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DR. A. S. BOSWORTH

A History of Randolph County
West Virginia

From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement
to the Present Time

ILLUSTRATED

DR. A. S. BOSWORTH

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

B09665A

-ASTOR, LENOX AND

T1LDEN FOUNDATIONS

R 1932 L

PREFACE

No literary merit is claimed in the presentation of this
book. The purpose of the writer was to present facts and if
any event of historical value will be saved to future genera-
tions, the author will feel compensated for his labors. An
undertaking embodied within this volume involves labor and
research little understood by the average individual. En-
couragement and assistance have been received from many
sources not practicable to enumerate, but none the less
cherished and appreciated.

I acknowledge with gratitude assistance from the follow-
ing individuals in procuring subscriptions: Jesse W. Bird, B.
Y. White, G. W. White, Felix R. Tuning, Rev. Robert Grey-
nolds, Wm. Ft. Conrad and Samuel H. Godwin.

Valuable assistance which the writer acknowledges with
pleasure was given by Hon. T. J. Arnold, Capt. W. H. Cobb,
Col. S. N. Bosworth, Jesse W. Robinson and Geo. W.

Crawford.

—

In the preparation of this volume valuable information
was obtained from Maxwell's History of Randolph, Hay-
mond's History of Harrison, Price's History of Pocahontas,
Morton's History of Pendleton and from Harper's Magazine.

A. S. BOSWORTH.
Elkins, W. Va., 1916.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Physical Features — Chapter 1 7

Pre-historic Randolph— Chapter II 12

Pioneer Period — Chapter III 17

Among the Records of Randolph — Chapter IV 38

Harrison County Court Proceedings — Chapter V 80

Early Military Matters— Chapter VI 86

Early Land Patents— Chapter VII 93

Early Roads in Randolph— Chapter VIII 102

Annals of Education — Chapter IX 106

Civil War Period— Chapter X 114

Laws Ancient and Obsolete — Chapter XI 158

Randolph County Lawyers — Chapter XII 177

Physicians and Surgeons of Randolph — Chapter XIII 181

Porte Crayon in Randolph— Chapter XIV 193

Miscellaneous— Chapter XV 229

Family Histories— Chapter XVI 287

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
Dr. A. S. Bosworth Frontispiece

Big Falls of Cheat 9

Mountains and Valleys 10

Entrance to the Tunnel of Gaudy 11

Indian Trails 12

Stone Hatchet 16

A Pioneer Cabin '. 17

The Historic Site of Tygart Cabin 18

The Joe White Tub Mill 33

A Pioneer Kitchen 31

A Pioneer Barn 35

Randolph's First Court House 38

Signatures of Early Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace 68

Rich Mountain Battle Field 156

The Country Store 191

Soldier White 198

Noosing Trout 200

Goose-plucking 208

The Dance 210

A Flirtation 223

Henry Clay Dean 247

A Primitive Industry 251

Historical Round Barn 255

Dr. Squire Bosworth 307

Mr. Bernard L. Brown 313

Abram Crouch 318

Colonel Elihu Hutton 318

Mr. J. D. Wilson 395

Captain Jacob W. Marshall 430

Mr. James Pickens 433

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 7

CHAPTER I.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

"This our life exempt from public haunts finds tongues in trees,
books in running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything."

THE pioneers of Randolph partook of their rugged environ-
ment in their mental, moral and physical characteristics
That period produced a superior class of men because the
struggle for existence was ameliorated by easy access to the
soil, giving opportunity for culture and the social amenities
and fostering; a generous and hospitable spirit. The extent
and direction in which man is compelled to expend his energy
in obtaining food, shelter and raiment materially influence
his life and belief. In the field of biology it is a well known
law that every leaf, limb or branch is developed because of
the necessity of the organism to obtain support from its en-
vironment. The organism is strong or feeble, depending upon
the munificence with which the surroundings bestow their
gifts.

The proverbial utterance that "mountaineers are always
freemen" is largely true for the reason that a people living in
the seclusion of valleys, surrounded by high mountains are
enabled by Nature's fortresses to impel invading foes. More-
over, the birds in the illimitable air and the animals that roam
at will in the wilds of the woods suggest to man the inherent
right to freedom and independence.

Randolph is the largest county in the State with an area
of 1,080 square miles. The contour of the county exhibits a
series of mountain ranges with parallel valleys. The valleys
are drained by the several forks of the Cheat, the Valley River,
Middle Fork, Buckhannon, Elk and Gauley Rivers. Tygarts
Valley is about 40 miles long and averages one mile in width.
The head of the valley is known as Mingo Flats. The high-
est point in the county is Snyder's Knob in Mingo district
on the Pocahontas line. Its altitude is 4,730 feet, being only
130 feet below Spruce Knob, in Pendleton County, the highest
point in the State. The lowest point in the county is at the

8 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Randolph-Tucker line, on Cheat River with an elevation of
1,765 feet. At the Southern extremity where the Elk River
enters Randolph, the altitude is 2,390 feet and at the Ran-
dolph-Webster line it is 2,000 feet. The Valley River has a
fall in Randolph of 1,325 feet. Cheat River has a fall in
Randolph of 1,930 feet, more than it has in its subsequent
course of 3,000 miles to the Gulf.

The following table will show the elevation of some of
the places in Randolph :

MidcTe Fork Bridge 1,900

Elkins 1,950

Kerens 2,000

Beverly 2,000

Lick , 2,000

Or:ena 2,000

Montrose 2,050

Valley Bend 2,050

Huttonsville 2.0S0

Lee Bell 2,100

Cassity 2,100

Long 2,100

Crickard 2,100

Roaring Creek 2,100

Elkwater 2,200

West Huttonsville 2,300

Helvetia 2,400

Alpina 2,400

Harman 2,400

Day's Mills 2,450

Mouth Fishing Hawk 2,480

Valley Head 2,500

Kingsville '. 2,500

Job 2,600

Laurel Hill B. and B. Pike 2,600

Mingo Flats 2,700

Pickens 2,700

Blue Springs 2,900

Florence 2,900

Glady 2,900

Monterville 3,000

Rich Mountain Battle Field 3,000

Osceola 3,400

The Sinks 3,400

Rich Mountain 3.400

Nettly Mountain 3,400

Currence Knob 3,500

Lone Tree 3,570

Cheat Bridge 3,600

Bickle Knob 4,020

Bayard Knob 4,150

Yokum Knob 4,330

Ward Knob 4.400

Crouch Knob 4.600

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 9

The rocks of Randolph, with few exceptions, are lime-
stone, sandstone and shale. Nearly all of these rocks are of
sedimentary origin. Limestone was formed of the remains
of the shells or skeletons of sea animals, more or less broken
to fragments or even ground to powder in the waves of shal-
low waters. It is much more soluble in water than other
rocks. Sandstone was formed from waste of such rocks as
granite. The sand was washed into the sea or other body ot

Big Falls of Cheat.

water and was there spread out into layers which in the
course of ages accumulated in great thickness. Infiltering
waters, carrying some mineral substance in solution was de-
posited between the grains and bound them more or less
perfectly together. The finer waste of granite rocks formed
shale and slate. Millions of years ago the only dry land in
North America was a mountain ridge lying east of the Alle-
ghenies. This primitive" mountain by an internal force was
forced up out of the bed of the ocean. The rocks forming
this mountain were not sedimentary in origin. The action of
air, wind and water in the course of a long period wore down
this mountain to a base level and deposited its silt and sedi-
ment layer upon layer in the bottom of the ocean. The land
formation crept steadily westward. There were alternate
intervals of upheavals and subsidences. The coal beds of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Randolph formed by compressed vegetation, mark successive
terrestial surfaces. At the time of the formation of the Ap-
palachian plateau, there were no deep valleys or high moun-
tains. The dry land was plastic and formative. There were
anticlinals and synclinals that in the course of long periods
of time by the action of floods, frosts and other agencies
sculped out deep valleys and formed high mountains.

The Mountains and Valleys of Randolph as They Probably Ap-
peared in an Early Geological Period.

Xo lake, probably, ever existed in the present formation
of Tygarts Valley. The outlet of the Valley, with the excep-
tion of temporary land slides, perhaps, has ever been on a
lower plane than its floor. However, that the flood plane of
the valley has been gradually degrading or eroding, is evi-
denced by river terraces in different parts of the valley, cov-
ered by sandstones worn smooth by agitation in a stream with
a rapid current. These terraces are particularly prominent
on the M. J. Coberly farm two miles above Beverly and on
the opposite side of the river on the farm of D. R. Baker.
Cheat River as it passes through Randolph County is being-
eroded or degraded at the rate of two inches per annum.

The Sinks.

Perhaps the greatest natural curiosity in Randolph
County is the sinks, where Gandy Creek makes a remarkable
subterranean passage beneath a spur of the Allegheny moun-
tains. The stream issnes from its lethean channel in three
arched passages side by side on the face of a perpendicular

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

cliff, which abridges the glen by an arched opening fifty feet
wide by twenty feet high. Into this orifice Gandy's waters
incessantly glide. At a low stage of the water a few persons
have succeeded in making their way from entrance to exit.

Entrance to the Tunnel of Gandy.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER II.

PRE-HISTORIC RANDOLPH.

RANDOLPH COUNTY was never the settled abode of the
Red Man. To him it was only a large game reservation,
into which he made periodic incursions for the hunt and the
chase. When the first white men visited the county there

Indian Trails.

was little evidence of any except temporary occupation by
the savages. Squaw patches, or small clearings were found in
some localities: however they were of such a character as
to indicate only transitory habitation. Indian mounds are

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 13

still to be seen in some localities, but as a rule are found on
or near old trails. A mound of considerable size is still visible
on the farm of Archibald Lytle, near where the old fort stood,
about three miles south of Elkins. This mound is on an
Indian trail which passed up Westfall Run to the West side
of Rich Mountain, through the Caplinger settlement on the
East side of the mountain, thence up Chenoweth's Creek.
Excavations in this mound have revealed fragments of human
skulls and stone implements. An Indian burial ground existed
also in Valley Bend district on the Currence farm, once owned
by Henry Clay Dean.

The Indian population in what are now the two Virginias
was never very dense. It is conjectured that at the time of
the discovery of America, the territory embraced in these two
states contained a population of about 8,000 savages. The
Shawnees were the white man's greatest foes during the first
half century of his occupancy of the Xew World. They were
a branch of the Algonquin family. The remnants of this
family live in the Indian Territory, in a condition of semi-
civilization. They are a superior race mentally and physical-
ly. Tecumseh, a member of this tribe, was a man skilled in
the arts of warfare and of dauntless courage. He was a
Brigadier General in the British army in the war of 1812,
and was killed in the battle of the Thames.

The ethnic stages as adopted by most archaeologists are
savagery, barbarism and civilization and in each of the two
lower stages there are three subordinate periods. The dis-
tinction between savagery and barbarism is marked by the
point where the manufacture of pottery is begun. In the
lower status of savagery men lived in their original restricted
habitat and subsisted on fruits and nuts. Articulate speech
may be supposed to have begun in this status. All existing
races of men had passed beyond it at an unknown antiquity.
In the middle status of savagery men had learned how to
catch fish and to use fire. The invention of the bow and
arrow marks its close. The upper status of savagery, in
which some of the lowest American tribes still continue, such
as the Athamaskans of Hudson Bay, ends, as above stated,
with the invention of pottery. They know nothing of horti-

14 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

culture, make no potter)' and depend for subsistence entirely
on roots, fish and game. They have little or no village life.
The lower status of barbarism exhibits the domestication of
animals other than the dog. In 1492, at the time of the dis-
covery of America, the dog was the only animal domesticated
by the North American Indians. This was true of all the
American aborigines, except the Peruvians. The absence of
domesticable animals is no doubt important among the causes
that retarded the development of the American Indians. The
horse, which is shown by fossil remains to have existed in
six or seven species, had become extinct, and was reintro-
duced by the invaders. The regular employment of tillage
with irrigation, and the use of adobe brick and stone in archi-
tecture, marked the end of the lower status of barbarism in
America. The middle status of barbarism was marked in
the Eastern Hemisphere by the domestication of other ani-
mals than the dog, and there as well as in the Western Hemi-
sphere, by the development of irrigation in cultivation, and
the use of brick and stone in building, bv great improvement
in the manufacture of stone implements, and ultimately the
introduction of implements of copper and bronze. The middle
status may be regarded as ending with the discovery of the
process of smelting iron ore ; and this process becomes more
and more important through the upper status of barbarism
and is finally associated with the production of written records
by means of a phonetic alphabet or of advanced hieroglyphics.
Among the influences which have affected the more or less
rapid development of races the following suggest themselves:
The condition of soil and climate as favoring or impeding
the aquisition of ample and varied means of sustenance, the
existence or absence of the various animals suited for domest-
ication, notably, sheep and cattle : the opportunities for con-
tact, by migration, commerce or war, with races occupying a
higher ethnic scale ; inherent ethnological defects or advant-
ages in special races.

The Indian that made incursions into this section, be-
longed to the lower status of barbarism. He practiced a
limited agriculture. However, he domesticated no animal
except the dog. He discovered the tobacco plant, smoked

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 15

but never chewed. Smoking was a civil and religious rite and
was indulged as a means of communicating with the Great
Spirit as well as emphasizing the sancity of treaties between
tribes. Thus originated the phrase "smoking the pipe of
peace." The Indian raised corn and had many ways of pre-
paring it for food. "Green corn" was an important food with
the Indians. Many tribes celebrated its season with festivals
and religious ceremonies. The Indian cleared land by dead-
ening the trees with the stone tomahawk. However, his main
subsistence was upon game and fish. His hut was made ot
long poles bent together and fastened at the top, and covered
with bark. There were two openings, a place to go in and
out and a place for the smoke to escape. Clothing was made
from the tanned skins of animals. His weapons were bone
and stone instruments and the bow and arrow. He was Un-
acquainted with firearms until the white man came. The
tradition that the Indian visited lead and other mines has no
foundation in fact. Implements used in the hunt and the
chase were hurried with the Indian because he believed that
the soul took its flight to the happy hunting ground. The
coward and the deformed were denied admittance to the
Indian's paradise. In scalping and mutilating an enemy, he
prevented his foe from entering this abode of bliss.

The Indian had great skill in finding his way through the
forest. The moss and bark on the trees revealed to him the
prevailing direction of the wind and the rays of the sun. In
this way lie was enabled to distinguish the points of the
compass. Foot-paths were as a rule established along water
courses, but in crossing from stream to stream dividing ridges
were followed. Although not provincial, each tribe claimed
a definite territory, and any infraction thereof was a cause of
war with neighboring tribes. Individual ownership of land
never prevailed and all claims thereto were of a tribal nature.
However, individual rights to cultivated patches were re-
spected, but his use of the land gave him no permanent title.
Tribes consisted of groups, each living in a separate village.
Their laws were founded upon custom. Matters of tribal
interest were settled in council.

The Indian was sometimes a cannibal, but not often, and

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

was closely associated with economic necessity. The custom
was practiced only under circumstances of the direst ex-
tremity. The custom of leaving old men in the woods to die,
is bad enough but not as bad as supposed. They carried the
old man with them until he himself grew tired of being a
burden and begged to be killed. When this point was reached
he was given more than his share of food and left in the woods
to die. He believed in revenge, but it was to be measured by
the offense. His revenge was only directed against his ene-
mies and he at all times defended the members of his own
tribe. Within the tribe everything was shared in common.
However scant the food, it was shared by those present.

Stone Hatchet Taken from Indian Grave on Isner
Farm, Lower Cheat.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER III.

PIONEER PERIOD.

ORANGE County, Virginia, was formed from Spottsyl-
vania county in 1704 and was made to include all the
territory West of the mountains. In 1744 that vast region
was divided into the districts of Augusta and Frederick and
was to be organized into counties as soon as they attained

A Pioneer Cabin.

sufficient population. Monongalia was formed from part ot
Augusta in 1776; Harrison was formed from part of Monon-
galia in 1784 and Randolph from part of Harrison in 1787.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

In I806 Randolph gave part of its territory to the formation
of Tucker county. Randolph also contributed part of its
territory along with other counties in the formation of Nicho-
las, Pocahontas. Upshur and Webster.

Although settlement was made in the adjoining county of
Pendleton in 1747. the first white men to visit the valley were
Files or Foyle and Tygart or Taggart. in 1753. Fovle located
his cabin in the present site of Beverly, a little north of the
Baker Mill, near the mouth of the creek that bears his name
Tygart selected a location farther up the river, on the west
side, now the John D. Weese Brick House Place three miles

The Historic Site of Tygart Cabin, Weese Farm,
Valley Bend District.

from Beverly. Nothing is known of Tygart or Files that
would throw light on their antecedents: however, the tide
of emigration must necessarily have been from the east.
The Tygart family and young Files departed from the county
into Pendleton. These circumstances coupled with the fact
that the name was probably Tag-art rather than Tygart
and the Taggarts were among the first settlers of Pendleton
and other eastern counties, the presumption is very strong in
favor of the hypothesis that these families came into^the
valley from the settlements west of the Alleghenies.

Perhaps. Files and Tygart were induced to push into
the wilderness in pursuit of game. The fertile lands of the
valley, also no doubt, were an inducement.

The difficulties in the way of procuring breadstuff for

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 19

their families, coupled with the perception of the dangers
from Indians on a remote and unprotected border induced
Files and Tvgart to a determination to abandon the valley.
Before they carried their plans into execution Robert Files,
wife and five children, the youngest of which was ten years
old, were murdered by the Indians, who were returning from
the South Branch to the country west of the Ohio. An elder
son not being at home escaped, but being nearby heard the
disturbance and approaching the house learned of the horrible
fate of his relatives, and realizing the utter impossibility of
giving any assistance, resolved to give warning to the family
of David Tvgart, a few miles up the river. Young Files and
the Tvgart family immediately abandoned the country.
Withers says that Files and Tvgart had discovered that their
location was near an Indian trail and an Indian village. No
Indian village existed in dangerous proximity. Mingo on
Mingo Run, 32 miles above, had been many years before the
site of an Indian village. However, it had been abandoned
by the Mingoes many years previous to 1753. Their cabins
were near the trail that entered the valley at Elkwater and
Huttonsville and passed down the river on the east side, and
thence up Leading Creek and over the mountain to Cheat
river.

Tygarts Valley did not attract emigrants for a period of
eighteen years after the disaster attending the efforts of Files
and Tvsart. In the meantime hunters from Greenbrier visit-
ed the valley and on their return gave a glowing description
of the region to the settlements. These reports induced many
settlers to seek homes west of the mountains and most of the
level land in the valley was occupied by permanent posses-
sors during the year 1772. Withers mentions among those
who were first to occupy the valley the names of Hadden,
Conley, Whiteman, Warwick, Nelson, Westfall, Riffle, and
Stalnaker. Westfall found and buried the remains of the Files
family. Settlements were made in what is now Lewis, Taylor
and Harrison counties in the same year. The region that
now comprises Upshur County had been the abode of John
and Samuel Pringle since 1764 and by several other families
since 1769. John and Samuel Pringle were deserters from the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

army at Fort Pitt and sought safety in the seclusion of the
wilderness by ascending the Monongahela and making their
abode in the trunk of a sycamore tree on the west fork of the
Buckhannon, near the mouth of Turkey Run. They made
visits to the South Branch for amunition and their reports
caused others to seek that section for settlement.

Indian hostilities, which had been in abeyance since
176o, were renewed in 1774. There is a diversion of opinion
as to the cause. Some think that the unprovoked murder of
several Indians caused them to seek revenge, while others
are inclined to the opinion that they were instigated to out-
rages upon the whites by British emmisaries and that the
savages who committed the deeds were ignorant of the out-
rages committed upon the members of their own race. Three
Shawnees, friendly to the whites, were killed near Wheeling
by the settlers. Three Indians were killed on the South
Branch while on a friendly visit to that country. Among the
number killed were Captain Peter and Bald Eagle, two In-
dians of prominence in their tribes. About the same time a
few white men exterminated Chief Bull and five families of
Indians on the Little Kanawha, in cold blood, in what is
now Braxton county. Bull and his little band were on terms
of intimate friendship with the settlers, visiting and hunting
with them. I he people expected renewed hostilities on the
part of the Indians and in 1774 two forts were built in Ran-
dolph. The Westfall fort, evidences of which still remain on
the farm of Daniel Baker, near the mouth of Files Creek
and the Currence fort which was built near the present town
° f.M,H Creek" Thes* f°rts were constructed of loos. with
chimneys on the inside to keep the Indians from reaching the
roof. Roles were left between the logs to shoot through
there was no visitation this year from the Indians. However
the settlers kept scouts in the mountains, watching the trails
leading into the valley. On the first indication of danger
the settlers took refuge in the forts. The Revolutionary war
brought Indian troubles in 1777. On the frontier this' year
was known as the bloody year of the three sevens The
British were instrumental in causing the Indians to make an
effort to exterminate or drive 'back the western settlers The

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 21

whites were apprehensive and vigilant. Leonard Pedro and
William White were sent out as scouts to watch Indian trails
leading- into Randolph. They were watching- the path that
ascended the Little Kanawha, in Uraxton County, when being
pressed by the necessity for food, shot an elk. A number of
Indians being in the neighborhood, heard the report of their
gun and stealthily followed them to their camp, and were in
the act of making an attack when they were discovered by
White. A savage sprang upon them and White made a futile
strike at the Indian with a tomahawk. Realizing that re-
sistance was useless, White pretended that he had attempted
to do the Indian harm only when half awake, and assumed an
air of friendliness. He told the Indians that Pedro and him-
self were on their way to join the Indians. Perhaps his ruse
would have been successful if Pedro's dejected countenance
had not contradicted his pretentions. They were' tied for the
rest of the night. In the morning Pedro was marked for the
tomahawk and scalping knife by being painted black. How-
ever, the Indian abandoned their purpose of killing Pedro and
returned to Ohio, taking their two captives with them. White
stole a gun, killed an Indian, appropriated the horse of his
fallen foe and returned to Randolph in 1777. Pedro was
never heard of afterward.

As a rule the settlements were free from Indian molesta-
tion during the months of winter, for the reason that they
could be followed by their tracks, as well as from the fact
that their scant clothing was not sufficient for the rigors of
such a trip through the mountains. However, whether they
followed White or came on an independent mission of mas-
sacre and plunder, a party of about twenty Indians approach-
ed to within about twenty miles of the settlements in Novem-
ber. A snow had fallen and they waited until December 15th.
When it disappeared on that date, they attacked Darby Con-
noly's house in the upper valley, and having killed him, his
wife and several of his children, they took the others prison-
ers. The graves of the Connoly family are still to be seen
on the farm once owned by Harmon Conrad, on which there
was a salt well drilled at one time. They next visited the
house of John Stewart, and killed him, his wife and his child.

