a cupola on the top.” (ref.#2) As one of his sons later remembered, “the house was imposing in appearance; lumber was seasoned for three years before being used. It was large and the rooms were spacious, & there were, I’m sure, at least twenty servants on the place.”

 One of the most significant entries was on March 15, 1831 – -“Henry making cradle.” (Ref.360)  Yes, Frances had just delivered their first baby.  He was born on February 16, 1831, and they named him James.  Josiah had one of his slaves named Henry make a beautiful cradle for his new son.  It had tall spindles and stood on a rocking frame; the workmanship was gorgeous.    Sadly, baby James died at only eight months so he never got to use it much.  Frances soon became pregnant again, however, and on November 26, 1832 she and Josiah had another son.  They named him James Alexander Ware, in honor of his paternal grandmother’s maiden name of Alexander.  

Three years after the birth of James, another son arrived on May 2, 1835 and they named this one John Glassell Ware; obviously using Fanny’s maiden name as his middle name. John would grow to adulthood, but he never had the chance to marry before his death. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1854 and soon after joined the army. He was serving in Galveston, Texas when he died on September 29, 1858 of yellow fever at the age of twenty-three. Unfortunately, there are no known pictures of him.

    A daughter was born to Frances and Josiah on September 30, 1837; named Elizabeth Alexander Ware in honor of her grandmother.  Frances was twenty-eight at the time of her birth.  Elizabeth was a beautiful girl and often went by numerous nicknames over the years.  Her family called her “Kee” or “Key” although we don’t know why.  She was also known as Bessie, Aunt Bessie, and some friends called her simply Bess.  One of her nieces once wrote, “I remember seeing her take down her hair and it touched the floor when she was standing.” 

Another daughter was born on January 10, 1839. She was named Lucy Balmain Ware in honor of the Rev. & Mrs. Balmain who Fanny stayed with while away at school. Then, on April 26, 1841, Frances had her last child – a son names Charles Alexander Ware. He had “a fair complexion, light hair, and blue eyes.” (ref.#106) As the baby of the family, Charles was doted on by his brothers and sisters. He grew up to be a doctor and a confirmed bachelor, but he always stayed especially close to his sister Elizabeth. This probably was, in large part, due to the fact that he never really got to know his mother very well. Charles was only one year old when Frances died, and he was subsequently raised by his father’s second wife, Edmonia Jacquelin Smith Ware.

Those early years of marriage between Josiah and Frances were filled with many blessings and the joys of close family.  Fannie’s sister-in-law (Josiah’s older sister named Sarah Stribling) lived directly across the lane from the young couple with her family.  Her husband was Dr. Sigismund Stribling and their home was known as Morgan Springs.

Unfortunately, Fanny’s health was obviously not good in April of the very next year, for in a letter dated April 1, 1842 from Senator King, he mentioned, “I hope Mrs. Ware has recovered her health.” (ref.#657) It is not known what ailed her, but on May 10, 1842, she passed away quietly at 8 a.m. in the morning. (ref.1) Frances Toy Glassell Ware died at the young age of 33; leaving a grieving husband and five small children feeling lost. James was only ten years old, John was seven, Elizabeth was five, Lucy was three, and little Charles was just one. In a letter to his sister that was written from Winchester, Josiah confided that “Bess asked me today if I was almost done going to see Reverend Balmain.” He also wrote poignantly that “John often asks me what his Ma will say when she ‘comes home’ if she sees him reading.” It must have been a very difficult time for all of them.

JudiHarris52added this on 6 Mar 2010

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Birth: 1802 Death: 1883

Family links:

Spouse:

 Frances Toy Glassell Ware (1809 - 1842)*

Children:

 James Alexander Ware (1832 - 1895)*

 John Glassell Ware (1835 - 1858)*

 Sigismund Stribling Ware (1851 - 1934)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Grace Cemetery Berryville Clarke County Virginia, USA

Created by: George Seitz Record added: May 27, 2006 Find A Grave Memorial# 14424167