22 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

carrying away his sister-in-law, Miss Hamilton, as a prisoner.
John Hadden discovered the murder of the Stewart family
and reported the tact to Colonel Benjamin Wilson at Wilson's
Fort. Wilson's Fort was situated about thirty miles down
the river. Colonel Wilson was an officer in the Revolutionarv
army. With thirty men Colonel Wilson followed the men
five days through the rain and snow, often wading ice cold
streams waist deep, but the Indians could not be overtaken.
The settlers were not molested in 1778. But the next year the
Indians shot and killed Lieutenant John White from the road-
side. Colonel Benjamin Wilson with a party of men tried to
intercept the Indians on their Westward return at the mouth
of Sand Fork on the Little Kanawha, but the Indians re-
turned by a different route.

Early in March, 1780, Jacob Warwick and others from
Greenbrier county visited Randolph as Government surveyors.
Kilbuck was scouting the mountains at the time with bands
of Mingoes and Shawnees. Mr, Warwick and his company
felt themselves in comparative safety on account of the snow,
which would betray the Indians' tracks to the settlers. Wrhile
the Greenbrier party was at Haddan's Fort, Thomas Lackey
reported that he had seen moccasin tracks in the snow a few
miles above the fort, and heard a voice say in an undertone,
"Let him alone ; he will go and bring more." An escort ot
men went with the Greenbrier party to the place where
Lackey saw the Indian signs. When near the place Andrew
Sitlington's horse showed signs of fright. Mr. Sitlington
then saw the Indians, but for the moment could not speak
from fright. Warrick's attention was attracted and he cried
out, "Indians! INDIANS!!" Thereupon the Indians fired,
wounding one member of the party and Mr. Warwick's horse.
The horse sank to the ground and the rider was in the act
of throwing off his cloak to facilitate his escape when the
horse arose and started off at a rapid speed and away from
their assailants. Jacob Warwick, James McLean, Thomas
Cartwill and Andrew Sitlington comprised the party on horse
back, all of whom escaped. John McLean, James Ralston and
John Nelson were killed. This occurred on Windy Run.
John McLean was killed about thirty yards from the brow of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 23

the hill. James Ralston was killed while ascending the hill.
James Crouch was wounded near the summit of the hill, but
escaped and recovered. John Nelson attempted to escape
down the river, but was met by a stout warrior and after a
severe struggle was killed. But the shattered gun stock, the
uptorn earth and Indian hair still in his clinched fist gave evi-
dence that he had fought bravely. Mr. Warwick's horse re-
ceived only a slight wound in the thigh and carried him to
his home in Greenbrier County the same day. The Indians
occupied the road above and below where they were attacked,
those on horseback were enabled to out-distance the Indians,
but the foot men were compelled to cross the river and ascend
a steep bluff on its opposite side. In attempting this several
lost their lives.

Soon after this a family by the name of Gibson was at-
tacked at their sugar -cam]), on a branch of the Valley River.
They were made prisoners and the return trip to the country
west of the Ohio with their captives was undertaken. Mrs.
Gibson, being incapable of undergoing the fatigue of the trip,
was tomahawked and scalped in the presence of her children.
The other members of the family were carried into captivity
and were never heard of afterward.

In April 1781, Indians attacked a party of five men wno
were returning to the present county of Tucker, from Clarks-
burg, where they had been to obtain deeds for their lands.
John Minear, David Cameron, and a Mr. Cooper were killed.
Messrs. Miller and Goff escaped, one returning to Clarks-
burg, the other to St. George. The Indians continued their
course toward Cheat, but meeting Stephen Radcliff and James
Brown, whom they could neither kill nor capture, and no
longer believing that they could surprise the Cheat River
settlements, changed their course and passed over to Leading
Creek, and nearly destroyed the entire settlement. They
killed Alexander Rooney, Mrs. Dougherty, Mrs. Hornbeck
and her children as well as many others and made prisoners
of Mrs. Alexander Rooney and her son, and Daniel Dough-
erty. Johnathan Buffington and Benjamin Hornbeck succeed-
ed in escaping. Mr. Hornbeck lived about a quarter of a mile
east of where White Station now stands, on the north bank

24 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

of Stalnaker Run. The remains of the chimney of Horn-
beck's cabin is still visible on the farm of Obadiah Taylor.
It seems that the Hornbeck family had some intimation of the
presence of the Indians in the community and had left the
house and were in the woods on the hill nearby. The Indians
visited and plundered the house and were in the act of leaving,
when the whereabouts of the family was betrayed by the
barking of a dog that was with them. Mr. Hornbeck, fearing
to approach his house, mounted a horse in the field without
saddle or bridle and rode hurriedly to Wilson's Fort, six
miles up the valley. Colonel Wilson raised a company and
pursued the Indians, but the men becoming alarmed lest their
families be murdered in their absence, returned without over-
taking the savages. In the meantime word had reached
Clarksburg of the murder of land claimants on their return
home and a number of scouts were sent out to intercept the
Indians on their return to the Ohio. Their trail was discov-
ered on the West Fork River, near Isaac Creek, in the present
county of Harrison. Colonel William Lowther of Hacker's
Creek, raised a company to pursue them. They were over-
taken on a branch of Hughes River, in Ritchie County in the
evening. They waited until the Indians were asleep and then
opened fire. Five were killed, the others escaped, leaving
everything in camp, except one gun. One white man, a
prisoner, was killed. He was the son of Alexander Rooney
and his sad fate was much regretted by the whites, who had
been very cautious in trying to prevent such an accident.
Withers relates the following amusing incident in connection
with the affair: "Daniel Daugherty, an Irishman, came near
being killed by the whites. The Indians had him tied down
and he was so cold he could scarcely speak. Colonel Low-
ther's part}- rushed forward after the first fire, and mistaking
Daugherty for a wounded Indian, they were about to dis-
patch him with a tomahawk, when fear loosened his tongue
and he exclaimed, 'Lord Jasus ! and am Oi to be killed by
white people at last!' His life was saved. Mrs. Rooney was
overcome with the prospect of deliverance. She ran toward
the men saying. 'I'm Ellick Rooney's wife of the Valley! and
a pretty little woman too, if well dressed !' : She was not
aware that her son had been killed.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 25

On this raid the Indians killed James Wilmoth. The Wil-
moth's were at Wilson's Fort, either in anticipation of an
Indian raid or as a result of the recent one on Leading Creek.
James Wilmoth, leaving the other members of the family at
the fort returned to his home on Cheat to attend to some
skins he had in process of tanning. The barking of a dog
which was with him betrayed him to the Indians and he was
shot and killed, near where the Stone Plouse now stands.
Some of the Indians were afflicted with small pox and jumped
into the ice cold water of Wilmoth's Millrace for relief. They
died from the exposure.

A band of from twenty to thirty Indians visited the
vallev in the summer of 1782. They were led by a renegade
white man by the name of Timothy Dorman. John Bush and
his wife, Jacob Stalnaker and his son. Adam, were ambushed
on the old road, as they were crossing a drain, on the old Hoy
McLean place, about a mile south of Arnold station. Young
Stalnaker was shot from his horse and killed, but his father,
and Bush and his wife escaped. The fleeing party had a close
race with the Indians to the river, being so near some times
as to try and reach the bridle reins. The whites plunged into
the river and the Indians abandoned pursuit. The Indians
were followed by the aroused settlers. When near the crest
of Rich Mountain, at a point which afterward became the
scene of the Rich Mountain battle, the Indians were over-
taken. When just east of the top of the mountain as an
Indian stooped to drink from a spring, he was shot and killed
by a man by the name of Morgan. The other savages escaped
and were pursued no farther.

The Indians made their last hostile raid into the valley
on May 11, 1781. Two or three families, as a measure of pro-
tection, lived with Joseph Kinnan, whose cabin was one mile
above the mouth of Elkwater on the west side of the river on
the land that afterward became the Adam See farm. Haddan's
Fort was less than a mile down the river. The Indians ap-
proached the house a little after dark and finding the door
open, walked in. Mr. Kinnan was sitting on the bed and the
Indian extended his hand in a friendly manner saying, "How-

26 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

d-do, how-d-do?" Mr. Rinnan was in the act of extending
his hand when an Indian in the yard shot him dead. A young
man by the name of Ralston, who had been working in the
house with a drawing-knife, struck an Indian with it and
cut oft" his nose. Another Indian fired at Ralston, but missed
and the young man escaped. The Indians killed three of
Rinnan's children, but two others, Lewis and Joseph, escaped
with the assistance of Mrs. Ward, through a rear window.
Air. Rinnan's brother, Rewis, was sleeping in a rear room and
escaped through the window. Airs. Rinnan was taken prison-
er and remained with the Indians several months in the
western country until General Wayne conquered the Indians
at the battle of Fallen Timbers. Andrew and Joseph Crouch
living a few miles below on the river, were notified next day.
They took their families to the home of James Warwick who
lived near where the Brick Church was built in later years,
and with some neighbors hurried to the rescue of the settlers
up the valley. While they were absent the Indians visited
the Warwick home where there were three white women,
several children and a colored man and his wife. An Indian
climbed to the roof of one of the buildings after nightfall and
set it on fire. The colored man put the fire out. Then the
stable was fired. The colored man went out and seeing an
Indian by the light of the burning building, shot at him and
let the horses out and returned in safety to the fort. When
the barn burned down and darkness returned the colored
woman left the fort and gave the alarm to the settlers down
the river. Next day the inmates of the fort were rescued.
This party also proceeded to the scene of the Rinnan massacre
and buried Mr. Rinnan and his children. The settlers be-
lieved that the Indians had withdrawn from the valley. How-
ever, they were lurking in the community and before leaving
killed Frank Riffle and William Currence and burned two
houses belonging to James Lackey. Riffle and Currence were
killed on the divide between Becca's Creek and Riffle's Creek,
near the later location of the Brick Church.

An inventory of the Joseph Rinnan estate was placed on
record in Randolph County Clerk's Office, June 21, 1793
with Edward Hart as administrator. The personal propertv

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 27

was valued at $517, a list of which is given below: "9 horses,
wheat and rye, two curtains, 2 pairs pillows and cases, 1
towel, 1 fine shirt, 1 lawn apron, 1 black apron, 1 cambrick
apron, fine trumpery, 1 silk-gause apron, 2 handkerchiefs,
children's clothing", 1 coat, 1 jacket, 5 long gowns, 1 pair of
shoes and silver buckles, 3 petty-coats, 2 check aprons, 4 short
gowns, 2 beds and bed-clothing, 1 pair of pockets, 4 platters,
6 basins, 2 plates, 2 kegs, 1 pail, 1 pot tramble, 1 iron kettle,
2 scythes, 1 set of hangings, 1 gun, 1 pan, 2 bridles, 36 hogs,
16 cattle, 3 sheep, 1 grubbing hoe, two pairs plow irons and
devices, 2 pots, 1 jug, 1 candlestick, 2 flat irons, 1 pair of
shears, 9 spoons, steelyards, 1 brush, 2 collars, 1 ax."

Tradition says that the Indians twice visited the Wil-
moth settlement on Cheat. On one incursion they killed
James Wilmoth and on another raid all were absent from
the house except Mrs. Wilmoth. They searched the house
and premises for the men, occasionally throwing their toma-
hawks into the logs of the cabin, at the same time giving vent
to savage exclamations of threat and anger, as much as to say
what they would do if the men could be found. In the mean-
time Mrs. Wilmoth had prepared a pot of corn meal mush,
putting it in a sugar trough with milk and maple syrup,
giving each Indian a spoon. The half famished savages par-
took of the repast with evident signs of delight and gratifica-
tion. When one of the company would violate a rule of Indian
table etiquette, he was punished by a stroke on the head with
a spoon, accompanied by words of admonition with violent
gesticulations, not to repeat the indecorum. After finishing
their meal, the Indains fastened their eyes on Mrs. Wilmoth
in a studious and penetrating gaze for several moments, evi-
dentlv debating in their own minds what should be her fate,
then giving a warwhoop they continued on their marauding
expedition. Mrs. Wilmotlr's diplomacy saved her life and
established the fact that things more material and prosaic
than music hath charms to soothe the savage breast.

The family of William Leavitt, who settled, in 1780, on
the lands now owned by Drs. J. L. and Perry Bosworth, two
miles north of Daily Station, was attacked by the Indians
and the entire family, father, mother, and several children

28 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

were tomahawked and scalped. The mother, though left for
dead, revived, was rescued by her neighbors and completely
recovered. The dead were enshrouded in deer skins and
buried at the Currence graveyard, on the lands now owned
by John D. Weese. The date of the tragedy is uncertain, but
it was subsequent to 1780.

Then Indians at another time visited that community.
The date is not definite, but the facts are direct from the lips
of Isaac White, who was a member of the party, to persons
now living. The cabin in this incident was situated near
where the Troutwine Run crosses the county road on the
Bosworth farm. The men were harvesting in the field in the
bottom below. The community was apprehensive and several
families were congregated at the cabin. The women usually
accompanied the men to the field but on this particular day
had remained at the cabin for a few minutes to attend to
household duties following the mid-day meal. The Indians,
who were lurking near by, thought the time opportune tor
an attack, but as they approached the house they were dis-
covered by the women. Realizing that their lives depended
upon reaching the men in the field, they took to flight and in
crossing the fence to the field, raised their hands above their
heads and shunted. "Indians!" The hand of one of the women
was piereced by a bullet, as a result of a volley from the
Indians. All others escaped injury. The men seized their
rifles and started in pursuit. The savages fled to the adjacent
forests and soon eluded their pursuers.

The Murder of the Bozart Family.

In the summer of 1795 the trail of a large party of Indians
was discovered, leading toward the settlements on West Fork
of the Monongahela, Tygarts Valley or on the Buckhannon,
near where the town of Buckhannon is now situated. The
trail was discovered in what is now Lewis County. Messeng-
ers were sent immediately to these settlements warning them
of possible danger. John Bozart lived on the Buckhannon
River, near the present town of Buckhannon, but at the time
of the massacre of his family in 1795, the Buckhannon settle-
ment was within the territory of Randolph.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 29

Mr. Bozart and his two sons, John and George, were en-
gaged in hauling grain to the barn near the house. They were
alarmed by the shrieks of the family at the house and hasten-
ed to ascertain the cause. George approached the house a
few paces in advance of his father, but the latter saw an
Indian raise his gun to shoot the son, and shouted, "SEE
George, an Indian is going to shoot you." The young man
was too near the Indian to escape by flight, but watched close-
ly the movements of the Indian and when he pressed the
trigger young Bozart fell. The ruse was a success and the
Indian, believing the young man dead passed on in pursuit
of the father. The old gentleman proved a good runner and
was leaving the Indian, when the savage in despair threw his
tomahawk at him which passed harmlessly by and he made
his escape. When George Bozart fell, as though dead, he lay
upon the ground expecting to be scalped, determined to seize
the Indian by the leg as he would bend over him and en-
deavor to bring his antagonist to the ground, where he hoped
to successfully grapple with him. The Indian passing him
in pursuit of his father, the young man arose and fled. He
overtook a younger brother hobbling along on a sore foot.
George gave him every assistance he could until he observed
another savage closely pursuing them. Although much ad-
verse to leaving his brother, he knew that remaining with
him meant death to both. Taking to rapid flight, he soon
came up with his father in the woods. Mr. Bozart, believing
that his son was dead and hearing some one approaching,
supposed he was being pursued by an Indian and seizing a
heavy stick, turned to face his antagonist. He was greatly
surprised to see his son and exclaimed, "WHY GEORGE, I
thought you were dead." In his mistake he evinced a joy-
ful moment in an awful tragedy.

At the house two or three children were massacred and
Mrs. Bozart and two boys were spared and taken to the
Indian towns west of the Ohio. They were surrendered to
General Wayne at Greenville on September 9, 1795 by a
party of Shawnees, numbering sixty or seventy. Puck-se-kaw,
in delivering the prisoners spoke as follows: "My Father:
I have been in the woods a long time. I was not acquainted

30 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

with the good works which were transacting at this place by
you and all our great chiefs. Last spring when we were
hunting peaceably, our camp on the Sciota was robbed. We
are very poor and the mischief that has since been done was
in retaliation for the injuries then received. As soon as I
received this belt, which you sent me by Blue Jacket, one
of our great chiefs, and as soon as I was informed by him
that the good work of peace was finished, I arose to come to
see you and brought with me these four prisoners. I now
surrender them to you, my father, and promise you that we
will do you no more mischief.

"I hope for the future we shall be permitted to live and
hunt in peace and quietness. We were poor and ignorant
children, astray in the woods, who knew not that our nation
and all other tribes of Indians had come in and made peace
with you. J thank the Great Spirit for at last opening our
eyes. Father, we beg you will forgive and receive your re-
pentant children. These people whom I now deliver to you
must plead our forgiveness and vouch for our conduct for the
future."

The Last Indian Raids in Randolph.

The last Indian raids in Randolph were between the
middle of June and the last of July, 1792. In that year they
made three incursions in Randolph, but confined their depre-
dations to stealing horses. On their return, they were at-
tacked by a part\- of scouts on the Ohio and one Indian was
wounded and the horses recovered. Although this was the
last visit of the savages to Randolph, alarms were frequent
until the victory of General Wayne over them at Fallen
Timbers in 1794 and the treaty in the subsequent year. Scouts
and militia were kept in constant service until after captives
were returned after the Treatv of Peace at Greenville in
August, 1795. At different times after 1792 Indian trails
Avere discovered leading toward the valley, but the vigilance
of scouts and militia prevented them penetrating the frontier
farther than the Buckhannon settlement, which they visited
in 1795, taking captive Airs. Bozart and three children, and
killing two or three of the smaller ones.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 31

The following tribes subscribed to the Greenville treaty :
Wyandottes, Ottawas, Miamas, Kicapoos, Delawares, Chip-
pewas, Eel Rivers, Paneshaws, Shawnees, Pottowotamies,
Weas, and Kaskaskies.

Treaty of Lancaster.

By the treaty of Lancaster, Pa., 1744, the Indians re-
linquished their claim to all the lands between the Blue Ridge
Mountains and the Ohio River. This was the first convey-
ance to title to lands in this vast region. The consideration
was £400 — one-half in gold and one-half in goods. In the
negotiations the Indian chiefs stated that the acquisition of
the territory by conquest had cost them many lives. The
treaty was as follows:

To all people to whom these presents shall come: Con-
asatngo, Joneeat, Caxhayion, Torachdadon, Xenrranarkto,
Sachemsor, Chiefs of the nations of the Onondagors ; Saqur-
hsonyunt, < iasroddodon. Huarasaly-akon, Rowamthalyhisso,
Occoghquah, Seventies, Sachems or Chiefs of ye nations of
ye Cahugoes ; Suadany alias Shirketiney, Onishudagony, On-
onthkallydoroy alias W'alrattuah, Tohosnorororow, Arrighah-
horvand, Tiorhoosoy, Sachems or Chiefs of the Tuscaroras ;
Tansanegoesand, Toniknunitus, Sachems or Chiefs of ye na-
tions of ye Senekers. send greeting:

Whereas, the six united nations of Indians laying claim
to some lands in the Colony of Virginia, signified their willing-
ness to enter into a treat}' concerning the same. Whereupon,
Thomas Lee. Esq., a member of the Ordinary of his Majesty's
Honorable Council of the State and one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court of Judicature in the Colony, and William
Beverly, Esq., Colonel and County Lieutenant of the County
of Orange and one of the representatives of the people in the
House of Burgesses of that Colony, were deputed by the Gov-
ernor of the said Colony as Commissioners to treat with the
said Six Nations or their Deputies, Sachems or Chiefs, as
well of and concerning their said claim as to renew their
covenant chain between the said Colonv and the said Six
Nations, and the said Commissioners, having met at Lan-
caster, in Lancaster County and province of Pennsylvania,

32 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

and as a foundation for a stricter amity and peace in this
juncture, agreed with the said Sachems or Chiefs of the said
Six Nations for a Disclaimer and Renunciation of their Claim
or pretense of Right whatsoever of the said Six Nations and
an acknowledgement of Right of our Sovereign, King of
Great Britain to all the land in the said County of Virginia.

Now Know Ye, in and for the sum of four hundred
pounds current money of Pennsylvania, paid and delivered
to the above named Sachems or Chiefs, partly in goods and
partly in Gold Money by the said Commissioners, they the
said Sachems or Chiefs on behalf of the said Six Nations do
hereby renounce and disclaim not only all the right of the
said Six Nations, but also recognize and acknowledge the
right and title of our Sovereign, the King of Great Britain
to all the land within the said Colony as it now or may here-
after be peopled and bounded by his said Majesty, our Sov-
ereign Lord, the King, his Heirs and Successors.

In Witness Whereof, the said Sachems or Chiefs, for
themselves and in behalf of the people of the Six Nations afore-
said have herewith set their hands and seals this second day
of July in the 18th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord
George the Second King of Great Britain and in the year
of our Lord 1744.

Signed by all the above named Chiefs.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Edward
Jennings at a General Court held at the Capital, October
25, 1744.

This Deed Poll was proved by ye oaths of Edward Jen-
nings, Esq., Phillip Ludwell Lee, Esq., and William Black,
three witnesses thereto and by the Court ordered to be
recorded.

Teste: (Signed)

BEN. AVALTER, CI. Ct.

Early Customs.

It was some time after the first settlement of the county
before the pioneers had the convenience of grist-mills. In
the meantime various substitutes were devised. First, wa^

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

the hominy block, then followed the hand mill. However,
the settlers, later, availed themselves of the excellent water
power furnished by the numerous streams in the county and
tub mills were built in many localities. The hominy block
was made by burning a large cavity like a druggists mortar
in a block of elm wood. This was made to hold about a
peck of grain. After soaking the grain in tepid water, it was
pulverized by a wooden pestle. The coarse and fine particles
were separated by a seive made by stretching a perforated

The Joe White Tub Mill, Dry Fork.

deer skin over a hoop. The fine meal was used for bread and
the coarse for hominy.

The log house was necessarily the only kind of house
built. The first houses were unhewn. The floor was made
of puncheons. The roof was made of clapboards held on with
weight poles. The stairway was a ladder of pegs fastened
in the side wall. Some cabins were built with fire places so
large that practically an entire tree could be used as a back-
log. There was a door at each end of the fire place, which
extended nearly across the cabin, and a horse would be driven
in, dragging the log by the chain. Then the chain would be

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

unhooked and the horse would he loosened and go out the
other door. The log would then he rolled into the fire place.
The first settlers were under the necessity of making, with
their own hands, or at least having made in the immediate
neighborhood all the things essential in the home and on the
farm. Every well ordered household had a loom, spinning
wheel, little and big, a flax breaker, sheep shears and wool
carders. All the processes that converted the wool or flax

\ \

A Pioneer Kitchen.

into clothing were deftly done at home with their own tools,
by the mothers and daughters. The apparel worn by both
sexes was made from linen and woolen fabrics, which had
been woven on the loom in the farm house and dyed with
coperas in combination with various barks. Buckskin pants
were often worn, and vests from fawn skins and caps from
coon skins were in vogue in some communities until the Civil
War. In the winter, moccasins were worn. They were made
from deer skin, came up around the ankles and were tied
with "buck-skin" strings.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 35

Stoves did not come into use until a comparatively recent
period. All cooking- was done over the fire place or in the
bake oven. Kettles were suspended from a hook and tram-
mel, which was fastened to an iron bar, secured in the chimney
above. Matches not being in use, fires were kept as much as
possible by covering live coals, or burning embers with ashes.
When the fires went out however, a "chunk" was brought
from a neighbor's supply, or resort was had to flint and steel
with punk and tow. Kerosene lamps, being a later day in-

* ■

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■■ ■

•X-

3?g ; *

■

■ ■ . %

■ w

A-

'«,*•

■tJMWS

% 'r 'l~

A Pioneer Barn.

novation, candles, pine knots or the ordinary dip light was
improvised. The "dip" was made by immersing a twisted
thread or cotton string in hog's lard or bear's oil and lighting
the free end.

The practice of agriculture was rude and the most primi-
tive tools were used. The plow was made entirely of wood
and oxen drew them, as a rule, instead of horses. Harrows
were made of wooden pegs in a wooden frame. Sometimes
crab bushes or thorn bushes were substituted. The harvest
was gathered with a sickle. Forks were made from forked
dogwood saplings. Threshing was done, usually, with a flail
and fifteen bushels was considered one dav's work. Newly

36 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

shod horses were sometimes used to tramp out the grain.
Two or three pairs of horses would tramp out fifty bushels
in one day. The grain was separated from the chaff by
throwing both in the air and letting the wind separate them.
Then came the hand wind mill and later the horse power
thresher.

In pioneer days a wedding was an event of great social
importance. Xo effort was spared to celebrate the event in
such a way as to make the event a memorable one. It was
a time of much mirth and pleasure. The wedding party
started in a double file from the home of the groom, when
within a mile of the home of the bride, an Indian warhoop was
given and all raced at full speed. The one reaching the house
first was given a bottle that was awaiting the victor. All
were then expected to participate, men and women, in the
refreshing and stimulating contents of the bottle, when it
was returned to the winner. A feast followed the wedding
ceremony, which was duplicated at the infare at the groom's
home. Horn and puter spoons and hunting knives not in-
frequently adorned the table on these occasions. After supper
the young people enjoyed themselves in the mistv mazes of
the dance. In pioneer parlance, it was the "hoe down."
Occasionally the violinist was not an expert in his art and if
his music failed to ascend in lofty and inspiring strains or fall
in soft and sweet cadences, it was then that some rustic and
unappreciative youth would likely compare his strident strains
to "choking the goose." Other occasional festivities were
corn huskings, log rollings, and house raisings. In the fall
months, on a moonlight night the pioneer would ask in his
neighbors, and from dark until 11 or 12 o'clock there would
be a joyous combination of work and sport. There would be
a contest between individuals and groups as to which would
finish their work first, or which would rind the most red ears
of corn. All hands would occasionally take a rest to draw
fresh inspiration from the pitcher of cider or the jug of "apple
jack." The log rolling and the house raising were also affairs
of festivities as well as of hard work. These undertakings
were impossible undertakings alone, but with the combined
assistance of friends and neighbors the task was easv. Then

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 37

it afforded an opportunity to cultivate the social amenities.
While father and son were busy with the throng at the rolling
or raising, the mother and daughter were having a season of
mirth and enjoyment at the house, cooking and quilting.

Wild Animals.

The mountains and valleys of what is now Randolph
county was the habitat of many wild animals. This was a
blessing to the pioneer in many ways. They not only sup-
plied his larder with meat, but their skins covered his naked-
ness and protected him from the elements. The hunt and
the chase also furnished him with diversion and relieved the
monotony of an isolated life. The elk. deer, buffalo, panther,
bear, otter, beaver, raccoon, wolf and catamount were the
principal wild animals found by the first white men. The
panther and wolf perhaps yet remain in very limited numbers
in the eastern part of the county. The elk and buffalo disap-
peared early. A few deer remain and the black bear is rather
plentiful in the mountain districts in the eastern part of the
count}. The wild turkey, pheasant and owl were here in
abundance. The eagle, though not so plentiful, made its home
among the crags and cliffs of our mountain peaks. The wolf
was very numerous and very troublesome to the pioneer. It
was necessary to fasten sheep and calves in an enclosure every
night to prevent their destruction. Wolves were soon deci-
mated, not so much by the hunter's rifle as the prevalence of
rabies among them. Many were infected, ''went mad," and
often attacked the settlers in their homes. Wolves exhibited
great cunning in preying upon other animals. They hunted
in packs. They followed the deer in company until they be-
came tired, then one kept the deer going until it made a turn
in the direction of another wolf, which was sniffing the wind
for scent of its prey. The deer was thus pursued by fresh
wolves until it became the victim of their ravenous appetites.

The black bear is a timid animal and is not inclined to
attack man only in self defense or in defense of its young. It
was an object of superstitious reverence to the Indians, who
never killed it without apologizing and deploring the neces-
sity which impelled them to do so.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COL" Nil

CHAPTER IV.

AMONG THE RECORDS OF RANDOLPH.

RANDOLPH COUNTY was formed by an act of the Yir
Jnia Assembly. October, 1786. and the hoi> Benja-

min Wilson in T; g rts Valley was designated as the place
for holding the hrst court. The territory of the new county

Randolph's Firsr Court House,
i From an old photograph.)

embraced all of the present county of Tucker, half of the
present count} ur. half of I'j'-hur and a 1 art

of Webster.

We give below the pi lings of the • irt

held in Randolph County. We have endeavored to produce
the record ; und in the time worn book, u "he

original spelling and punctuation :

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 39

Be It Remembered that at the House of Benjamin Wilson
on the 28 day of May 1787, a Commission of the Peace Os:c
held a session of Oyer »S; Terminer for the said county directed
and ordered that Jacob Westfall, Salathiel Goff, Patrick Ham-
ilton, John Wilson, Cornelius Westfall. Edward Jackson,
Robert Maxwell, Peter Cassity, Cornelius Bogard, John Jack-
son, George Westfall, Henry Runyan. John Hadden & Johna-
than Parsons, Gent, was presented and read. Whereupon
the Ooath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth was administ-
ered by the said Patrick Hamilton, to the said Salathiel Goft
and also the Oath of Office as directed by law. and by the
said Salathiel < roff to Patrick Hamilton. John Wilson, Cor-
nelius Westfall, Edward Jackson, Robert Maxwell, Peter
Cassity, Cornelius Bogard, John Jackson. Geo. Westfall,
Henry Runyan. John Hadden. & Jonathan Parsons.

Jacob Westfall. Gent, produced a commission of Sheriff
from his Excellency the Governor Baring Date the 17th day
of April 1787 which was openly Read, whereupon the Said
Jacob Westfall. < ient. after entering into the bond, with
Edward Jackson &c Salathiel his Securities took the

th of Allegiance and the Oath :e as directed by law.

John Wilson was chosen Cleark of the Court of Randolph
county and after giving bond with Jacob Westfall for Secur-
ity for the due and faithful execution of his >:>fnce took the
Oath Allegiance to the Commonwealth and the Oath of Office
prescribed by law.

Upon motion William McCleary admitted to practice ls
an Attorney in Randolph County and the necessary Oaths
scribed by law & paid the Tax Directed by Law.

That Wm. Mc Leary be allowed the sum of four pounds
to be paid quarterly by the Court for one Year Should the
Court think proper to continue for that time, who is now
admitted Attorney for the Commonwealth. Edward Jack-

v\: John Haymond candidates for the Prinsible Survey-
- Office for Jackson 7 votes for Haymond 4 votes.

That Edward Jackson be recommended to the Governor
as a proper person to fill the Office of Surveyor, he being of
Probity v\ I Character.

That Salathiel i ioff and Cornelius Bogard be recom-

40 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

mended to the Governor as proper persons to rill the Office
of Coroner.

That Jacob Westfall be recommended to his Excellency,
the Governor as a proper person to fill the office of Lieut, of
this county.

Patrick Hamilton Col.

John Wilson Major.

That the Public Buildings be erected on the Lands of
James Westfall in that space of ground bounded by James
Westfall fenses on the lower end of his plantation and the
River >S: by a line, drawn from the River at Right angles
passing the old School house and Westfalls Land and by
the County Road.

If any spot within the tract of this order delineated that
Jacob Westfall and Cornelius Bogard may appoint who is
hereby appointed to view and lay oft a certain tract not ex-
ceeding One Acre, the Said James Westfall giving and Grant-
ing the said Tract of One Acre together with Public
Buildings.

That John Hadden, John Jackson & Cornelius Bogard
be appointed Commissioners of Taxable Property.

That the Court do new adjourn till tomorrow Xine
O'clock.

Salathiel Goff.

The next day May 29. 1787 the Court resumed its session.
Jacob Riffle, Michael Yokum, Joseph Cooper, Thomas Holder,
and Chas. Falanash were appointed Constables. Hezekiah
Rosencranse was appointed Surveyor of Roads from Eber-
man's Creek, (now Chenoweth's Creek) to Files Creek. The
House of James Westfall was selected as the place of hold-
ing the next Court. A wagon road was ordered opened from
Mudlick at the County Road to Cheat River at the Horse
Shoe Bottom. A bridle road was ordered to be opened from
Connelies Lick to the Top of the Alleghany. Wm. Smith was
appointed Surveyor of Roads from James Friend's to Wm.
k England's Ford. Uriah Gandy was appointed SurveyoWof
Roads from Benj. AYilson's to top of Alleghany.

The first session of Court held in what is now the town
of Beverly, convened at the house of James Westfall. May

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 41

29, 1787. This house was a log structure, and was situated
on the West side of Main Street adjoining the S. N. Bos-
worth house on the north. This house remained a landmark
of pioneer days until long after the civil war. The "worship-
ful Justices" who conducted this session of court were "Ed-
ward Jackson, Robert Maxwell, Peter Cassity, and Cornelius
Bogard, Gent."

At the June term of the court, this body entered upon
new duties and performed functions hitherto not exercised.
No controversy over property rights had so far marred the
tranquility of the pioneer period. However, at the August
term, no less than seventeen cases were on the docket. The
style of the first case demanding the attention of the court
at the June term was \Ym. Peterson, plaintiff, vs. James
Lackev, defendant. Judgment was given in favor of the
plaintiff in the sum of Si 1.65. The first order for recording a
deed for the conveyance of real estate was also passed at this
term of the court.

Ebenezer Petty conveyed by deed 200 acres to Gabriel
Friend. James AYestfall was granted permission to "lay out
lots for the purpose of a town between the fence or lower end
of his plantation, the river on the West, Benjamin Wilson's
line on the North and the county road on the east & that he
have town lots laid off & Exposed to sale the first Day of
August Court." (1787). No name had been given the em-
bryotic town at that time, but later it was called Edmonton,
and retained this appellation until three years later when by
an Act of the Virginia Assembly the town of Beverly was
created. At this term of the court the county was divided
into three assessment districts as follows :

John Hadden's District : — From Simeon Harris' and Aaron
Richardson's up Tygarts Valley, a straight line to Roaring
Creek to the head, thence up Middle Fork to the head, thence
to the Greenbrier line, "the neardest direction" and from the
said Harris' to the Rockingham line, "the neardest direction."

John Jackson's District : — From John Haddan's line on
Roaring Creek to its junction with the Valley River, thence
a straight line where the road leading to Clarksburg crosses
Laurel Run, the old pack road called "Pringle's Road," thence

42 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

with this road to the head of Clover Run, thence with the
meanders of Laurel Hill to the county line.

Cornelius Bogard's District: — All of Randolph County
not included in Hadden's and Jackson's districts.

In more than one sense the court at this session became
a trail blazer and a pathfinder. Highways were ordered to
be viewed that were destined to become roads of State and
National importance. Commissioners were appointed to re-
port to the court on the "convenience and inconvenience" that
would attend the opening of a road from John Jackson's on
Buckhannon River to the court house in Beverly. This road
was located some years later. The Staunton and Parkers-
burg pike was constructed practically on the same route, and
became part of a great thoroughfare from the east to the Ohio
river. It was also used extensively in military operations
during the civil war.

John Wilson was appointed Surveyor of Highways from
Mudlick in Tygarts Valley to foot of mountain on Northeast
side of Horseshoe Bottom.

The July term, 1787, marked the beginning of the super-
vision and control of the liquor trafic in Randolph County.
Jacob Westfall was "admitted to retail liquor till the Novem-
ber court and no longer without license."

During these years of peace Indian hostilities may have
been in abeyance, yet the records evidence the fact that the
Red Man was busy appropriating the settlers horses. The
court ordered that Charles Parsons be exempted from paying
taxes on "three horse creatures that have been taken from
him by the Indians since the 9, of March last past." A simi-
lar order was passed in regard to five horses lost by Henry
Fink and several lost by John Warwick. At this term of the
court Nathan Nelson was brought before the court on the
charge of being a vagabond and gave bond for his good be-
havior. Among the cases tried at this term of the court were
the following:

John Smith vs. Michael Isner. Judgment for 4 pounds.

Jacob Stalnaker vs. John Phillips. The case agreed.

Ralph Stewart vs. James Pringle. Continued.

John Alford vs. Joseph Parsons. In this case the plain-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 43

tiff made oath that he was afraid that the defendant would
do him a private injury. Accordingly Parsons was put under
bond to "keep the peace of the world and especially John
Alford."

At this term of the court Hugh Turner and William
Wilson were appointed to draw plans for a county jail, let
the contract for its erection to the lowest bidder and report
the same to the next August court.

At the July (1787) term provision was made for the first
election to be held in Randolph County. Overseers of the
Poor were to be elected. All other county officers except
Members of the Legislature were appointive. It seems strange
that the more important and remunerative offices of Sheriff
and Clerk of the Court would be appointed by the Justices
and the insignificant office of Overseer of the Poor be made
elective at so much trouble and expense to the people.

The county was laid off into four districts as follows:

District 1, west of Rich Mountain, down to the Valley
River, down the west side of the river to the county line. The
territory between that line and Harrison county was the dis-
trict, and John Jackson was appointed to conduct the election.

District 2, that part of the county northeast of Rich
Mountain and east of Valley River, including the Horse Shoe
setlement from AYilmoth's settlement down. Salathiel Goff
was appointed to conduct the election.

District 3. The remainder of the county was "divided by
a line due east from Rich Mountain, passing by William
Wamsley's." North of the line was the third district and
Robert Maxwell was appointed to hold the election.

District 4 consisted of the remainder of the county, and
Patrick Hamilton was appointed to hold the election. The
Sheriff was ordered to oversee the elections and make re-
turns at the September court. Returns were not made until
November, and then in only two districts. In No. 2, William
Westfall and David Minear were elected ; in No. 3, Aaron
Richardson, Thomas Philips and William Wilson.

At this court Hugh Turner was ordered to draw plans
and specifications for a jail, and the Sheriff was ordered to
advertise for bids for building the jail.

44 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

At the August court, 1787, the first grand jury was
drawn. The names were: John Hamilton, Daniel Westfall,
Valentine Stalnaker, Jacob Stalnaker, John Currence, Simeon
Harris, Joseph Crouch, Charles Nelson, Solomon Ryan,
Abraham Kittle, Thomas Phillips, William Wilson, Charles
Myers, Michael Isner, Nicholas Petro, Nicholas Wolf and
Andrew Skidmore.

At the August term (1787) Jacob Westfall made the fol-
lowing report in reference to the county jail: "Jacob West-
fall, Gent, came into court and reported that he struck off
the building of the Public Jail to a certain Edward Hart, to
be finished by the next March court." No reference was
made as to the price at which the contract was given. Joseph
Crouch was appointed Surveyor of Roads from Geo. West-
fall's Mill up to John Alexander's plantation. Alexander Ad-
dison applied for a recommendation from the court to obtain
a licence to practice law. He was given one year in which
to obtain such license. At the expiration of this time the
order of the court was to become void if he had not obtained
law license in the meantime. A similar order was made in
regard to Wm. McLeary.

At the September court (1787) John Wilson was allowed
200 pounds of tobacco "for service in regard to the tax law."
This allowance was in all probability for the collection of the
land tax, and was equivalent to $6.65.

The first reference to the insane is found in the records
of that term of the court. Philip and David Minear informed
the court that their brother John Minear "was crazy and had
eloped from their charge and strayed into Monongalia Coun-
ty." They were given authority to take charge of him and
his property.

The records of the October term (1787") reveal that John
Jackson was appointed Captain of the Buckhannon Company
and Edward Jackson Colonel of this county. Edward Jack-
son was grandfather of Thomas Jonathan (Stonewall) Jack-
son. Colonel Edward Jackson, though his military record
was humble and obscure, may have possessed, for aught we
know, the military genius of his illustrious grandson. He
may have been one of those "gems of purest ray serene the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 45

dark unfathomed caves of oceans bear" and Stonewall may
have inherited those qualities of a soldier that gave him im-
perishable renown from his paternal grandfather.

Two indictments were found at the November (1787)
term for illegally retailing liquor. These indictments, as the
record states, were found on the information of two members
of the Grand Jury. At the same term of the court we find
many orders similar to this one: Ordered that the killing of
one old wolf by John Hadden be liquidated. Evidently the
killing of wolves was an important infant industry. Meagre
and indefinite information is found in the records of the fol-
lowing: cases tried at this term of the court :

Cornelius Bogard vs..Wm. Short. Refused to be taken.

John Hamilton vs. Pat. Hamilton. Refused to be taken.

Benjamin Hornbeck vs. Joseph Summerfield. Xot found.

At the January term (1788) Benjamin Hornbeck was
"admitted to retail liquor for the term of the present day."
The reason for the brevity of the life of his license is not
clear. Perhaps he only wanted to dispense the ardent on the
first day of court. In the earlier years of the county and
even up to the second decade after the civil war the first day
of court was largely in the nature of a social gathering. An
event in which the monotony and isolation of pioneer life were
broken by an exchange of greetings and experience of people
similarly situated. Under these circumstances the wine not
infrequently flowed with a spirit of good feeling and comrad-
ship. Hence the necessity of "admitting Mr. Hornbeck to
retail liquor for the term of the present day."

At the same term of the court it was ordered that a
certificate be issued to the Governor in favor of Wm. Blair
for an increase in his pension for a wound received while
rendering military service for the commonwealth under
Colonel Charles Lewis at the battle of Point Pleasant, Octo-
ber 10, 1774.

Tavern rates were regulated at that term of the court
as follows :

46 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Maderia wine, per half pint 25 cents

Other wines, " " " 20 5-6

West India rum " " " 16 2-3

Other rums " " " 12 1-2

Peach brandy " " " 11 1-9

Good whiskey ' 11 1-9

Dinner 16 2-3

Breakfast 12 1-2

Supper 12 1-2

Lodging, in clean sheets each night 8 1-3

Corn and oats, per gallon 11 1-9

Horse at hay, every 12 hours 11 1-9

Pasture, every 24 hours „ 8 1-2

Mr. McLeary was recommended to the Judges of the
Court of Appeals as a suitable person to fill the office of
Clerk of their court in Monongalia County.

At the May term (1788) the court ordered that the
Sheriff collect S26.66 "for E. Hart to carry on the publick's
joal."

At the July term ( 1788) the following extraordinary
order was recorded : "That a writ go forth to bring Garret
Lambert before the next court to show cause why he does not
betake himself to lawful employment & demean himself as
required by the laws of the Commonwealth." The exercise
of such jurisdiction by the courts today would no doubt be
considered an unwarranted infringement of personal liberty.

On the 22nd day of September, 1788, the court took the
initial steps to build the first court house for Randolph
County. The Justices of the Peace had previously prepared
plans and specifications for the temple of justice and it was
ordered that they be given to the Sheriff, who was directed
to advertise for contracts for its construction.

At the February term (1789) the bond of Jacob YVest-
fall. Sheriff, was fixed at $53,353. At the same term of the
court Edward Hart was allowed $85 for building the jail
to be paid when completed and delivered. James Cunning-
ham was allowed $2.66 for bringing Acts of Assemblv of
Virginia from Richmond. At that term of the court it was
ordered that Hugh Turner be paid $200 for building the
Court House. Wm. McLeary, Attorney for the Common-
wealth, was allowed $40 as his salary for one year.

At the March term of the court (1789) the Sheriffs
house was "appointed a jail until the next term of the court."

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 47

At the April term (1789) Robert Maxwell served notice
that he intended petitioning the General Assembly setting
forth the utility of a ferry on Leading Creek from the lands
of Robert Maxwell to Jonas Friend's. At the same term of the
court Gabriel Dowell was ordered to appear at the next term
and give security for the maintenance of himself and wife
or be subject to the vagrant act. Dowell evidently gave no
heed to the action of the court as that body at the next term
ordered that both he and his wife be "taken by Constable
William Madden to Constable David Minear and he convey
them into Washington County, Maryland, and there leave
them.*'

At the July term of the court (1789) it was ordered that
the roads from the county seat to Roaring Creek and from
Jonas Friend's to Pringle's Ford and from Connalie's Lick
to the top of Alleghany and from Wilson's Mill to the top
of Alleghany at the Pendleton line be worked once a year
and then cleared for a good bridle path eight feet wide. This
order gives an insight into the status of the roads of that
day. The roads mentioned above were among the important
highways of the county at that time and no effort was made
to keep them in a state of repair surpassing the bridal path
standard.

The Grand Jury at the August term (1789) found only
one indictment. There was one indictment for retailing apple
brandy above the legal rate. The indictment was made on
the information of five members of the Grand Jury. The im-
portance and emoluments of the office of Commonwealth's
Attorney had been keeping pace with the growth of the
county. At this same term Win. McLeary's allowance was
raised to $33.33 per annum if there were two terms of the
court and $50.00 if there were four terms. At the same term
the Justices of the Peace took the oath of office as "required
by Congress to support the Constitution of the United
States." The constitution had been recently ratified and this
was the first record of reference to the constitution.

At the September court (1789) Moses Ware was given
a certificate for a land warrant for 400 acres of land for ser-
vices as Sergeant in Colonel Gipson's regiment. The certi-

48 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ficate explains that the warrant was taken from him when he
was "captivated by the Indians.'' It does not say when
where. The court issued the certificate to Moses Ward, but at
a subsequent term corrected its error by substituting Ware
instead of Ward. The court at that term passed an order
exempting Jacob Springstone from working the highway
until he "be in a better state of health, he now being unsane."

Peace and pleasantness evidently did not prevail among
the "worshipful" Justices at the March term i 1790 >. Edward
Jackson went before the Grand Jury and indicted his colleague.
Robert Maxwell, for being drunk, whereupon Maxwell gave
information to : and Jury that resulted in Jackson be: g

indicted for the same offense. Jackson confessed, but Max-
well stood trial and was acquitted.

At the April term i 1790) the court ordered that Hugh
rner be paid $200 to enable him to carry on the building
of the court house, and that $200 be paid him subsequently,
making the entire cost of the court house $400. At the same
term the jail was accepted from Edward Hart, the contractor.
Prisoners, who had been boarding with the Sheriff, could
henceforth be domiciled at a home especially provided
them.

The Sheriff was ordered, at the June term i 1790 1. to pay
Wm. Blair $ his pension for that year. Mr. Blair was

wounded at the battle of Point Pleasant. October 10, 1774.
while serving unc lonel Charles Lewis

The town of Edmonton was destined to have a brief
official life. Only once in the records was there any re:
ence to Edmonton. At the October term (1790i a road was
ordered opened from the town of Edmonton to Roaring
Creek. In August I the next year. Beverly made its • -rticial
bow to the public in the court records, when Edward Hart
was licensed to keep an ordinary in the town of Beverly.

At the November term 1 7 Maxwell Armstrong v -

the third attorney to be admitted to practice law in Randolph.

Thomas Wilson succeeded Wm. McClearv a- I ::.:::
weak/ - Lttorney at the March term - 1 791 • of the court.
Xo reason was given for retiring Mr. McLeary.

At the May term il791) Jacob Lewis was appointed ad-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY M

ministrator of the estate of Joseph Kinnan. Mr. Lew:- as
a brother of the widow Kinnan. whose husband was killed
the Indians May 11th of that year. : a few weeks prevk -
It will be seen by reference to another chapter that Mr. Lev -
made his escape from the Indians by way of a window in a
rear room where he v. - - eping when the Kinnan h -
attacked by the Indians. Wither- "Border Warfare is in
error as to the name and date. Withers has the name Caanan
and the date of the occurrence in the latter part of the sum-
mer of 1794.

The records of tl 5 tember term (1791 reveal :::at
Edward Hart, who built the jail was licensed to keep an
ordinarv. also conducted a cooper's shop by the spring. The
adjacent : rests with their retention of moisture made, prob-
able, the existence f springs in the town : rly.

The cooper's trade in that day was a useful and impor-
tant one. All tuh - gs, and barrels were made by
Tiand. The order referring tc these subje - and prescribing
prison b< Is reads as foil - ginning at the corner :
lid. Hart's lot on the Fro: - site 1 :he lot n
above the lot whereon the cour- - hence to
the lot Hart's cooper shop is on by the spring, thence
th the lower line of the town to the lower end t
thence up to the front - and thence to the beginn: °
Imprisonment for debt was a legal proceeding and it
probable that the boundar: es a n applied particularly
to that class oi prisoners rredit rs ere : mpelled :
the expense of imprisoned debtors.

The sympathic- th< urt : r those who were com-
pelled to travel the long and lonesome mountain -. with-
out the company anc : - lation : - methir._ and
cheer their drooping spirits, assumed a practical turn at the
June term | 1792 when that body passed the following order:
'"That Thomas Summerrield be permitted I ail liquor on
the road that leads from T g irts Valley tc the North F
without payment oi license, for the benefit of traveler-
such a long and lonesom t this same term urt
dollars and cents appeared for the first time on th
of the county. Pounds, shillings and pence were used in

50 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

transaction of the county for two or three years later, but
gradually went out of use. Tobacco was the legal currency
of Virginia until 1794. Official fees and county levies were
frequently computed in pounds of tobacco. At this same ses-
sion of the court a committe was appointed to examine the
falls of the Tygarts Valley river, in the present county of
Taylor, and report on the probable expense of putting them
in condition for fish to ascend the river. At the July term
additional action was taken and the cooperation was asked
of the Harrison County Court with the expression of the
hope that it would meet with "your worships approbation."
However, nothing has been done to this day, though there
has been perennial agitation of the project.

The first reference to a sawr mill in the records of Ran-
dolph is found in the proceedings of 1794, when Jacob West-
fall was permitted to erect a saw mill near the town of Bev-
erly. Prior to this time the slab and the puncheon and the
product of the cross-cut answered every purpose. The first
steam saw mill is said to have been brought into this county
from Virginia in 1878.

It is surprising that in so short a time, the most of our
timber, our greatest natural wealth, the result of the provi-
dent process of the ages, should be without thought or con-
sideration for the future, used, wasted and destroyed.

Indictments in most cases in the years of 1795-96 were
for assault and battery. Although presentments for Sab-
bath breaking, "profane swearing" selling liquor "by the
small," and against overseers of the highway for neglect of
duty were by no means infrequent. In that day the indi-
vidual's ability to take care of himself in conflict with savages
and wild animals was considered a very desirable character-
istic and the man who exceeded his fellows in strength and
agility was looked upon as a hero in his community. An
influence and environment of this sort necessarily resulted
in personal encounters which terminated in the courts.

Randolph was still without a court house in 1795, though
its construction had been undertaken seven years previous.
At the August term (1795) the court ordered suit to be in-
stituted against Edward Hart for failure to complete it.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 51

The court at the September term (1795) gives us an
index to the rate of daily wages in that day, when it allowed
50 cents a day to guards for prisoners at the jail for their
services.

The records of the December term (1795) indicate that
there was an Indian scare in the valley in that year. At that
term of the court an allowance for patrolling Leading Creek
was made to Thomas Phillips, Jacob Kittle, Samuel Ball,
John Phillips and Closes Shuter. Although the Indians had
not visited the valley since May, 1791, the settlers evidently
believed that a raid was iminent.

There was a smallpox scare in Randolph in May, 1798.
The court met in special session but did nothing except sum-
mon all the Justices in the county to attend the next session
and to take action to prevent the spread of the disease. The
records of the court are silent as to any further efforts to
stop the contagion.

The limited income of the pioneer, together with the
necessities of incessant toil, incident to the conversion of
the wilderness into cleared and cultivated fields, with the
distance and inconvenience of travel to good schools made
anything but a rudimentary education for their children be-
yond their hope or ambition. The will of Raphael Warthen
when admitted to record in 1798, is interesting for the reason
that it showrs the extent of the average and expected educa-
tion of the youth of that period. . One provision of his will
provided that "as much of my estate as will be sufficient to
educate my children to read properly, to write plainly and to
have a knowledge of arithmetic as far as the rule commonly
called the simple rule of three."

From the fact that the sickle was the tool commonly used
in cutting- grain and the flail and the winnowing sheet the
usual method of threshing grain, made anything except limit-
ed crops in the early period of the settlement of this county,
impossible. The inventory of the estate of Nicholas Wolfe
gives information of the kind and quantity of the crops raised
by the farmers in 1800, the year the appraisement of his estate
was admitted to record. It was as follows: 5 acres of rye,

52 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

3 acres of wheat, 8 acres of corn, 5 acres of meadow, and 4
acres of oats.

Neither dude nor dullard ever became a pioneer. Dis-
content presupposes intelligence and contemplation. The
first settlers of Randolph evidently were dissatisfied with
conditions in their native land. They left home and friends
to seek free homes in a free country for themselves and their
children. It required hope, courage, decision and determina-
tion to undergo the isolation, hardships, and the inconven-
iences incident to the life of the pioneer. They may, or may
not have had the advantages of a liberal education, yet they
possessed excellent judgment and good common sense. It
would be interesting to know the books they read and the
nature and extent of their libraries. In the records of the
county there are only vague hints on this subject. In the
list of articles of the estate of Nicholas Wolf, sold at vendue
in 1800, we find that three "Dutch books and one English
Almanac" brought 50 cents. In the inventory of the estate
of Jacob Westfall, there is listed the following books ; 6
volumes Doddridge on the New Testament, 4 volumes Gold-
smith, 2 volumes Pope's Homer, 2 volumes Flower's History,
2 Spectator, 2 Parcels old books, 2 volumes Blair's Lectures,
1 Book Washington's Reports, 1 Clark's Magazine.

From the report of the Commissioners appointed to pass
upon disputed land entries, their report as recorded in this
county, shows that Peter PofTenberger and John Bush settled
on Radcliff's Run, on the Buckhannon River in 1774, and
that John Fink settled on Fink's Run in the same year.

In the appraisement of the estate of Nicholas Wolf
(1803) poplar boards were rated at $10 per thousand feet.
Among the items of the expenses attending the sale of his
personal estate we find this one : "one other gallon of liquor,
75 cents." In the sale of the personal effects of St. Leger
Stout about the same time, some of the articles commanded
the following prices: One pair dog irons $2.00: two pot tram-
bles and fire shovel, $4.00: fifteen pewter spoons, $5.85. Dog
irons and trambles, once articles of universal use, are prac-
tically unknown and discarded today. Dog irons or fire
dogs were used to support the fore stick in an open fireplace.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 53

Trammels were pendent hooks for suspending pots, kettles,
etc., over an open fireplace. Chimneys were not in use prior
to the early part of the 14th century and cooking and heat-
ing- stoves are comparatively modern innovations. In 1741
Benjamin Franklin invented what he called a Pennsylvania
fireplace, which consisted of several plates of cast iron with
a shutter to regulate the draught and a register to distribute
the heat. From this rude construction the modern stove has
evolved. Previous to 1825 the use of stoves, generally of the
box pattern, and of very rude pattern, was confined to stores,
halls, hotels, barroms, school houses, and churches, in the
cities and larger towns. Not until the building of the B. &
O. railroad, making possible the transportation of heavy
goods, did the use of stoves come into general use in this
county.

In the records of the court for the year 1803 we find the
following item, in the report of an Administrator: "burial ex-
penses, coffin, shirt and liquor and accommodations at the
sale, $24.00."

In will book No. 1, page 23, there is recorded a list of the
personal property of Joseph Kinnan, sold at vendue by Edward
Hart, Administrator, and admitted to record, June 26, 1793.
Mr. Hart( in his final settlement a few years later, among the
necessary expenses incurred) mentions five gallons of whiskey-
It was the custom in the pioneer period to treat or give free
drinks to those in attendance upon a public auction. Perhaps
the object was to promote a liberal attendance, as well as a
condition of mental opulence among the prospective purchas-
ers. The list is interesting from the fact that it gives an
insight into the possessions of the average pioneer as well as
the prices these articles commanded in that day. Mr. Kinnan,
it will be remembered, was killed by the Indians, at his home
near the mouth of Elkwater. The list is as follows:

Two pair shears $ .50

One pot tramble 3.33

One keg 40

One keg 35

Two rockers 90

Pewter 80

One mattock 1.15

One cleavis 35

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Shoes and brush 2.00

Plow and irons 2.00

One kettle 1.85

One scythe 1.70

One ax ; 1.60

One horse 21.60

One ox 4.00

One heifer 7.50

Two yearling steers 11.00

Two yearling calves 12.00

One scythe 1.00

One jug 18

One bucket 35

One frying pan 70

One musket 90

One cow and calf 17.25

One cow 11.25

One horse 7.25

One mare 12.50

One mare and bell. 15.50

Hogs 40.00

Three sheep 6.50

Grain, upper place 6.65

Two stacks of hay 1.65

Flax, growing 50

Corn on Sylvester Ward's loft 10.65

One brown horse 55.95

One bay colt 18.95

Wills Recorded in Randolph County.

A list of wills recorded in Randolph County prior to 1836
is given below, with the name of the testator and the date
of record :

Andrew McMullen 1788

George Ward 1791

David Haddan 1791

Jacob Stalnaker 1791

John Miller 1794

Jeremiah Channell 1797

Raphael Warthen 1798

Catherine Carlick 1801

Thomas White 1802

Josiah Westfall 1802

John Haddan 1803

Vincent Marsh 1804

St.Leger Stout 1806

Thomas Phillips 1806

Henry Mace 1807

Mary Ann Marteny 1809

Thomas Holder 1810

Edward Hart 1811

Charles Myers 1812

Abraham Kittle 1813

Adam Stalnaker 1814

Jacob Helmick 1815

John Phillips 1815

Isaac Kittle 181

Ebenezer Kelley 1816

Isaac Bond 1816

Hezekiah Rosencrantz 1819

Martin C. Poling 1819

Martin Poling 1820

James McLean 1820

George Mitchell 1822

Robert Phares 1823

Elias Alexander 1825

Boston Stalnaker 1826

Jacob Weese 1826

Samuel Bonnifield 1826

Benjamin Hornbeck 1827

Joseph Summerfield 1828

Frederick Troutwine 1829

William Parsons 1829

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 55

Joseph Pennell 1831 James McClung 1833

John Rush 1831 Valentine Stalnaker 1833

Rinehart Dumire 1831 Henry Petro 1834

Richard Kittle 1831 John Light 1834

John Chenoweth 1832 Richard Ware 1834

Joseph Pitman 1832 Isaac Poling 1834

Sarah Bond 1832 Gilbert Boyle 1835

Jacob Weese 1832 Solomon Collett 1836

Jacob Stagle 1832 Mathew Whitman 1836

First Will Recorded in Randolph.

Below is given a copy of the first will recorded in Ran-
dolph County. It is evident fro mits freedom from legal
phraseology that it was a product of his own mind. The
document is characterized by simplicity and attention to de-
tails and left no room for doubts or different construction
of meaning. It is as follows :

"In the name of God, Amen, I, Andrew McMullen, of
the County of Harrison and State of Virginia, being weak of
body but of perfect mind and memory, do make this my last
will and testament in manner and form following: That is to
say that it is my desire, after my decease, that I be decently
buried agreeable to my circumstances, out of what little I
have behind ; and as my affairs are in a very scattered condi-
tion at present, owing to my past troubles, I therefore nomi-
nate and appoint Robert Maxwell as my executor to see into
and examine what trifles are mine, and goods likewise. When
I was at Uriah Gandy's I lent him two pounds, five shillings
cash, and gave him an order for a great coat of mine at
Thomas Goff's a tailor, and a dollar to pay for the making of
it: and I gave him my note, as I got his gun by way of loan.
But at the time I was at his house I was not in my head as I
ought to have been, and I know not what way the note or
anything was; but I hope I will do justice as a Christian.
And his gun he can have again; and what service he did for
me, I hope he will be paid out of what he owes me. And for
what orders I gave or sent Mr. James Cunningham, about
getting my traps and other things, I hope they give them up
to Robert Maxwell as I have appointed him to settle my

56 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

affairs. And do acknowledge this and no other to be my
last will and testament ; as witness my hand and seal this
21, day of June, 1786.

ANDREW McMULLEN.
■"Witness; James Taffee and Joseph Friend."

The first deed admitted to record in Randolph is given
below :

At a Court held for the County of Randolph the 25th day
of June, 1787, the following Deed of Bargain & Sale of 200
Acres of Land from Ebenezer Petty & Elizabeth, his wife to
Gabriel Friend was acknowledged and ordered to be Recorded.

This Indenture Executed this Twenty-fifth day of June,
in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and
Eighty-seven, between Ebenezer Petty and Elizabeth his
wife, of Randolph County, and Commonwealth of Virginia,
of the one part, and Gabriel Friend, of the County of Wash-
ington and State of Maryland, of the other part. Witnesseth,
That they the said Ebenezer Petty & Elizabeth his wife, their
heirs and assigns for in and consideration of One Hundred
and Twenty-five pounds, to them in hand paid, the receipt of
which the}- hereby acknowledge, and themselves fully satisfye.
Have bargained and sold and transferred unto the said Gab-
riel Friend a certain Tract of land lying and being in the said
County of Randolph, on the west side of Tigers Yallev River,
adjoining the lands of John Harness and John Crouch, junior,
and boundede as followeth, towit : Beginning at a Maple
thence south Ten Degrees East Ninety-six Poles to a Beach,
South Twelve degrees west Sixty-eight Poles to two Syca-
more, South Eighteen degrees West Thirty-two Poles to a
Sycamore & Elm, South nine degrees East Thirty Poles to
a Sycamore and Walnut, North Eighty-six degrees, East
Thirty poles to two walnuts, South Seventy degrees, East
fifty-two poles to an Elm and Walnut, North forty-two
Degrees East Seventy-four Poles to two White oaks. East
fifty-eight poles to a Svcamore, North Seventy-one degrees
East thirty-three poles to two Cherries John Harnesses Cor-
ner North thirty-eight degrees west one hundred & forty
poles to a Spanish Oak near two Pines his Corner North

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 57

thirty-three degrees West Eighty poles to a white oak, his
Corner South Eighty-seven degrees west. Ninety-six poles
to the Beginning. Containing two hundred acres and ap-
purtenances to have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of
Land with its appurtenances to the said Gabriel Friend his
Heirs and assigns forever.

In witness of the presents we have hereunto set our
hands and affixed our Seals this Day and Date above written.

EBENEZER PETTY [Seal]

her
ELIZABETH C. (X) PETTY, [Seal]

mark
Recorded and Examined

Teste: JOHN WILSON, C R C

The Price of a Slave.

In deed book No. 10, page 378 of the county of Randolph,
can be found a document, bearing date of October 30, 1830,
recording the sale of a slave, I Fenrietta Crown, to Geo. Buckey
of Beverly. Henrietta gained the favor of her master and
his family and remained with them to the time of her death,
some thirty years subsequent to the time of obtaining her
freedom. Mr. Buckey was opposed to the institution of
slavery, though it meant to him financial loss and was a Union
sympathizer in the war between the states. Below is a copy
of the instrument of writing in that transaction:

Know all men by these presents, that I, George Wash-
ington Hilleary, of Prince George County, State of Mary-
land, for and in consideration of the sum of Two Hundred
and Forty Dollars, to me in hand paid by George Buckey,
of the town of Beverly, county of Randolph, and state of
Virginia, to and before the sealing and delivery of these pre-
sents, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have
bargained, sold, granted and confirmed, and by these pre-
sents do bargain, sell, grant and confirm to the said George
Buckey a certain female slave named Henny, to have and
to hold said female negro slave and her future increase to the

58 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

only proper use and behalf of the said George Buckey, his
executors, administrators, and assigns forever, and I, the
said George Washington Hilleary for myself, my executor
and administrators, the said female negro slave with her fu-
ture increase to the said George Buckey, his executors, ad-
ministrators and assigns, and against all and every other
person or persons whatsoever shall warrant and forever de-
fend by these presents.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my hand and seal this 27th day of October in the
year 1830.

GEORGE WASHINGTON HILLEARY,
(Seal)

Teste : Squire Bosworth,
Randolph County Court,

February Term A. D. 1831.

This bill of sale from Geo. W. Buckey appeared to have
been acknowledged before the Deputy Clerk of the Court
is ordered to be recorded.

Teste: A. EARLE, C. R. C.

The following names appear in the records of Randolph
County prior to the year 1800:

Arnold, Alexander, Armstrong, Allison.

Bogard, Blair, Bodkins, Buffington, Barker, Breeding, Bell,
Brigs, Badgely, Beard, Booth, Brown, Ball, Bird, Bishop,
Beebe, Bond, Booth, Buckey, Boyles, Berry, Blue, Beaty.

Currence, Crouch, Cassity, Crow, Cooper, Conley, Christy,
Clark, Chenoweth, Cook, Claypoole, Carper, Channel!,
Canfield, Cutright.

Davisson, Donohoe, Deener, Dent, Dawson, Dougherty,
Daniels.

Elliott, Eberman, England.

Fink, Fisher, Friend, Ford, Ferguson.

Goff, Good, Gibson, Gandy, Green, Gallatin.

Hamilton, Haddan, Holder, Harness, Haddix, Hough, Hunt,

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 59

Hart, Heath, Harris, Howell, Hanna, Henderson, Hick-
man, Harper, Hacker.

Isner.

Jackson, Jones, Joseph, Jenkins, Jack.

Kittle, Kinnan, Kizer, Kuhn, Kykendale, Kerper.

Lin, Lackey, Lambert, Lowny, Long, Lamberton, Light.

McLeary, McMullen, McClung, Minear, McLean, Mitchell,
Maxwell, Marteny, Mace, Myers, Middlebrook, Marstil-
ler, McVicker, Moore, Morris, Miller, Mason.

Nelson, Neale, Neston.

Osburn.

Peterson, Parsons, Post, Petty, Peatro, Pendell, Phillips,
Pamcake, Pryor, Patterson, Peter, Price, Patten, Pringle,
Pleasants.

Reed, Rose, Rennix, Reeder, Rooney, Ryan, Robert, Riffle,
Rosencranse, Rankins, Robinson, Riddle.

Scott, Smith, Stalnaker, Stewart, Snmmerfield, See, St. Clair,

Stout, Steel, Strawder, Seymour, Seitz.

Taffee, Taft, Tolly, Truby, Thompson, Teter, Talbott, Thomas.

Vanscoy, Vandevander.

Westfall, Wilson, Whitman, Warwick, Ward, Wilmoth,
Wiseman, Wreese, Warthen, W'amsley, Wolfe, White.

Yokum, Yeager, Yenner.

Marriage Licenses.

Below will be found a list of Marriage Licenses issued
from 1784 to 1817. Licenses issued prior to 1787 were issued
by Harrison County, but the contracting parties lived in

what ic nnw T? QnrlnlnVi

what is now Randolph.

1784

Man's Name Woman's Name Daughter of By Whom Married

John Wamsley Mary Robinson

Henry Runyann Mary Hagel

Simon Harris Christian Westfall

James Bodkin Mary Westfall

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY

1785

Man's Name
William Briggs
John Kittle
John Haddan
Alexander Blair
Isaac McHenry
Richard Kittle
David Crouch
John Phillips

David Henderson
John Jackson, Jr.
Thomas Isner

William Low
David Thomas

.John Outright
Zachariah Westfall
Henry Mace
James Holder
William Gibson
Samuel Stalnaker
George Harper
Solomon Ware
Cottrill Tolbert
Philip Reger
Moses Kade

Woman's Name

Sarah Westfall
Elizabeth Wells
Isabell Elliott
Elizabeth Breeding
Margaret Blair
Margaret Stalnaker
Elizabeth Cassety
Catherine Isner

Daughter of

By Whom Married

Ingra Kittle
Rebecca Haddon
Magelene Miller

Eliza Westfall
Rnchael Brooks

1786

1787

1788

Rebecca Truby
Hannah Wolf
Ann Currence
Diana Westfall
Mary W. Henry
Susannah Batchiff
Mary Baxter
Sarah Day
Elizabeth Reger
Sarah Jackson
Elizabeth Anglin

Leonard Day
Jacob Reger
John Jackson
William Anglin

1789

Nicholas Wilmoth Susney Currence

1790

George Rennix Judith Westfall William Westfall

William Crow
Isaac Newell

Samuel Ball

Isaac Phillip
John Phillips

Robert Clark
Andrew Friend
John Donoho
Benjamin Baggley
Thomas Shaw
William Currence
Samuel Bringham

1791

Elizabeth Herrin

Abagail Vanscoy Aaron Vanscoy

1792

Elizabeth Maxwell Robert Maxwell

Elizabeth Kittle
Batnia Wells

Mary Friend
Elenor McCall
Mary Wilmoth
Sarah Westfall
.Margaret McCall
Mary Ward
Sarah Neilson

1793

Jacob Kittle
Phineas Wells

1794

Jonas Friend
Peter McCall
Thomas Wilmoth
George Westfall

Sylvester Ward
John Neilson

J. W. Loofborough
Isaac Edwards
Isaac Edwards
Isaac Edwards

J. W. Loofborough

Isaac Edwards

A. G. Thompson
J. W. Loofborough

J. W. Loofborough

J. W. Loofborough
.1. W. Loofborough

Valentine Power
J. W. Loofborough
J. W. Loofborough
Valentine Power
J. \Y. Loofborough
J. W. Loofborough
Valentine Power

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY

1795

Man's Name

Aaron Richardson
Samuel Currence
Hez. Rosekrans
George Baker
Jacob Riffle
Aaron McHenry
Philip Kunce
William Daniels
John Sayler

Cornelius West foil
John Hacker
Robert Clark
Jacob Shaver
John Wilson
Jacob White
Moses Slutter
George Stalnaker

James Booth
Martin Miller
Abraham Springston
Francis Riffle
Joseph Donoho
Thomas Gough
Thos. Summerfield
Samuel Keller
William Wright
Garrett Johnson
Henry Paine

Joel Westfall
Isaac White
John M. Nail
Chris. Burgess
Thomas Wilmoth
William Kelly
William Clark
James Riddle
John Clark
James C. Goff

Wm. McCorkle
Benjamin Marsh
Alexander Goff
John Cutright
David Whitman
Barney McCall
James Ferguson
Jacob Wees
John Wilmoth
Joseph Lyons

Woman's Name

Jenney Bringham
Elizabeth Bogard
Nancy Simpson
Susannah Cutright
Elizabeth Boarer
Ann Gibson
Barbara Barnhouse
Catharine Stalnaker
Mary Ann Minear

Daughter of
Widow Bringham
Cornelius Bogard
John Simpson
Benjamin Cutright
Jacob Boarer
William Gibson
John Barnhouse
Jacob Stalnaker

By Whom Married
Valentine Power
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell

1796

Elizabeth Helmick Jacob Helmick
Susannah Smith

Gean Hudkins
Rachel Davis
Mary Warthen
Elizabeth Pickett
Nancy Parsons
Susannah Hart

Phoebe Osborn
Margaret Lochrea
Mary Innis
Eva Mace
Elizabeth Wilmoth
Rachel Burns
Elizabeth Roy
Anna Springston
Anna Marsh
Mary England
Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth White
Margaret Haddan
Christian Riffle
Elizabeth Shaw
Amy Schoonover
Gean Kittle
Barbara Helmick
Anna Grayson
Mary Ryan
Elizabeth Howell

David Smith
Bennett Hudkins

John Warthen
Heehcoat Pickett
Joseph Parsons
Edward Hart

1797

Terah Osborn
John Lochrea
William Innis
John Mace
Thomas Wilmoth
Patrick Burns
Joseph Roy
Elizabeth Springston

James England
William Smith

1798

William White
David Haddan
Jacob Riffle
William Shaw
Benj. Schoonover
Jacob Kittle
Jacob Helmick

Solomon Ryan
William Howell

Phineas Wells
Joseph Cheaverout
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Matthew Ryan
Robert Maxwell
Phineas Wells
Robert Maxwell

Juda McHenry
Sarah Minear
Elizabeth Riddle
Deborah Osborn
Nancy Daniels
Ann Buck
Elizabeth Donoho
Sarah Isner
Mary Cunningham
Elizabeth Mace

1799

Samuel McHenry

John Minear
James Riddle
George Osborn

Tabitha Buck

Catharine Philips
James Cunningham
John Mace

Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Phineahas Wells
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Phineahas Wells
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell

Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Phineahas Wells
Robert Maxwell
Phineahas Wells
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell

Pliinahas Wells
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

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Joseph Roy

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1801

7 amp field

Br Whom Married

Robert Maxwell
Robe— Maxwell

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Robe— Max-
Robert Maxwell

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A HIST' . . DOLPH COUNTY

■ • ;.

• .-.-.-.-%
Helmick
Jacob W.
John Spillman
I ■ -i.ha.rn K.v. ^

I
Joh

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William Hofl
Bot

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•Joseph
Jo:, -on

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John Forrest
George BieS

William Lynch
Jeremfali

John McLaughlin
Robert P

John Gi'r.
John Conrad
Thomas Butcher
Andrew Skidmore
Jacob Westfall
Abner McClain
John Wilson
Wm. Stalnaker

Basil Hudkins
James To i
Isaac Newell
John Brady
Henry Hardman
John Myers
John Holder
George Harnick
Thomas Holder
Abraham K

Ulery Conrad
John R. Beall
John Wees
George Helmick
William Burns
Wm. Louchary
John Hardwick

Wc '.ica

Parsons
B

-. Ryan
Mary Helm.
Eliz.i
Mar |

Mary Da^na
taeea Ca •

ael
Elizabeth Wash

Daushtss ot

am Pa:
Jacot -

1 mon Ryan
Jacob Helm. •

Joseph Cha:.
John Wi

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Eliza -

Mary Marsr.iller

Catharine Shreery
Mary Skidm

Robert Johr.

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Nicholas Marstiller

■ Poland

oh Shre-
■ : Carper.- i
John Skidm . i

-;-.-

Xancy Hill

Rhoda Williams

Bar-
ran Wilmoth
- Harris

-una Petro
Margaret Hoskins
Dolly Wilson
Phoeba Dan:
Betsey Vanscoy
Elizabeth Goff

Sarah Williams
Jacob B:
Thomas Wilmoth

John Currence
Henry Petro
Bennett Hoskins

Xancy Skidmore
Mary Corrick
Luciana Wilson

a nna Ware
Prudence See - -
Mary Stalnaker
Mary Lewis

ta Royce
Margaret Gandy
Elizabeth Esters

Sarah Currence
Patty Holbert
Mary Phillips
• Elizabeth Isner

Aaron Vanscoy

1808

Andrew Skidmore
John Corrick
Thomas Wilson

Jacob Stalnaker
John Lewis
Joseph Royce
widow Jno. Gandy

Bl '•■":. -:ed

Robert Mi.iwell
Rot- '

Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Max-* -
Robert Man
Rober- Mi.Twell
Robert M
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell

Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert. Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Max-
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
John Skidm
John Skidmore

John Skidmore
John Skidmore
John Skidmore
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell

■:Zi

John Currence
Aaron Holbert

Henry Isner

Susanna Chilcott Robinson L. Chilcott
Margaret Johnson Edward Johnson
Elizabeth Channel

Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert

Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert
Robert

Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell

Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell
Maxwell

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Max's Name
S. Cunningham
Jacob Borer
Jacob Wilson
Jonathan Vauscoy
Adam Chiner
Wm. F. Wilson
George Keener
Henry Wilfong
Sol. Carpenter
Isaac Hedley
William Yeager
George Xestor
Robt. W. Collins
Uriah Ingrim
Daniel Decker
Jacob Stanley
Abel Kelley
Jacob Teter
Joshua Morgan

Woman's NAME

Mary Shagel
Sarah Helmick
Mary Donoho
Sarah Lochary
Elizabeth Fields
Jane Booth
Peggy Miller
Christiana Wees
Catharine Hill
Elizabeth Wilson
Elizabeth Thorn
Millie Poland
Man,' Gibson
Hannah Holder
Mary A. Yokum
Nancy Chapman
Jemima Kittle
Nancy Cade
Hannah Gould

Daughter of
Jacob Shagle
Jacob Helmick
William Donoho
John Lochary
John Fields
Daniel Booth
John Miller
Jacob Wees
John Hill
William Wilson
Frederick Thorn
Martin Poland
Nicholas Gibson
James Holder
Michael Yokum
Val. Chapman
Jacob Kittle
Moses Cade
Aaron Gould

By Whom Married

Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
John Skidmore
John Carney
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
Phineahas Wells
Phineahas Wells
Phineahas Wells
Henry Camdem

Martin Poland
James Carr
George Corrick
Eben Schoonover
Simon Maloney
Benj. Phillips
John Wilmoth
Geo. Barnhose
Hezekiah Bussey
James Ryan
John Black
Henry Hudkins
Andrew Crouch
Thomas Scott
John Chenoweth
Solomon Parsons
Martin Miller
Peyton Butcher

William Moore
John Bussey
Samuel Morrow
Joseph Royce
Jacob Yokum
Jeremiah Reddle
Thomas Wamsley
Ruben Holbert
John Hill
Jonathan Yeager
Rod. Bonnifield
Benjamin Helms
Solomon Yeager

Dan Howdershell

Mary Wilson
Ann Hornbeck
Jemima Chilcott
Sarah Reck
Sarah Hornick
Phoebe Walker
Ann Kittle
•Susanna Pitman
Fannie Knotts
Eizabeth Bennett
Mary Ru
Mary Isner
Elizabeth Hutton
Nancy Skidmore
Mary Skidmore
Hannah Parsons
Nancy Day
Elizabeth Renix

Rachel Phillips
Susanna Warthen
Isabella Barr

1810

William Wilson
Benj. Hornbeck
R. L. Chilcott
George Reck
Aug. Hornbeck

Richard Kittle

Sarah Bennett
John Bussey
1 Thomas Isner
Jonathan Hutton
And. Skidmore
And. Skidmore
William Parsons

George Renix

1811

Henry Phillips
John Warthen
John Barr

Sarah Summerfield Jos. Summerfield

Jane Wamsley
Margaret Hardman
Jemima Channel
Betty Braunon
Nancy Warthen
Elizabeth Miller
Nancy Minear
Rachel Moore
Mary Teeter

Mathew Wamsley
Elizabeth Hardman
Jeremiah Channel
John Brannon
John Warthen
Andrew Miller
David Minear
David Moore
b Teeter

1812

Catherin Foreman Jacob Foreman

Simeon Harris
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell

Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harr: -
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris

Simeon Harris

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Man's Name
Joseph Bennett
George Hill
Nicholas Mace
Thomas Parsons
James Warner
Levi Ward
Edmond Jones
Archibald Earle
Ezekiel Paxton
.Jacob Isner
And. Stalnaker
Ezekiel Hart
David Nutter
Samuel Skidmore
George Beall

Benjamin Johnston
* Henry England
John Gainer
John Shaver
Jesse Hall
Samuel Love
Charles Scott
Benjamin Scott
William Smith
Frederick Corrick
Jonathan Hornbeck
Jacob Westfall
Edwin S. Duncan
Chas. Marstiller
Jehu Chenoweth
Willis Taylor
John Petro

Nathan Mi near
Amos Canfleld
Abraham Wolf
Elijah Skidmore
Andrew Crouch
Joseph Bennett
Richard Moore
Francis Vansy
Henry Smith

Isaac Wamsley
William J. Davis
Thomas Goff
Solomon Westfall
Henry Sturm
Jonas Poling
John Phillips
Solomon Collett
Thomas Phillips
John Flanagan

Woman's Name
Mary Phillips
Rebecca Scott
Elizabeth Riffle
Elizabeth Brannon
Barbara Robbinet
Cathe'e Whitman
Melinda Cart-
Mary Buckey
C. Coykendall
Peggy Schoonover
Clarissa Danbury
Peggy Hart
Elizabeth Cox
Elizabeth Pitman
Mary Parsons

Daughter of

Henry Phillips
Henry Scott
Jacob Riffle

Mat. Whitman

Peter Buckey
J. Coykendall
Benj. Schoonover

Daniel Hart
Henry Cox
Joseph Pitman
Isaac Parsons

1813

Catherine Hall
Mary Alexander
Susanna Easter
Polly N ester
Sally Braidut
Sarah Newall
Agnes Kittle
Jane Currence
Easter Pitman
Parmel' Cnecvate
Kitty Wilt
Sarah Hinckle
Prudence Wilson
Peggy McLa'in
Elender Skidmore
Sarah Clark
Tasa Butcher

Elias Alexander
Jacob Easter
Jacob Xester
Luke Braidut
Isaac Newall
Richard Kittle
William Currence
Joseph Pitman
Rb. L. Checvate

Justice Hinckle
Wm. B. Wilson
.Tames McLain
Andrew Skidmore

Samuel Butcher

1814

Elizabeth Bonnifleld
N. Schoonover
R. McLaughlin
M. Cunningham
Eliz. Stalnaker
Catherine Paine
Mary A. Phillips
Mary Gainer
Catherine Lesher

Benj. Schoonover

John Cunningham
Bostain Stalnaker
Henry Paine
Joseph Phillips
George Gainer
Jacob Lesher

Susanna Yeager
Lydia Gould
Sarah Robison
Mary Moore
Eliz. Stalnaker
Phoebe Headley
Rachel Phillips
Sarah Petro
Peggy Westfall
Susan Donoho

1815

George Yeager
Aaron Gould
John Robison
Daniel Moore
Wm. Stalnaker
Cary Headley
John Phillips
Henry Petro
Jacob Westfall
William Donoho

By Whom Married

Simeon Harris
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris

Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
John Gill Watts
William Munrow
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan

John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris

Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Man's Name

Alex. McQuain
Aseal Isnear
Job Parsons
Wm. Schoonover
James Shreeve
John Ryan
John S. Hart
John McLain
Henry Walter
Gabriel Chenoweth
Edward Hart
John Shreeve

Joseph Phillips
Squire Bosworth
Joseph Cross
John Skidmore
Joseph Moore
John Fling
John Stout
Daniel Boyle
Andrew Foreman
Samuel Poling
William Ryan
George Goff
Benjamin Arnold
John Norman
Martin Poling
Moses Kittle
James Skidmore
David Holder
Daniel Hardway
Thomas Skidmore
J. Cunningham
Maxwell Renix
Andrew Snider

Woman's Name
Elizabeth Scott
Sarah Canfleld
Jemima Ward
Char'e Marstiller
Lydia Smith
Susanna Briggs
Jemima Stagle
Delilah Currence
Phoebe Wood
Eliz. Currence
Catherine Phillips
Susanna Wamsley

Daughter of

Margaret Kittle
Hannah Buckey
Mary Westfall
Juda Pitman
Mary Cross
Elizabeth Gainer
Barbara Cosner
Catherine Wilson
Rachel Poland
Elizabeth Marks
Rebecca Bennett
Nancy Robinson
S. W. Wamsley
N. Montgomery
Anna Right
Nancy Bennett
Elizabeth Monday
Ellender Kittle
Hannah Helmick
Mary Kittle
Mary Jordan
Sarah Wilmoth
M. Summerfleld

Daniel Canfleld
Jacob Ward
Nich. Marstiller
Jonathan Smith
William Briggs
Jacob Stagle
John Currence
John Wood
Wm. Currence
John Phillips
James Wamsley

1816

Jacob Kittle
Peter Buckey

Joseph Pitman
Barbara Cross

Vandal Cosner
William Wilson

Wm. Wamsley

William Right.
Jacob Bennett

Abraham Kittle

Abraham Kittle
John Jordan
Nicholas Wilmoth

By Whom Marriei>
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
Asbery Pool
Asbery Pool

John J. Waldo
William Monroe
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
Simeon Harris
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan
John Rowan

The following table shows the number of claims allowed
for wolf scalps from 1787 to 1897. The high water mark was
reached in 1822 when 56 claims were presented :

1787 — 2

1798—15

1809 — 43

1820 — 32

1831 — 21

1842 — 8

1853 — 3

1788 — 13

1799 — 17

] 810 — 44

1821 — 32

1832 — 27

1843 — 15

1854—3

1789 — 8

1800 — 13

1811 — 38

1822 — 56

1833 — 14

1844 — 7

1855 — 8

1790 — 15

1801 — 3

1812 — 25

1823 — 42

1834 — 28

1845 — 3

1856—1

1791 — 30

1802 — 22

1813—30

1824 — 51

1835 — 24

1846 — 16

1860 — 3

1792 — 18

1803 — 23

1814 — 23

1825 — 23

1836 — 21

1847 — 5

1861 — 2

1793 — 20

1804 — 21

1815 — 47

1826 — 27

1837 — 18

1848 — 24

1897 — 1

1794 — 22

1805 — 30

1816 — 51

1827 — 33

1838 — 22

1849 — 7

1795 — 12

1806 — 24

1817 — 47

1828 — 40

1839 — 17

1850 — 1

1796 — 16

1807 — 29

1818 — 10

1829 — 43

1840 — 11

1851 — 2

1797 — 20

1808 — 11

1819—36

1830 — 37

1841 — 15

1852 — 3

The following table shows the record of panthers and
wild cats killed in Randolph so far as preserved :

1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 186L

Panthers 5 11 5 10 14 11 11 6 0 0

Wild cats 0 0 55 66 49 106 58 80 3 12

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Sheriffs of Randolph.
[The year given is the date of assuming office.]

Jacob Westfall 1787

Cornelius Westfall 1789

Edward Jackson 1792

Uriah Gandy 1793

Cornelius Bogard 1796

John Wilson 1798

Matthew Whitman 1800

Asahel Heath 1803

John Currence 1806

Samuel Bonnifield 1806

George Rennix 1808

John Chenoweth 1810

Isaac Booth 1813

John Crouch 1815

Benjamin Hornbeck 1815

William Daniels 1818

Andrew Crawford 1820

Ely Butcher 1822

Robert Chenoweth 1827

John M. Hart 1829

William Marteney 1830

George Stalnaker 1833

David Holder 1829

Levi Ward 1841

Peter Conrad 1847

Jacob W. See 1848

George McLean 1850

W. C. Chenoweth 1856

Solomon C. Caplinger 1857

Hoy McLean 1858

Jacob Phares 1860

Jesse F. Phares 1862

John M. Phares 1864

Archibald Harper 1864

F. M. White 1870

L. D. White 1872

J. F. Harding 1876

Jacob G. Ward 1880

Z. T. Chenoweth 1884

Warwick Hutton 1888

A. J. Long 1892

A. W. Hart 1896

P. W. Marshall 1901

Floyd McDonald 1905

Thadeus Pritt 1910

A. J. Crickard 1915

County Clerks of Randolph.

County Clerks were appointed by the County Court until
the adoption of the constitution of 1852.

John Wilson 1787

Jacob Westfall 1793

Archibald Earle 1810

D. W. Shurtliff 1838

John W. Crawford 1845

Squire Bosworth 1858

William Bennett 1861

John B. Earle 1868

John B. Morrison 1870

James D. Wilson 1872

Floyd Triplett 1890

Lee Crouch 1896

S. A. Rowan 1905

F. A. Rowan 1910

Thadeus Pritt 1915

Circuit Clerks.

John Wilson 1809

Archibald Earle 1812

E. D. Wilson 1842

Bernard L. Brown 1849

John B. Earle 1861

L. D. White 1866

LeJand Kittle 1872

John B. Morrison 1879

W. H. Wilson 1885

G. N. Wilson 1897

County Surveyors.

Edward Jackson 1787

Henry Jackson 1793

Robert S. Shanklin 1809

Thos. O. Williams 1819

Bernard L. Brown 1849

Nicholas Marstiller 1852

Milton Hart 1858

Cyrus Kittle 1865

Nicholas Marstiller 1868

C. M. Marstiller 1892

Frank Parsons 1900

E. E. Taylor 1904

A. J. Crickard 1908

A. W. Schoonover 1912

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

^-v.

4^W. ^to-^J^

Signatures of Randolph's Early
From Maxwell's History of
Randolph Coun

mJaairSSS^

Signatures of Early Justices
of the Peace. 1 From Maxwell's
History of Randolph County.)

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Commissioners of the Revenue and Assessors.

The officers whose duty it has been to fix the valuation
of propertv in Randolph County for purposes of taxation,
have not been called by the same name at ail times, nor have
their duties been always the same. In early years they were
known as Commissioners of Revenue, and of late year- As-
sessors. A list follows of those who have filled the office in
this county :

John Haddan 1TST

John Jackson — - 1787

Cornelius Bogard 17^7

John Wilson 17SS

Peter Cassity 1789

Abraham Claypool 1789

William Wamsley 1790

Edward Jackson 1791

Robert Clark - 1792

William Wilson .. -1795

James Bruff 1796

George Rennix 1796

Simon Reeder 1797

St. Leger Stout 18

Asahel Heath - 1801

Nicholas Gibson ...1809

Isaac White 1809

William Wilson 1810

John Crouch 1813

John M. Hart.... 1^-lt

Ely Butcher 1S15

Robert S. Shanklin 1816

Robert Chenoweth 1816

John Currence 1S17

Andrew Crawford 1818

George Wees 1819

Adam Myers 1821

George Stalnaker 1>22

Jacob Teter

Daniel Hart

Daniel Booth

Isaac Taylor 1826

Henry Martin 1^27

Levi Ward 1828

Michael See 1830

Matthew Whitman 1831

John Harris 1832

George Nestor 1833

Andrew Crawford 1834

Peter Conrad 1S35

Brown Jenks 1836

William Shaw 1^37

John Moore

William Marteney 1S39

Lair D. Morrell.... 1S41

Jacob W. See 1S42

Bushrod W. Crawford 1S43

George McLean 1S44

Ely Baxter Butcher 1S45

George Wyatt 1846

John Taylor 1S48

Absalom Crawford 1S49

Charles C. See 1850

Jacob Ward 1851

Parkison Collett 1856

John B. Morrison 1858

Jacob Phares 1860

Squire B. Daniels

Archibald E. Harper 1S61

J. M. Curtis 1876

Jasper W. Triplett

H. H. Taylor

Abel W. Hart

French H. Kittle

Sheffey Taylor

William O. Triplett ...1>92

Thacleus Pritt .1900

J. C. Goddin 1902

L. W. McQuain 1902

A. W. Zinn 1910

J. N. Phares 1913

Justices of the Peace.

From the organization of Randolph until the adoption of
the Constitution of 1852 Justices of the Peace were appointed
by the Governor, and held office for lite if thev ch> - I do

70 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

so. After 1852 they were elected. The following list shows
the names of the Justices and the year when they first ap-
peared on the records :

1787 — Jacob Westfall, Salathial Goff, Patrick Hamilton,
John Hamilton, John Wilson, Cornelius Westfall, Edward
Jackson, Robert Maxwell, Peter Cassity, Cornelius Bogard,
John Jackson, George Westfall, Henry Runyan, John Had-
dan, Jonathan Parsons, Uriah Gandy.

1789 — John Elliott, Abraham Claypool.

1790— Jacob Westfall.

1791 — Abraham Kittle, Matthew Whitman, Terah Os-
born, William Wilson, Jacob Polsley.

1794 — AYilliam Parsons.

1795 — Asahel Heath, John Pancake, John Currence, Jacob
Kittle, Samuel Bonnifield.

1797 — William Seymour, William B. Wilson.

1799 — Simon Reeder, John Chenoweth, Nicholas Mar-
stiller.

1801— Isaac Booth.

1802— Andrew Miller.

1803 — Joseph Long, Daniel Clark, Barthan Hoskins, John
Hartley, John Sanders, John Barnhouse, Joseph Joseph.

1804— Ebenezer Flanagan, Gilbert Boyles.

1806 — John Crouch, John Lamberton, Benjamin Horn-
beck, Nicholas Gibson, Isaac Booth.

1808 — William Daniels, Jonathan Hutton, John Hart.

1809 — Isaac White, Andrew Cawford, George Parsons,
Samuel Ball.

1810 — Matthew Hines, John Skidmore.

1811 — Nicholas Storm, Daniel Booth, Benjamin Riddle.

1813 — Zedekiah Morgan, Andrew Cross, George Wees,
Jonathan Wamsley.

181-1 — Isaac Greggory, Adam Myers, Andrew Friend,
George Stalnaker, Robert S. Shanklin, Jacob Sprigstone, Levi
Ward.

1815 — Hiram Goff, Robert Young, James Tygart.

1817 — Ebenezer Leonard, Frederick Troutwine, Jacob
Teter.

1820— Michael See, Isaac Taylor, William S. Wilson.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 71

1824 — Jonas Crane, Godfrey Hiller, Jonas Harman, John
Harris.

1825— David Wiles, Robert McCrum.

1830 — Brown Jenks, David Goff, Joseph Hart, William
Shaw, John Walker, William Huff, John Moore, Peter Con-
rad, George Nestor.

1831— George See, Henry Sturm, Jacob See.

1832 — William McLain, Squire Bosworth, Jacob Keller.
Ely Butcher, Andrew Miller, Robert N. Ball, John Wyatt,
Joseph Roy, William F. Wilson, Joseph Teter, Adam See.

1835 — Jacob Harper, John Phares, William Rowan, Ad-
onijah B. Ward, Valentine Stalnaker, Lorentz Mitchell, Daniel
W. ShurtlifT, Jarrett Johnson, Abraham Harding, Samuel Kel-
ler Arnold Bonnifield, Isaac Roy, Thomas S. White, John
Arbogast, Andrew M. Wamsley.

1838 — Lemuel Chenoweth, Job Parsons, Samuel Stal-
'naker, Samuel Elliott, Michael H. Neville, John W. Crawford.

1839 — Charles C. See, Francis D. Talbott.

1841 — John A. Hutton.

1842 — Noah E. Corley, George Buckey, William Phares,
John Kelley, William Johnson, John W. Moore, John Taylor.

1845 — David Gilmore, Christian Simmons, Lenox M.
Camden, Elijah Kittle, Archibald Chenoweth, Benjamin W.
Kittle, Jacob Crouch, Abraham Crouch.

1848— Whitman Ward, Adam D. Caplinger, John W.
Haigler, Harrison W. Campbell, James W. Parsons, William
Talbott, James Shreve, William G. Greggory, Harman Snyder,
Thompson Elza.

1852 — Peter L. Lightner, Isaac G. Dodrill, William Ham-
ilton, George W\ Mills, Hezekiah Kittle, Henry Harper, Wil-
liam C. Chenoweth, Jacob Vanscoy, William R. Parsons,
George H. Long, Nathaniel J. Lambert, Joseph White, James
Vance, Jeremiah Lanham, James D. Simon, Absalom Stalnaker.

1854 — Jacob H. Long, Henry C. Moore.

1856— Jacob W. Marshall, Thomas B. Scott, Hamilton
Stalnaker, Abraham Hutton, John A. Rowan, Edwin S. Tal-
bott, Eli Kittle, Aaron Coberly, Arnold Wilmoth, Samuel
Dinkle, Noah H. Harman, James Wilmoth.

72 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

1859 — Asa Harman, Mathias C. Potts, Joseph J. Sim-
mons.

1860 — Jacob Conrad, S. Salisbury, W. Wilson, Washing-
ton G. Ward, George Phillips, Wilson Osborn, Michael Yo-
kum, William F. Corley, William Raines, James H. Lambert,
William Jordan, Elijah J. Nelson.

1861 — Jacob Daniels, Everett Chenoweth.

1862— Henry H. Leigh, D. G. Adams.

1867 — Solomon S. Warner, James W. Dunnington,
Charles Crouch, William Bennett, Patrick Durkin, Pele°- C.
Barlow.

1869 — Sampson Snyder, Reuben S. Butcher, John A.
Vance, John A. King.

1873 — Jesse W. Goddin, J. Wood Price, Riley Pritt,
George H. Phillip, Jacob C. Collett, Adam C. Currence, Eman-
uel White, Patrick Crickard, Leonard H. Schoonover.

1876 — George Wr. Yokum, Holman Pritt, Miles King,
Joseph Bunner, J. W. Summerheld.

1877— Alfred Hutton.

1880 — George Beatty, John Bunner, William H. Wilson,
Z. T. Chenoweth, J. W. Tyre, Jacob C. Harper, Randolph
Triplett.

1882 — Adam H. Wamsley, Peter Crickard.

188-1 — J. H. Hewitt, Melvin Currence, James L. Coff,.
John A. I [amilton, D. E. Coberly.
1886 — James Shannon.

1888— William H. Goss, Adam C. Rowan, William M.
Boyd, H. X. 1 '.runner, Adam L. Findley.

1890— Caleb White.

1892— John R. Crickard, D. P. Harper, Job. W. Parsons,
William Hamilton, James Coberly, J. J. Zickafoose, Lew
Fahrion.

1895— G. F. Sims.

1896— B. Y. Cunningham, Floyd McDonald, W. A. Horn-
beck, X. W. Talbott, A. Brandley, Page C. Marstiller, Peter
Madden, W. Scott Woodford, W. S. Kelley, John W. Hart-
man, Elias Zickafoose.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Prosecuting Attorneys.

The prosecuting attorney, in former times, was appoint-
ed, and did not necessarily live in the county where he served.
The same man sometimes was prosecutor in two or more
counties at one time. Following are the names of the com-
monwealth's attorneys of Randolph :

William McCleary 1787

Thomas Wilson 1791

Maxwell Armstrong 1795

Adam See 1798

William Tingle 1809

Noah Linsley 1809

Edwin S. Duncan 1814

Oliver Phelps 1817

Phineas Chapin 181S

John J. Allen .1820

William McCord ..1829

Gideon D. Camden 1837

David Goff 1835

John S. Huffman 1841

Samuel Crane 1852

Joseph Hart 1862

Nathan H. Taft 1862

Spencer Dayton 1863

Gustavus Cresap 1867

Thomas J. Arnold 1868

Bernard L. Butcher 1876

Cyrus H. Scott 1880

Jared L. Wamsley 1888

C. W. Harding 1901-09

H. G. Kump 1909-15

County Coroners.

Salathiel Goff 1787

Cornelius Bogard 1787

Robert Maxwell 1789

Abraham Kittle 1792

Simon . Reeder 1796

John Chenoweth 1803

Adam Stalnaker 1805

William B. Wilson 180?

Charles Myers 1809

John Stalnaker 1820

Jacob Myers 1827

William Rowan 1854

Lemuel Chenoweth 1855

William C. Chenoweth 1873

County Commissioners.

Solomon C. Caplinger 1880

William M. Phares 1880

Jacob S. Wamsley 1880

Omar Conrad 1880

Jacob Vanscoy 1884

B. W. Crawford 1884

G. W. Yokum 1886

Patrick Crickard 1886

C. S. Armentrout 1888

Jesse P. Phares 1882

Jesse W. Goddin 1892

P. Crickard 1896

John Heavener 1902

R. M. Harper 1904

K. B. Crawfird 1908

A. W. Hart 1912

Judges Circuit Court.

Hugh Nelson 1809

Daniel Smith 1811

Edwin S. Duncan 1831

Geo. H. Lee 1848

Gideon D. Camden 1851

William A. Harrison 1861

Robert Irvine 1863

Thos. W. Harrison 1867

John Brannon 1872

William T. Ice 1881

Joeph T. Hoke 1889

John Holt 1897

Warren B. Kittle 1912

74 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Constables.

1787 — Jacob Riffle, Michael Yokum, Thomas Holder,
Jeremiah York, Jeremiah Cooper, Charles Falnash.

1788 — William Haddix, David Minear, Valentine Stal-
naker, Jacob Shook.

1794 — William Clark, Henry Carr, Jacob Ward.

1796 — Jacob Springston, Henry Phillips.

1797 — John Runkins, Nicholas Smith, George Long, Mat-
thew Wamsley.

1798 — John Phillips, Thomas Cade, Joseph Joseph, John
Sanders.

1799 — Richard Ware, Daniel Canfield, Gilbert Bayles.

1800 — Peter Buckey, John Cntright, John Hart, John
Triplett.

1803 — AYilliam Daniels, Samuel Pierce, Richard Ware.

1804 — George Whitman, William Booth, William Mc-
Corkle.

1805 — Barthan Hoskins, John Hartley, John Spillman,

John Beall.

1809 — George Stalnaker, John Chenoweth, William
Steers, Edward Hart, William F. Wilson, William Stalnaker,
James Holder, Alexander Morrison.

1810 — Adonijah Ward, Samuel Burrett.

1811— John Clark, John Miller. Joseph Roy, Nicholas
Weatherholtz.

1813 — Jonathan Yeager, Levi Skidmore, John W. Stal-
naker, William Kelley, Isaac Wamsley, Samuel Oliver, Isaac
Stalnaker.

1815— David Holder, Wilby Taylor, John Snyder, Jesse
Cunningham, John Lynch, Abraham Bryant.

1817 — David Evans, Solomon Parsons, Isaac Post, Adam
Lough, John Walker.

1818— Thomas Wamsley, Jonas Harman, Samuel Wyatt,
Moses Phillips.

1819 — Solomon Yeager, James Teter, Jesse Bennett, John
Long, Joseph Walker.

1821 — Robert N. Ball, Henry Sturm, Henry Cunning,
Thomas W. Holder.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 75

1823 — William H. Crawford, Jesse Coberly, Enoch Min-
ear, Abraham Wolford, II ugh Dailey, James Turner, Noah
E. Corley.

1825 — Elisha Poling, George Harris, Benjamin Johnson,
Isaac B. Marsh.

1827 — Absalom Wilmoth, William Wamsley, Jacob Kel-
ley, Benjamin P. Marsh, John Taylor, William G. Gilmore.

1829 — John W. Crawford, Eli Walker, Jacob Teter, Abra-
ham Bowman, Edmund S. Wyatt, Thomas Byrd, Washing-
ton Taylor, Joshua Glascock.

1831 — Burwell Butcher, Oliver E. Domire, Joseph Shaw,
William Marsh, John Stout, William Rowan, William Pick-
ens, Absalom Hinkle.

1832 — John Conrad, John Phares, Samuel Keller.

1833— Edward Stalnaker, Daniel W. Shurtliff, James Wr.
Corley, John P. Gray, Jesse Day, Levi Jenks, Arnold Bon-
nifield.

1836 — Andrew M. Wamsley, William Wamsley, Thomas
Phillips, John Sargent.

1837 — Lair D. Morrell, Garrett Johnson, Absalom Har-
den, David Gilmore, James Vance, Thomas S. White, Joseph
J. Simmons, John M. Crouch.

1838 — Adam H. Bowman, William Simpson, Bushrod AY .
Crawford, Archibald Coyner.

1839 — Isaac White, Elias Alexander, Lewis Gilmore,
John C. Wamsley.

1841 — William Wilmoth, Garretson Stalnaker, Francis J.
Holder, John Tygart, Jesse Roy, John Arbogast, Jacob Con-
rad, Abraham Crouch.

1842 — William W. Parsons, Samuel Wamsley, John M.
Phares, Israel Coffman, Flavius J. Holder, Francis O. Shurt-
liff, James R. Parsons, Benjamin Kittle, Henry V. Bowman.

1845— Matthew W. Brady, Milton Hart, Michael Yokum,
John 0. Wilson.

1847 — AArilliam Currence, Michael Walters, Samuel P.
Wallace, Job Parsons, Jr., James Long, Elias Wyatt, Wash-
ington Roy.

1848 — Thomas James, George W. Mills, Cyrus Kittle.

1849 — Allen J. Currence, John W. Adams, Solomon C.

76 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Caplinger, W. H. Coberly, Samuel P. Wilson, Aaron Bell.

1851 — Peter H. Ward, William Raines.

1852 — Hugh S. Hart. Melvine Currence, Moses J. Phillips,
Samuel P. Dinkle, Isaac Roy, Samuel Bonnifield.

185-1 — Jacob Currence, Isaac Wilmoth, Parkinson Collett,
Jesse Parsons, David O. Wilson.

1855 — Alfred Taylor, Washington Stalnaker, George W.
Rowan.

1856 — Michael Magee, Patrick Crickard, Powhatan A.
Tolly.

1858 — Levi White. Squire Daniels.

1860 — Thomas J. Powers, Henry J. White, Patrick Dur-
kin, Edward Grim, O. C. Stalnaker.

1867 — Sampson F. Shiflett, William O. Ferguson, William
H. Quick, Andrew J. Wilmoth, James A. Hicks, AM K. Her-
ren, John Snider. John King.

1869 — Daniel Cooper, Granger Lamb, Montgomery G.
Mathews, James Hicks.

1870— John McGillivany.

[There is a gap of six years in the records which show the
election of constables.]

1876— S. Tyre, E. O. Goddin, George W. Phares, John
Pritt, Jasper Bolton, W. D. Currence, A. J. Wilmoth, Caleb
White, A. J. Bennett, James S. Hutton.

188-1 — French H. Kittle, Lee Yokum, James R. McCal-
lum, P. B. Conrad, A. B. Mouse, J. A. Cunningham, John J.
Xallen, John W. Hartman.

1885— Creed L. Earle, R. L. Pritt.

1888— Page C. Daniels, R. G. Thorn, Charles W. Chan-
nell, Gideon M. Cutright, Hamilton Markley. Hyre A. Stal-
naker. A. FT. Summerfield, George W. Stalnaker.

1892— Lloyd D. Collett, J. H. Currence, Elam E. Taylor,
W. D. Currence. C. C. Crickard, L. W. McOuain, William
Snyder, Patrick Phillips.

189-1 — R. T. Hedges, Page C. Marstiller.

1896 — R. C. Sassi, Daniel Cooper, Frank Shoemaker,
James Brady, Oliver Daniels, A. B. Coberly, E. E. Taylor,
X. B. Hutton.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Colonels of Militia.

Patrick Hamilton 1787

William Lowther 1796

Archibald Earle 1822

Robert N. Ball 1827

Solomon Wyatt 1831

Jacob Keller 1837

David Goff 1844

John W. Crawford 1850

Hoy McLean 1853

Melvin Currence 1860

Cyrus Kittle 1862

Captains of Militia.

Edward Jackson 1787

James Westfall 1787

Peter Cassity 1787

William Wilson 1787

George Westfall 1787

Jonathan Parsons 1787

John Jackson 1789

Jacob Kittle 1794

John Chenoweth 1794

John Haddan 1795

William Parsons 1796

George Rennix 1798

Adam See 1800

Matthew Whitman 1800

Samuel Ball 1802

Benjamin Vannoy 1805

John Crouch 1805

John Currence 1805

Nicholas Gibson 1806

John Forrest 1807

William Booth 1807

Anthony Huff 1807

Andrew Friend 1807

John Wood 1808

Thomas Butcher 1810

William Stalnaker 1810

Solomon Collett 1812

George Anderson 1816

Solomon Yeager 1817

Samuel Oliver 1818

Adonijah Ward 1818

Thomas W. Holder 1823

George McLean 1827

Charles C. See 1828

Solomon Parsons 1828

Arnold Bonnifield 1829

Solomon Wyatt 1829

William McCord 1830

Thompson Elza 1844

Benjamin Kittle 1844

Bushrod W. Crawford 1844

Jacob Conrad 1844

Daniel W. Shurtliff 1844

Elijah M. Hart 1844

John M. Crouch 1844

Wyatt Ferguson 1844

Hamilton Skidmore 1845

Andrew Stalnaker 1845

Hoy McLean 1846

Henry Rader 1846

George W. Berlin 1848

George Kuykendall 1848

Jesse L. Roy 1850

Cyrus Chenoweth 1850

Cyrus Kittle 1851

Washington Salsberry 1851

William C. Chenoweth 1851

Michael Yokum 1851

James L. Hathaway 1851

Heckman Chenoweth 1851

Abraham Hinkle 1852

Aaron Bell 1852

Allen Taylor 1852

Jacob Shafer 1852

Charles Crouch 1852

Jacob Currence 1860

William E. Logan 1860

Sampson Elza 1860

George W. Mills 1860

L. Phillips 1860

William Westfall 1860

George A. Hesler 1860

Arnold Phillips 1860

J. S. Collett 1860

John Rice 1860

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Lieutenants of Militia.

Jacob Westfall 1787

John Jackson 1787

John Haddan 1787

James Kittle 1787

Matthew Whitman 1787

Daniel Booth 1787

William Parsons 1787

George Rennix 1797

Asahel Heath 1799

John Crouch 1800

Nicholas Gibson 1805

John Baker 1805

James Frame 1807

William Johnson 1807

William Currence 1807

Thomas Skidmore 1810

Robert W. Collins 1810

William Bennett 1813

Robert Chenoweth 1814

Jesse Phillips 1815

James Wells 1818

Arnold Bonnifield 1828

Nathan Minear 1829

Solomon Wyatt 1829

Isaac Canfield 1843

Jesse Roy 1843

Jacob Flanagan 1843

Levi Stalnaker 1844

Levi D. Ward 1844

William G. Wilson 1844

John Bright 1844

Jacob W. Manthus 1844

Jeremiah D. Channel 1844

Isaac C. Stalnaker 1844

Vincent Pennington 1844

Cyrus Kittle 1844

Samuel Smith 1844

Everet Chenoweth 1844

Samuel P. Wilson 1844

Elam B. Bosworth 1844

George W. Rennix 1846

Washington Stalnaker 1848

John Phares 1849

Cyrus Chenoweth 1850

Conrad Currence 1852

Nathaniel Moss 1852

George W. Long 1852

Hull Ward 1853

Jacob Long 1853

William E. Long 1853

Simeon Philips 1853

Robert Philips 1853

Thomas T. Talbott 1853

James W. Miller 1853

John M. Stalnaker 1853

Hugh S. Hart 1853

George Little 1853

Randolph Coberly 1853

Dolbeare Kelly 1853

Ezra P. Hart 1853

Arnold Wilmoth 1853

John Wyatt 1853

Jacob Currence ...1853

Charles Channel 1853

William E. Logan 1853

Sampson Salsberry 1853

Samuel Channel 1853

L. Denton 1860

L. Phillips 1860

William M. Westfall 1860

Abraham Smith 1860

John W. Bradley 1862

Andrew C. Currence 1862

James Scott 1862

Patrick King 1862

William Bennett 1862

Jacob W. Fortney 1862.

Alvin Osburn 1862

J. M. Westfall 1862

Solomon P. Stalnaker 1806

Squire B. Daniels 1862

Harrison Moore 1862

Archibald E. Harper 1862

John G. Bradley 1862

William S. Phares 1862

Alfred Stalnaker 1862

Aaron Workman 1866

Riley Pritt 1866

Majors of Militia.

John Wilson 1787

James Westfall 1794

William Wilson 1794

John Haddan 1800

Isaac Booth 1805

Matthew Whitman 1805

John Crouch 1805

David Holder 1820

Henry Sturm 1831

John C. Wamsley 1843

Benjamin Kittle 1849

Patrick Crickard 1860

Archibald Earle 1860

John M. Crouch 1862

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Ensigns of Militia.

John Outright 1787

Jacob Westfall 1787

Anthony Smith 1787

George Rennix 1787

Job Westfall 1787

Jeremiah Cooper 1787

William Seymour 1796

Samuel Ball 1796

George Kittle 1796

James Booth 1798

Barthan Hoskins 1802

John Stalnaker 1805

Thomas Williams 1805

James Tygart 1806

John J. Harrison... 1807

William Huff 1807

Thomas Skidmore 1807

Jacob Pickle 1807

Solomon Yeager 1815

Aaron Gould 1818

Job Parsons 1818

Nathan Minear 1828

Isaac D. Neville 1829

William W. Chapman 1829

Jesse Vannoy 1830

In the early records of Randolph frequent reference was
made to Samuel Pringle, who deserted Fort Pitt in 1761 and
located in what is now Upshur County in 1765. He was a
witness in the court at Beverly in 1803 and was allowed for
traveling 30 miles. This is the distance from Beverly to the
former home of the Pringles near the present town of Buck-
hannon. Pringle's name is mentioned for the last time in the'
Randolph records in the year 1803.

It seems that the refusal to exercise the elective fran-
chise was an indictable offense in pioneer days. At the May
term of the court, 1803, a number of indictments were found
against individuals who "for not giving or offering to give
their votes for a member of Congress and two members of
the General Assemblv of the State."

80 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER V.

HARRISON COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS.

AT a court held at the residence of George Jackson on the
Buckhannon River, July 20, 1784, the oath of office was
administered to the following Justices of the Peace: Benjamin
Wilson, John P. Duval, Wm. Lowther, James Anderson,
Henry Delay, Nicholas Carpenter, John Powers, Thos. Chane,
Jacob Westfall, Salathiel Goff and Patrick Hamilton.

At the same term of the court Jacob AYestfall and Patrick
Hamilton were authorized to celebrate the rites of matrimony.

Cornelius Westfall, Geo. Jackson, Edward Jackson, John
Wilson and Robert Maxwell were recommended to the Gov-
ernor as suitable persons to hold the office of Justice of the
Peace.

Jacob Riffle, John Currence and Matthew Whitman were
appointed Constables.

At a court held at Clarksburg, September, 1784, Patrick
Hamilton, Jacob Westfall, John Wilson, were appointed
Captains of Militia. Peter Cassity, Cornelius Bogard, and
George Westfall were appointed Lieutenants of Militia.

Abram Kittle, Thos, Phillips, Geo. Westfall, Sr. and
Benjamin Hornbeck were appointed Viewers of a road from
Jacob Westfall's Mill to a bridge opposite Geo. Westfall's
Mill.

Ebenezer Petty, John Yokum, Peter Cassity and Jacob
Stalnaker, Sr., were appointed Viewers of a road from the
bridge opposite Geo. Westfall's Mill to Darby Conly's Place.

At a Court held at Clarksburg, September 22, 1784, Jonas
Friend was appointed a Surveyor of a Public Highway from
his own house to Eberman's Creek. He was to collect
tithables on Leading Creek, both side of the Valley River, up
Eberman's Creek and across the river to Hezekiah Rose-
crances, and to keep same in lawful repair.

At a term of the Harrison Countv Court held at Clarks-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 81

"burg, September, 1784, Henry Petro was appointed Surveyor
■of a highway from Ebermans Creek to Jacob Westfall's Mill
and tithables from said Creek upwards to Files Creek and
William Smith's.

Most of the litigation in the Harrison county court seem-
•ed to be between parties then living in that part of Harrison,
now embraced in Randolph. The case of Cornelius Westfall
vs. Joseph Donohue and Westfall & Crouch vs. Donohue,
both cases of debt were at the September term 1784, dis-
missed as generally agreed.

At the same term of the Court the following cases involv-
ing people living in the valley were disposed of:

John Warwick, plaintiff, vs. Joseph Friend, defendant.
Upon motion of the defendant that the plaintiff be nonsuited
for failing to file his declaration, the court ordered the same
to be nonsuited.

Case of John Westfall vs. Benjamin Hornbeck, trespass,
continued.

Johnathan Smith vs. James Taffe, attachment. The at-
tachment was dissolved and Thos. Wilmoth entered special
bail for defendant and the common proceedings of law to
issue. Declaration and plea of payment filed and rule for
trial at March term.

David Bradford took oath as directed by law and was
admitted to practice as an attorney. He was thus the first
attorney to qualify in what is now Randolph County.

At Court held at Clarksburg, Va., November, 1784 Jacob
Stalnaker was appointed Surveyor of Roads from Jacob West-
fall's Mill to Alexander Maxwell's Old Place and to collect
tithables for same. It is signficant that at this early date that
a farm be designated as an Old Place.

On motion of Jacob Crouch, Thomas Lackey was fined
350 pounds of tobacco for contempt of Court for failing to
answer summons as witness. He was summoned to appear
at the next term of the Court to show cause why execution
should not issue for said judgment.

The rate of liquor license, victuals, horse forage, etc., for

82 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Ordinary Keepers was fixed as follows for the year 1784:

S P

Wine, per pint 1 6

Jamaica spirits, per pint iy2

Peach and apple brandy, per pint 6

Rye whiskey, per pint 6

Beer, per quart 6

Cider, per quart 6

Mead, per quart 6

Warm breakfast 9

Cold breakfast 8

Warm supper 9

Cold supper 4

Bed for night, clean sheets 4

If not clean, nothing 0

Horse and hay for night 7%

Corn and oats per gallon 7%

Pasturage, 24 hours 4

The following Justices composed that Court : James An-
derson, John Powers, John McCally, John Sleeth, and Ed-
ward Jackson.

In 1784 there were 337 tithables in Harrison County.
Two-thirds, or 225 tithables, were in what is now Randolph,
Tucker and Upshur counties.

At a court held at Clarksburg in August, 1785, Cornelius
Bogard was appointed Surveyor of a highway from Wilson's
Mill to Rockingham County line. The tithables in Tygarts
Valley from Joseph Crouch's down, and including Leading
Creek, Wilmoth's settlement and Dry Fork of Cheat settle-
ments were by their labor to keep this highway in good repair.

At the term of the Court held at Clarksburg, Va., Febru-
ary 1, 1786, it was ordered that a path be opened from Conoly's
Lick to the top of Allegheny Mountain. John Warwick was
appointed Overseer. The petitioners for this road were James
Lackey, Jr., David Henderson, James Lackey, Sr., Francis
McDonald, Jacob Riffle, Geo. Wilson, Geo. Johnson, John
Warwick, Geo. Parsons, Benjamin Abbott, John Alfred,
David Haddan, Thos. Lackey, John Hamilton, James Moore,
William Hamilton, James McLean, Pat. Hamilton, John
Alexander and Robert Flenderson.

At a Court held at Clarksburg, September, 1786, Wm.
Wilson. Cornelius Westfall, Andrew Skidmore and Nicholas
Petro were ordered to view a road from Tygarts Valley road

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 83

by way of Mud Lick to Cheat River at Phillip Menear's in
Horse Shoe Settlement.

An Early Inventory.

An inventory of the personal estate of John Crouch was
riled in the county court of Harrison County, September 4,
1786 by Charles Formelson, John Wilson and Patrick Hamil-
ton. This indicates the usual articles possessed by the aver-
age citizen of that period as well as their valuation.

L S d

One black mare 10

One sorrel yearling horse colt 3

One bay horse colt 15

One saddle and bridle 1 2

One rifle gun and shot bag 4

One yearling bay horse colt 11

One pair leather breeches 1 4

One iron pot and dutch oven with bails 1 4

One cow 3

One jacket with scarlet fore shirt 1 5

One pr. silver knee buckles and stork buck 18

One straight coat 1 16

One straight coat without lining 1

One furred hat 10

One Great coat 1 4

One old jacket and old leggins 6

One shirt 10

One pair old leather breeches 6

One sieve 8

Cash and one Johannas 4 16

Johannes, above mentioned, was a Portuguese coin of the
value of eight dollars; often contracted into joe; half-joe.
It is named from the figure of King John which it bears.

Residents in Randolph, 1785.

At the June term of the Harrison County Court, 1785, a
list of all the white inhabitants of Harrison County, subject
to the payment of taxes, was ordered taken. Assessors were
appointed and the county divided into districts. The names
of women who owned property are given.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

H. Delay's District from Petty's Ford to Joseph Crouch.

Anthony Chevalear
George Westfall
John Crouch, Jr.
John Currenc
Charles Parsons
Henry Delay

Johnathan Crouch
Ebenezer Petty
John Crouch, Sr.
Liddia Currence
William Currence

Ed. Tackson's District — Buckhannon Riyer Settlement

Charles Foranash
Henry Fink, Sr.
John Cutrite, Jr.
John Bush
John Jackson
Dayid Casto
Henry Fink, ]r.

Joseph Hall
Edward Jackson
John Bosart

Henry Runyan
John Cutrite, Sr.
John Jackson, Jr.

Jacob Westfall's District from Leading Creek up In
Petty's Ford. Both Sides of Riyer.

Aaron Richardson
Abraham Kittle
Anthony Smith
Benjamin A\ llson
Benjamin Cutright
Benjamin Jones
Cornelius Bogard
Daniel Westfall
Dayid Cassity
Dayid Henderson
Dayid Phillips
Elizabeth Springstone
George Bredin
Henry Petro
John Trubies
John Paul}-
John Wilson
Isaac McHenry
Johnathan Smith
Jacob Wolf
Joseph Donahue
Thomas Holder
George Breeding

Xicholas Petro
Nicholas Wolf
Peter Bredin
Peter Cassity
Phineas Wells
Phillip Clem
Richard Kittle
Solomon Ryan
Jonas Friend
Benjamin Hornbeck
Andrew Skidmore
Samuel McHenry
Samuel Quick
Thomas Phillip-
Thomas Bore
Valentine Stalnaker
William Cassity
William Smith
A\ "illiam Le\itt
A\ illiam Blair. Sr.
AYilliam Briggs
AWlliam Blair, Jr.
Zacharia U'stfall

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Jacob Stalnaker, Sr.
Jacob Stalnaker, Jr.
Jacob Westfall, Sr.
Jacob Westfall, Jr.
John Johnson
John Yoakum
John Kittle
John Cassity
Mathias Whitman
Michael Toner
Nicholas Smith

William Anglin
George Teter
Jacob Shook
Samuel Eberman
Alexander Blair
Elizabeth Shaver
Hezekiah Rosecronts
Jacob Shaver
Jacob Brinkle
Joseph Friend
James Bodkin

Cornelius Westfall's District from Leading Creek Down to

the County Line, Between the East Side of the

River and Cheat Mountain.

Cornelius Westfall
John Westfall
Robert Maxwell
William Westfall
Daniel Booth
Phillip Washburn

Samuel Cole
William Wilson
George Westfall
Hannah Wire
William Haddix
William Clark

Patrick Hamilton's District from Jacob Crouche's up to

the County Line.

George Alford
John Alexander
Judy Crouch
Robert Henderson
John Hadden
James Leckey, Sr.
Francevs McDonald
Charles Xilson
Elmer Riffle
Christopher Truby
Benjamin Abbott
Margaret Bare
Richard Elliott
William Hamilton
David Hadden
Thomas Leckey

James Moor
James Prathor
Daniel Simerman
John' Warwick
Peter Shavers
John Alford
Joseph Crouch
Patrick Plamilton
John Hamilton
James Leckey, Jr.
James McClain
Joseph Milton
Jacob Riffle
George Shavers
George Wilson

86 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER VI.

EARLY MILITARY MATTERS.

JACOB COXRAD was a private in Uriah Springer's com-
pany in 1781 when the present area of Randolph was a
part of Monongalia County. He was in service at Pittsburg.

There were three invalid pensioners in Randolph in 1835.
They were William Shreves, Abram Burner and Fortunatius
Snyder. Each received an annual stipend of S96.00. Others
who were not invalids, but on the pension list for that year
were: Henry Fansler, Virginia, Continental, aged 73; Jacob
Kittle, Xew Jersey Militia, aged 77 ; Marney Rarvan, Virginia
Continental, aged 83 ; Ambrose Lipscomb, Virginia Militia,
aged 82; David Minear, Virginia Militia, aged 79; John Ne-
ville, Virginia State Troops, aged 69: John Ryan, Virginia
Continental, aged 75; James Tenner, Virginia, aged 68; John
Woolford, Virginia Militia, aged 80: Matthew Whitman, Vir-
ginia Militia, aged 74; Henry Whiteman, Pennsylvania Mili-
tia, aged 75.

The following pensioners of the Revolutionary war were
living in Randolph in 1840: Mary Chenoweth, widow of John
Chenoweth, aged 78; John Xeville, Sr., aged 74; Henry Fans-
ler, aged 79, residing with Andrew Fansler; Jacob Kittle,
aged 84; Nancy Ann Hart, widow of Edward Hart, aged 83.

The following pensions were suspended awaiting fur-
ther proof: Thomas Isner, service subsequent to the Revolu-
tion; Johnathan Smith, services not of a military character;
Michael Boyles, awaiting further proof ; Catherine Parsons,
period, length and mode of serrice and name of company and
field officers wanting.

Gorernor Bererly Randolph ordered into service in 1790
the following scouts for the protection of the settlements in
Randolph County. They were in service two months from
March 1. 1790 to May 1, 1790. The following facts have been
obtained concerning them : Valentine Stalnaker, aged 30, size

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 87

5 feet 9 inches, nationality, Virginia; Phineas Wells, aged 30,
size 5 feet 9 inches, nationality, New York; James Stewart
Elliott, aged 22, size 5 feet 10 inches, nationality Virginia;
James Westfall, aged 22, size 5 feet 11 inches, nationality
Virginia; James Schoolcraft, aged 20, size 5 feet 8 inches, na-
tionality Virginia ; Jacob Reger, aged 23, size 6 feet, nation-
ality Virginia.

In 1792 Governor Henry Lee, apprehending an Indian in-
cursion into the valley ordered into service the following
scouts in Randolph: Valentine Stalnaker, Charles Parsons,
Geo. Westfall, John Jackson, William Gibson, William West-
fall, and Thomas Carney.

The following persons from Randolph were officers in the
war of 1812: Isaac Booth, Colonel, date of commission, Dec.
10, 1807: John Crouch, Major, date of commission, Aug. 30,
1806; Hiram Goff, Major, date of commission, Dec. 10, 1807;
Solomon, Collett Captain, served at Norfolk and other places
on Atlantic seaboard in 1812.

Randolph County paid $5,465.50 in direct taxes to aid the
United States in prosecuting the war of 1812.

The following correspondence from Colonel Benjamin
Wilson to Governor Harrison, dated December 9, 1782, re-
veals the dangers to which the early settlers were subject,
during the first two decades of the occupation of the county.
Many other facts of interest are disclosed. Flints which at
that time were necessary munitions of war were furnished by
the General Government. The number of men in the county
subject to military duty is also gleaned from the reports.

Sir : — At this time duty obliges me to lay before yout
Honor this letter which contains a narrative of the present
state of the County of Monongalia together with my humble
request.

Notwithstanding your parental care of my county, last
Spring before aid came to its relief, the settlement of Buck-
hannon broke up and moved into the interior parts of the
county, which unhappy event caused about fourteen or fifteen
families of the settlement of Tygarts Valley to leave the
countv. At this time Tygarts Yallev is a frontier, also Horse

88 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Shoe, West Fork, Dunkard Bottom and about fifteen miles of
Cheat River settlement, the county as now inhabited is about
one hundred and ten computed miles from North to South.

There are about sixty-eight effective men in Tygarts
Valley, eighteen at the Horse Shoe, eighty at West Fork,
twenty-five at Dunkard Bottom and about one hundred and
sixty at forks of Cheat River and Sandy Creek Glades, so
that from the scattered condition of the country the damages
the people have already sustained by the frequent incursions
of the Indians since the commencement of this war, will, I
believe (and from the voice of the people) cause the firse four
mentioned settlements to break up and leave the country,
should the Indians pursue the war with the vigor they did
last Spring, unless timely relieved by your excellency's in-
terposition.

I here insert the different incursions made by the Indians
in my county this year until the eleventh day of October:
first incursion made February 7th, next 10th day, next 12th
day, next 20th day of March, next 22nd day. next 7th day of
April, next 12th, next 24th, next 29th day of May, next 12th
day of August. I await your answer.

Sir, from your most obedient and very humble servant,

BENJAMIN WILSON.

Memorial to the Governor by Delegates from
Randolph County.

On October 27, 1790, Abraham Clavpool and Cornelius
Bogard, delegates to the Assembly from Randolph County,
addressed a memorial to the Governor of Virginia praying
that the four scouts from Randolph be allowed their claims
for services rendered during the year, 1789. These delegates
also petitioned Governor Beverly Randolph, Nov. 1, 1790,
stating the defenseless condition of the counties for 400 miles
along the Ohio river exposed to the hostile invasion of the
Indians and destitute of every support, is truly alarming.
The Governor was asked to relieve the people from the
threatened danger or lav their complaints before the proper
tribunal for redress.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 89

John P. Duvall, County Lieutenant of Harrison County to
Governor Henry Lee, December 20, 1791.

Sir:—-] could wish to have about twenty of the men to be
raised for the defense of Harrison County, stationed on the
Ohio, ten at .Veal's Station, the Little Kanawha, and ten at
or near the mouth of the Muskingum.

I could also wish your excellency to appoint some person
to .employ a person to prepare the arms belonging' to the State
in the counties of Ohio, Monongalia, Harrison and Randolph,
as they are much out of repair, and also wish you to appoint
Colonel Benjamin Wilson to muster the men for the counties
of Harrison and Randolph.

And am Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble
servant,

JOHN P. DUVALL.

In 1792 the Governor of Virginia authorized the distri-
bution of a number of scouts to protect the frontier from the
apprehended invasion of the Indians from the territory West
of the Ohio River. William Lowther, of Harrison County,
wrote to Gen. James Woods informing him of the following
distribution of men at his disposal: Two scouts at the mouth
of the Little Kanawha, two scouts on the frontier of the West
Fork settlements. In Randolph he stated he had under his
command a Lieutenant, two Sergeants, two Corporals and
twenty-five privates which the Randolph officers distributed
as follows : Lieutenant, fifteen privates, Sergeant and Corporal
in the upper end of the valley. Eleven men and a Sergeant
were sent to the Buckhannon settlement

The Governor of Virginia Sends Flints to the Settlers.

With the modern inventions of the weapons of warfare,'
it seems incredible that as late as 1792 the Governor of Vir-
ginia would send flints to the settlers of the frontier as muni-
tions of war in their defense against the invasion of Indians
from tribes West of the Ohio River. However, Colonel Benj.
Wilson, writing to General James Woods, from Morgantown,

90 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

June 7, 1792, informs him that powder, lead, and flints had
been received and distributed to the Captains of Militia in
Randolph, Harrison and Monongalia counties.

Philadelphia War Department, 7th April, 1792.

Colonel Benjamin Wilson,

Sir: — I am directed by the President of the United States
to acknowledge the receipt of yours to him of the 29th ot
February, 1792. and inform you that his excellency, the Gov-
ernor of Virginia, was authorized in behalf of the President
of the United States to add as many scouts as he should
judge expedient, at the general expense to any part of the
exposed not exceeding eight in number in any one count}'.

It is the disposition of the President of the United States
that the must entire protection should be afforded the exposed
counties that the nature of the case may require. The ex-
ecutive of Virginia must be presumed to be competent to
judge of this matter, and they have made an arrangement
upon this subject, but as some inconvenience may result from
waiting for an application from the Governor of Virginia,
the counties of Randolph and Monongalia will be permitted
the four scouts requested by your letter of the 27th February,
together with such a sufficient number of rangers upon the
continental establishment as a temporary arrangement as
shall be deemed indispensably necessary, not exceeding the
Company mentioned in your letter, until the executive of
Virginia may make an application confirmative of the same
for the season.

I am your humble servant,

H. KNOX.

Strength of Militia in Randolph.

The County Lieutenants reported to James Woods, Lieu-
tenant Governor of Virginia. June 7, 1792, the following as
the strength of the militia in the counties of Harrison, Ran-
dolph and Monongalia : Benjamin Wilson reports strength
of Harrison Count}- militia at 400; Jacob Westfall reports
strength of Randolph County militia at 174 or 200; John

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 91

Evans reports strength of Monongalia County militia at 730.

Colonel Benjamin Wilson Appeals to President
of United States.

Harrison County, Ya., February 29, 1792.

Sir: — It would be intruding on you for me to call your
attention to the disposition of the Indians when fired with
conquest, on their dastardly way of war. Particularly their
lying in wait about houses to take advantage of defenseless
women and children, their ambuscading roads, robberies, etc.
It may suffice only to mention the situation of the exposed
frontier and the present fears of the people.

Ohio County covers a part of Monongalia County and
Harrison a part of Randolph County, and my observation
since the year 1774, Ohio and Harrison have stood on a simi-
lar footing in point of danger. The lamentable catastrophe
that befell the Federal Army last fall has with fear so im-
pressed the minds of the exposed people that it is pitiable to
hear their complaints, and sure 1 am that many of them
would move from the exterior settlements was not their con-
solation a full confidence in your granting extensive tempor-
ary relief, as well as to pursue the reduction of the Indians
upon a more extensive scale than has been heretofore done.
I wish not to trespass upon your time or patience, but con-
ceive it my duty to mention my adjoining counties, viz : That
Randolph may be favored with an addition of four scouts,
and Monongalia with four, Ohio I learn is by your excel-
lency provided for, with an additional number of those al-
lowed by this State.

Sir, I am your humble and devoted servant,

BEN J. WILSON.

Sir: — If you condescend to answer the above, the way
by Winchester is the swiftest and surest conveyance.

B. W.

92 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Captain Cornelius Bogard of Randolph to Governor.

Randolph County, August 16, 1794.

On receiving your orders I raised a company of volun-
teers for the defense of the Monongalia District. On the 17th
March last I received orders from Captain William Lowther
to station the troops raised in this county at the head of the
Tygarts Valley and Buckhannon Rivers. I acted agreeably
to his instructions and kept the troops stationed at these
points until I received another letter from Captain Lowther
with orders to march them under my care to the mouth oi
the Great Hock Hocking, or a little settlement about four
miles above Hock Hocking. I received said orders on the
8th of Jul}-. On consideration of the distance I had to march
I thought it would be impracticable to march before the first
Monday in August, but on the 29th I had an express from
Buckhannon, giving the intelligence that the Indians had
taken a young woman prisoner from the West Fork. I im-
mediate!}' marched a part of my company to the place where
the mischief was done, but did not overtake the enemy. I
got back to the Valley the 10th of August where I found the
people much alarmed. I think it my duty to try to detect
the enemy if they be in the settlement before I march to the
Ohio. The vacancy on the Ohio between Belleville and the
mouth of the Big Kanawha is the worst inlet to the Indians..

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 93

CHAPTER VII.

EARLY LAND PATENTS.

THE General Assembly of Virginia in 1777, passed an Act,
providing that all persons, who settled on the Western
Waters prior to the 24, day of June, 1776, should be given
400 acres of land for every family. In 1779 that law was
changed to require one year's residence and the raising one
crop of corn, to entitle him to 400 acres. In 1781 a commis-
sion was appointed to grant certificates to those who were
entitled to lands in the counties of Monongalia, Ohio and
Yohogania. These certificates are of the greatest historical
value as fixing the date and place of occupancy of the pioneers.
Appended are certificates granted to settlers in this sec-
tion of the District. The first one is copied in full, followed
by extracts from others.

\\ e, the commissioners for adjusting claims to unpatent-
ed lands in the counties of Monongalia, Yohogania and Ohio,
do certify that William Isner is entitled to 400 acres of land
in Monongahela County, on Tygarts Valley River to include
his settlement made in 1775, adjoining lands of Benjamin
Wilson.

Given under our hands at Colonel John Evan's this 7,
day of March in the fifth year of the Commonwealth 1781.

JOHN P. DUVALL,
JAMES NEAL,
WILL HAYMOND.

This certificate cannot be entered with the surveyor
after the 26, of October, 1781.

Wm. McCleary, Clk. Com.
Ent'd, 9th. April 1781.

Thos. Wilmoth is entitled to 400 acres of land on Cheat
River to include settlement made in 1776.

94 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Thos. Wilmoth, assignee of Geo. Shaver, 400 acres on
Cheat River near to lands of settlement of 1776.

John Wilmoth 200 acres on Cheat River to include set-
tlement made in 1776 and adjoining lands of Thos. Wilmoth.

John Haddin, 200 acres on Haddin's IN J ill Run to include
settlement of 1774.

Jacob White 100 acres on Laurel Run to include settle-
ment made in 1773. Preemption.

Richard Jackson, 400 acres on South Fork of Ten Mile
Creek, including his settlement made in 1775.

Geo. Walker, 200 acres, adjoining lands of John Wil-
moth, including settlement of 1777".

John Yeoakum, 400 acres on Barker's Creek to include
settlement made 1773.

Michael Yeoakum, 400 acres on Sugar Creek to include
settlement of 1772.

Noah Hadden, 1000 acres 2 miles from mouth of Elk
Creek and Haddin's Cabbin.

Daniel Fink, 1000 acres on Fink's Run to include his set-
tlement, made in 1772.

David Wilson, 400 acres on Buckhannon River to include
settlement of 1772, adjoining lands of Henrv Fink.

John Fink, preemption 1000 acres on Buckhannon River
to include settlement of 1777.

Phillip Menear, 400 acres on Cheat River.

William Westfall, 1000 acres on Teter's Creek, including
settlement of 1772.

John Jackson, Junior, 400 acres Turkey Run on Buck-
hannon River, adjoining lands of John Jackson, Senior, to in-
clude his settlement made in 1773.

Benjamin Wilson, 400 acres on Leading Creek, right of
residence and including improvements made in 1773. Ad-
joining lands of Thos. Skidmore.

Jacob Conrad and Benjamin Wilson, tenants in com-
mon, 400 acre-; at Bulltown, on Kanawha River, including
settlement made in 1775.

John Jackson, 400 acres on Buckhannon, including set-
tlement made 1776.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 95

Isaac Brooks, assignee of Samuel Pringle, 400 acres on
Buckhannon River including settlements made in 1772.

Timothy Dorman, 400 acres on Buckhannon River in-
cluding improvements of 1773.

John Reger, 400 acres on Buckhannon River to include
settlement made 1773.

Salathiel Goft. 400 acres Cheat River to include settle-
ment made in 1774.

Thomas Parkeson, 1000 acres by right of preemption at
the Tygarts Valley Falls to include improvements made 1773.

John Wilson and Martin Shobe, assignee, of James
Knotts, as tenants in common, 400 acres on Dry Fork of
Cheat to include settlement made at Horse Camp in 1776.

Edward Jackson and John Fink, as tenants in common,
assignees to George Parsons, 400 acres in Parsons right o\
residing and raising a crop of corn, to include an improve-
ment made by the said Parsons on the Head of Little Elk,
adjoining lands claimed by Timothy Dorman in 1775.

David Minear, 200 acres Clay Lick Run, a branch of
Cheat River in right of residence to include improvements
of 1776.

Salathiel Goff, assignee of William Wilson, 400 acres at
the mouth of Pleasant Creek, opposite to lands claimed by
Thos. Parsons, to include settlement of 1776.

Salathiel Goft, assignee of Thomas Pence, 200 acres on
Cheat River nearly opposite Horse Shoe Bottom, to include
settlement of 1776.

John Reger, 400 acres on each side of Buckhannon river
nearby joining lands of Timothy Dorman to include his set-
tlement made 1773.

Edward Jackson, 400 acres Finks Run to include settle-
ment of 1774.

Geo Peck, assignee of Edward Tanner 400 acres on
Buckhannon River, adjoining lands of George Jackson to
include settlement 1774.

Christopher Strader, 400 acres in the right of raising corn
crop before 1778 on Buckhannon Fork.

Charles Fornash, assignee of Alexander Sleath, 400 acres
on the Buckhannon River, to include his settlement of 1772.

96 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Jeremiah Prather, assignee of John Davis, who was as-
signee of Daniel Hagle, 200 acres in Tygarts Valley on the
West side of the river, adjoining lands of Peter Cassity and
Benjamin Jones, to include his settlement of 1771.

James Parson, 400 acres in the Horse Shoe Bottom, Cheat
River, to include his settlement made in 1769.

John Heagle. 400 acres on Buckhannon to include his
settlement made in 1776.

John Haddin, 200 acres on Haddin's Mill Run, a branch
of the Tygarts Valley River, to include his settlement made
in 1774. "

Geo. Teter, 400 acres on Tygarts Vallev River, adjoin-
ing said river, to include his settlement made in 1772.

William Anglin, 400 acres on Tygarts Valley River at
Pringle's Ford, including his settlement made in 1773.

Geo. Jackson, assignee Alexander Sleeth, 400 acres on
Buckhannon River including his settlement made in 1769.

Isaac Brooks, assignee of Samuel Pringle. 400 acres on
Buckhannon River, to include settlement of 1776.

John Jackson, assignee of William White, 400 acres on
Buckhannon River to include settlement made in 1772.

Old Land Entries.

Joseph Friend entered 100 acres on the East side of
Cheat River to include improvements made in 1783.

Andrew Skidmore, assignee of William Wamslev, enter-
ed 5000 acres to include Salt Black Lick. 1783.

John Harness, 600 acres on Black Water, a branch of
Cheat River, adjoining lands of Ruby Shobe and Isaac Horn-
beck, 1783.

John Crouch, assignee, Geo. Harness, 70 acres adjoining
lands he now lives on Tygarts Valley River, 1783.

William Westfall, 24 acres. West side Tygarts Valley
River, 3 miles to the left hand of Geo. Westfall's Mill to in-
clude the Coper Banks, April, 1783.

Uriah Gandy, 200 acres on Dry Fork of Cheat to include
land he formerly lived on, 1783.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 97

Phincas Wells, assignee of Ben. Wilson, 100 acres, below
and adjoining lands of Abraham Kittle, 1781.

David Lilly, 600 acres East of Tygarts Valley River, ad-
joining lands of William Westfall, 1783.

From the entry of William Westfall as given above, the
"Coper Banks" were evidently a place of local celebrity in
the vicinity of Beverly in 1783.

Real Estate Conveyances, 1787-92.

200 Acres. Ebenezer Petty to Gabriel Friend, adjoining
lands of John Crouch and John Harness in Tygarts Valley.

10 Acres. John Warwick to Sylvester Ward, East side
of Valley River.

900 Acres. James Arnold to Jacob McEnry, Cave Run,
a branch of Tygarts Valley River.

5400 Acres. Samuel Hanaway to Mathias Halstead, Elk
River.

600 Acres. John Hagel to Henry Runyan, Buckhannon
River.

130 Acres. Jacob Shaver to Wm. Briggs, Kings Run.
200 Acres. Joseph Friend to Henrv Smith, Mud Lick Run.
1000 Acres. James Hanaway to Benjamin Hall, Davis

Run and Hawe's Run. /

540 Acres. James Arnold to Ignatius Hayden, Tygarts
Valley River.

600 Acres. James Arnold to Robert Price, Sandy Creek.

300 Acres. Charles Tomilson to James Lackey, Tygarts
Valley River.

170 Acres. James Lackey to Charles Tomilson, Tygarts
Valley River.

103 Acres. John Lackey to John Hadden, Tygarts Val-
ley River.

170 Acres. Joseph Crouch to Geo. See. Tygarts Vallev
River.

400 Acres. Wm. Gibson to Charles Myers, Sugar Creek.

131 Acres. Simean Harris to David Lillv, Tygarts
Valley.

225 Acres. James Arnold to Thomas Martin.

98 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

2000 Acres. Edward Jackson to Henry Arkeport, ad-
joining lands of John Jackson and James Arnold.

1000 Acres. Richard Mason to Wm. W. Cary, Middle
Fork.

250 Acres. William Wilson to John Shenick, West side
Cheat River.

400 Acres. John Hardin to Hector Hardin, Cove Run.

1000 Acres. Brooks Beal to William Wilson, East side
Tygarts \ 'alley River.

6j4 Acres. Henry Petro to Richard Kittle, Wilson Creek.

197 Acres. Aaron Richardson to Charles Myers, West
side Tygarts Valley River.

186 Acres. Sylvester Ward to Geo. See, John Warwick
land.

213 Acres. Cornelius Bogard to Jacob Stalnaker, Fil^^
Creek.

135 Acres. John Crouch to John Pancake, West of
Tygarts Valley River, adjoining lands of Ebenezer Petty.

20 Acres. Abram Kittle to Phineas Wells, East side of
Valley River.

210 Acres. John Alexander to Jacob Poseley, East side
of Valley River.

130 Acres. Jacob Shaver to Wm. Biggs, Trout Run.

197 Acres. Elizabeth Shaver to Boston Stalnaker, ad-
joining lands of Alexander Maxwell and Wm. Currence.

500 Acres. John Jackson, Jr. to Wm. Waters, Turkey
Run.

200 Acres. Daniel Westfall to Henry Fink, East side
Tygarts Valley River.

112 Acres. Nicholas Smith to Wm. Smith, West side
Tygarts Valley River, adjoining lands of Isaac White.

120 Acres. Benjamin Jones to John Currence, West side
Tygarts Valley River.

190 Acres. Daniel Henderson to Wm. Clark, Tygarts-
Valley River.

300 Acres. John Cassity to Wm. Wamsley, West side of
Valley River, adjoining lands of Peter Cassitv above an<J
Wm. Levett below.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 99

166 Acres. Cornelius Bogard to Daniel Richardson, Files
Creek.

96 Acres. Jeremiah Cooper to Patrick Burns, Cheat
River.

3000 Acres. Hugh Thompson to Joseph Gibson, Elk
River.

396 Acres. David Conley to Jacob Kuhnrod (Conrad),
adjoining lands of Wra, Hamilton.

330 Acres. \Ym. Wilson to John Beall, Mouth of Roar-
ing Creek.

260 Acres. Jacob Eberman to John Smith, Tygarts Val-
ley River.

9322 Acres. Thomas Pennell to Stephen Sherwood, Elk
River.

5000 Acres. Joseph Pennell to Stephen Middlebrook,
Elk River.

1434 Acres. Thomas Pennell to Stephen Sherwood, Elk
River.

57 Acres. Henry Mace to John Bogard, Cheat River.

190 Acres. Geo. Reed to John Currence, West side Val-
ley River.

77 Acres. Thomas Wilmoth to James Thompson, Cheat
River.

77 Acres. James Thompson to Uriah Gandy, Cheat
River.

200 Acres. Philip Kizer to Cornelius Bogard, Shavers
Run.

337 Acres. Peter Cassity to Benjamin Hornbeck, ad-
joining land of Wm. Wamsley, West side Valley River.

300 Acres. Sylvester Ward to John Pancake, East side
Valley River.

135 Acres. Wm. Briggs to Jacob Weese, Kings Run.

150 Acres. Jacob Westfall to Sylvester Ward, East side
Valley River.

200 Acres. Geo. Breeding to Abraham Clay pool, East
side Tygarts Valley River, between the two tracts of Geo. See.

190 Acres. Michael Isner to David Henderson, both sides
of the river, adjoining lands of Abram Kittle and Henry
Peatro.

609665 A

100 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

195 Acres. Nicholas Petro to Henry Petro, adjoining
land of Benjamin Wilson, Daniel Westfall, Abram Kittle,
John Kittle and Jacob White.

402 Acres. Cornelius Bogard to Jacob C. Harper, East
side Tygarts Valley River.

The consideration in the sale of the 402 acre tract of
land of Cornelius Bogard to Jacob C. Harper was SI. 458. 00.
In the sale of 337 acres of land of Peter Cassity to Benjamin
Hornbeck. the consideration was S972.00. This tract was
north of the present railway station of Daily, in Valley Bend
District, and the descendants of Benjamin Hornbeck own
and reside upon a portion of the tract at the present time.

Old Surveys.

The following surveys were made in what is now Ran-
dolph County before separation from Harrison :

August 3, 1785, Geo. Harness, adjustor for both sides,
surveyed a tract on both sides of Dry Fork of Cheat River
above Buffalo Lick.

Surveyed in 1785, on Westfalls Mill Run for Jacob West-
fall, Jr. and Geo. Westfall, Sr., 322 acres.

Surveyed 1785. for Benjamin Wilson, assignee of Henry
Banks, 200 acres East side of Vallev River, adjoining lands
of John Truby. Chain Carriers, Wm. Cassidy, Jacob West-
fall and Cornelius Bogard.

Surveyed, August 1785, for John Jackson, assignee of
Geo. Harness, 148 acres of land in Harrison County, on Black
Water Creek, a branch of Cheat River.

Surveyed August, 1785. by Geo. Harness for Wm. Hay-
mond, a tract of land on Black Water Creek. Chain carriers,
Henry Mace and John Jackson.

Surveyed June, 1785, for Isaac Westfall, assignee of Cor-
nelius Westfall, assignee of Joseph Friend, assignee of An-
drew Woodrow, 152 acres of land in Harrison County on both
sides of left hand fork of Isners Run, adjoining lands of Thos.
Isner.

John Wilson, adjustor, surveyed in 1785, for Henry and
Nicholas Petro, 200 acres adjoining the land they then lived

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 101

on and lands of Daniel \\\st fall and William Wilson, as-
signee of Benjamin Wilson, assignee of Henry Banks.

Surveyed by Edward Jackson, adjuster, 1735, for Wm.
Haymond, Sheriff of Harrison County, lands of Christopher
Strader on Buckhannon River, including mouth of Little
Sand Run.

Surveyed 1785, for Jacob Riffle, 50 acres on waters of
Tygarts Valley River, adjoining lands of John Alexander,
Geo. Harness, surveyor. Chain carriers, James Lackey and
Geo. Wilson.

Surveyed, August 1786, for James Taffee, assignee of
[srael Brown and Robert Chanee, 698 acres on both sides of
river that empties into Tygarts Valley River below Roar-
ing Creek.

Surveyed February 1786, for James Taffee, assignee of
Israel Brown, assignee of Robert Chanee, 875 acres on West
side of the waters that empty into Roaring Creek. Chain
carriers, Jonas Friend and John Westfall.

Surveyed by Daniel Pugh for James Taffee, 1000 acres of
land on King's Creek, a branch of Tygarts Valley River and
adjoining lands of John Wilson, Benjamin Wilson and Henry
Petro.

102 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER VIII.

EARLY ROADS IN RANDOLPH.

"One day through the primeval wood,
A calf walked home, as all calves should;
But made a trail all bent askew,
A crooked trail as all calves do.

"And then the wise bell weather sheep,
Pursued the trail o'er vale and steep
And drew the flock behind him, too
As good bell-weathers always do.

"This forest path became a lane,
That bent and turned and turned again;
This crooked path became a road,
Where many a poor horse with a load,
Toiled on beneath the burning sun,
And traveled some three miles in one.
And thus a century and a half
Trod in the footsteps of that calf."

THE roads of a country are an index to its culture and civi-
lization. The status of any people, historic or contem-
poraneous, may be determined by a knowledge of its facilities
for intercommunication. The civilization of the classic an-
cients reached its limitations in stone highways. The carts,
wheelbarrows, canals and junks are parallelled by the civili-
zation of the Celestial Empire. Civilization today is moving
forward on railroads, steamships and magnetic telegraphs,
while the possibilities of aerial navigation are challenging
man's inventive genius.

Of course good roads were an impossibility in Randolph
for many vears because of the sparsely settled condition of
the county.

In 1774, when Pendleton was still a part of Augusta, a
road was ordered to be surveyed up Seneca and over the Al-
leghany divide in order to connect the infant settlements on
Cheat and Tygarts Valley with the communities east of the
mountains. Whether this road was ever surveyed and im-
proved is uncertain. Road making in that day, however, con-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 103

sisted largely in cutting out the brush and removing the logs
along the proposed highway. A new order for a road over
the same route was ordered by the Court of Pendleton County
in 1787. Regardless of the condition of the trail, this was the
main route traversed by the pioneer in reaching his new abode
West of the mountains.

Among the important early road surveys were the fol-
lowing:

In 1787 a road from the county seat by Wm. Smith's to
Middle Fork.

Same year a road from the county seat to Sandy Creek.
Same year a road from Salt Lick on Leading Creek to
Mud Lick.

In 1788 a road from the Tygarts Valley Road to Crab
Apple Bottom in Highland County.

In 1789 a road from Peter Cassity's to the Clarksburg-
road at the mouth of Leading Creek.

In 1790 a road from Michael Isner's in Tygarts Valley
to the Hardy County line.

Same year a road from Connolly's Lick to the top of the
Alleghanies at the Augusta County line.

In 1792 a road from Beverly to the upper ford of Cheat.
In 1793 a road along Currences Blazes square across the
Valley.

Same year a road from Beverly to the Carpenter settle-
ment on Elk.

In 1795 a road from Beverly to Jacob Westfall's Saw Mill
on Files Creek, so as to intersect the Big Road.

In 1798 a road from Beverly to Wolf's at the foot of Rich
Mountain toward Buckhannon.

The travel in an early day between the valley and set-
tlements to the Westward was probably across the mountains
South of Huttonsville.

In 1814 a road was ordered to be made that would be
passable for pack horse from Beverly to Buckhannon.

The Staunton and Parkersburg Pike was built about
1840. Evidently the Board of Public Works intended to cross
the mountains South of Huttonsville. This 'would have left
Beverlv ten or twelve miles to the north. To induce the

104 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Board to make Beverly a point on the road, several thousand
dollars was subscribed by citizens of Beverly to be used in

the construction of the road.

In 1784 Henry Petro was appointed surveyor of a road
from Eberman's Creek to Jacob Westfall's Mill.

In 1785 Cornelius Bogard was appointed surveyor of a
road from Wilson's Mill on Wilson's Creek to the Rocking-
ham County line. This was practically a continuation of the
Seneca Trail by which most of the settlers had entered the
valley from the East. It crossed over Cheat Mountain at the
Kelly settlement to Cheat River, thence up the river to the
mouth of Tavlor Run, ascending Shaver Mountain bv a divid-
ing ridge just South of Taylor Run, passing down on the
east side of the mountain about one-half mile north of the
Coberlv farm, uniting with the road as presently located at
or near Laurel Fork.

At a court held at Clarksburg, September, 1784, Abram
Kittle, Thos. Phillips, Geo. Westfall, Sr., and Benjamin Horn-
beck were appointed viewers of a road from Jacob Westfall's
Mill to a bridge opposite Geo. Westfall's Mill. Geo. Westfall's
Mill was located, perhaps, in the vicinity of the old Baker
Mill at Beverly, while Jacob Westfall's Mill was probably
located on the Buckey Mill site, about one mile east of Bev-
erly, on the same stream.

At the same term of the court, Ebenezer Petty, Jacob-
Yokum, Peter Cassity, and Jacob Stalnaker, Sr., were ap-
pointed viewers of a road from a bridge opposite Geo. West-
fall's Mill to Darby Conoly's place. This road, perhaps, the
most travelled road in the first half century in the history of
the county, crossed the river about one mile south of Beverly
at what is known as the slaty ford on the Coberly farm, then
skirted the base of the old river terraces up the river, passing
about 100 yards to the west of the old Isaac White house on
the brow of the hill, thence up the river at the base of the
foot-hills, crossing over the blurt near the site of the old
Methodist church a quarter of a mile west of the residence
of J. A. Crawford, thence on up the valley largely on the
west side to Conley Run.

Jonas Eriend was made overseer of a road by the Harri-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 105

son County Court in 1784, from his home near the mouth of
Leading; Creek to Eberman's Creek, now Chenoweth's Creek.

lm; A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER IX.

ANNALS OF EDUCATION.

THE education of the youth of Randolph, in the first decade
of its history, because of the sparsely settled condition of
the country, must have been limited to the home and fireside.
While the achievement that mostly concerned the pioneer was
the conversion of the wilderness into homes and farms, yet a
people with the courage and intelligence to take advantage of
the opportunities afforded by a frontier community with the
laudable ambition to improve their condition, would not long
neglect the education of their children. Accordingly, private
schools were early established by two or more families uniting
and employing a teacher. The next step in the way of ele-
mentary education was in the direction of subscription schools,
open to all who were able to pay the tuition fees. Often the
teacher of these schools was a roving individual, whose quali-
fications were limited to his ability to teach the most rudi-
mentary branches, such as reading writing and arithmetic
and his physical ability to maintain discipline. As a rule
these teachers received a meagre salary and boarded around
with the patrons of the school. However, not a few of the
early teachers of Randolph were men of classical scholarship,
and the impress and influence of their teaching is not only
manifest today, but will extend to future generations. Such
men were James H. Logan, Dr. Squire Bosworth, Rev.
Thomas and Jacob I. Hill.

Education was a subject the early lawmakers of Virginia
considered worthy of their consideration and Randolph
Academy was established by act of the Virginia assembly of
December 1, 1787. In the following November, among the
additional trustees appointed, were the following from Ran-
dolph County : John Haddan, Abraham Claypoole, James
Westfall, and Henry Fink. The trustees selected Clarksburg
as the most eligible location for the proposed institution of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 107

learning. A copy of the act founding Randolph Academy is
appended :

WHEREAS, The inhabitants of the counties of Harri-
son, Monongalia, Randolph and Ohio, are from their remote
stiuation, deprived of the advantages arising from the estab-
lishment of public seminaries within the state; and it is just
and reasonable that the one-sixth of the fees of the surveyors
of the said counties, winch are now applied toward the sup-
port of the William and Mary College, should be applied to
the establishment of a public seminary within one of the
said counties.

BE IT THEREFORE EXACTED BY THE GEN-
ERAL ASSEMBLY, That his excellency Edmund Randolph,
Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, Joseph Prentiss, James
Wood, George Mason, George Nicholas, John Harvey, Tho-
mas Mathews, William Ronald, Henry Banks, William Mc-
Lean-, John Evans, William John. Francis Worman, John
Pearce Duvall, George Jackson, Benjamin Wilson, Nicholas
Carpenter, John Powers, Archibald Woods. Moses Chapline,
Ebenezer Zane, David Chambers. John Wilson, Jacob West-
fall, junior, Robert Maxwell and John Jackson, junior, gentle-
men, shall be and they are hereby constituted a body politic
and corporate, to be known by the name of "The trustees of
the Randolph Academy,'* and by that name shall have per-
petual succession and a common seal.

The said trustees shall hold their first session in Morgan-
town in Monongalia County, on the second Monday in May
next; they shall then or as soon after as conveniently may be,
fix upon some healthy and convenient place within one of the
counties of Harrison, Monongalia, Randolph, or Ohio, for the
purpose of erecting thereon the necessary buildings for the
said academy.

After defining the powers and duties of the trustees of the
academy the act concludes in the following sections, indicat-
ing the source from which the financial support of the institu-
tion should come :

The surveyors of the said counties of Monongalia, Har-
rison, Randolph, and Ohio, shall not be accountable to the

108 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

president and masters of William and Alary College, for any
part of the fees which shall accrue to them after the first day
of January, one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight :
And the bond as given by them for the yearly payment of
one-sixth of their fees to the president and masters of the
said college, shall be and are hereby declared to be null and
void, so far as relates to the fees which shall become due to
them after the said first day of January, in the year last men-
tioned.

Each of the surveyors of the said counties shall, within
one month after he shall be required by the board of trustees,
give bond with sufficient security in a reasonable sum, for
the yearly payment of one-sixth part of the fees which shall
become due to him after the said first day of January, to the
said trustees; and in case any one of the said surveyors shall
fail or refuse to give such bond and security he shall forfeit
and pay to the said trustees the sum of one hundred pounds, to
be recovered by motion in the court of the county of such
surveyor, upon giving him ten days previous notice of such
motion : and each of the said surveyors shall annually forfeit
and pay the like sum to the said trustees, to be recovered in
the same manner, until he shall give such bond and security.

Free School System.

In order to understand the causes that resulted in the
foundation of the free school system, it is necessary to give
a cursory review of the origin and progress of popular educa-
tion in the mother state. Thomas Jefferson, in 1779, pre-
pared and had submitted to the Virginia Assembly a bill
"For the Better Diffusion of Knowledge." This was the first
movement to, establish a system of Free Schools in Virginia.
The object of Air. Jefferson's Free School bill, in conjunction
with his other bills for religious freedom and the abolition of
entails and the rights of primogeniture, was to form "a sys-
tem by which every fiber would be eradicated of ancient or
future aristocracy, and a foundation laid for a government
truly republican."

Mr. Jefferson's Free School bill was not even considered

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 109

by the General Assembly, but it greatly influenced public
sentiment and laid the foundation for all subsequent legisla-
tion on public education in Virginia. It proposed a system
embracing three classes of schools, namely :

1. Elementary schools, free to all and supported by pub-
lic expense.

2. General schools, academies and colleges, to be main-
tained partly by public expense, and partly by tuition fees.

3. A State University, at the head of the system.

In his "Notes on Virginia" Mr. Jefferson gives the fol-
lowing particulars of the system :

"The bill proposes to lay off every county into small dis-
tricts of five or six miles square, called hundreds, and each
of them to establish a school for teaching reading, writing and
arithmetic. The teacher to be supported by the hundred and
every person in it entitled to send his children three years
gratis, and as much longer as he pleases, paying for it. These
schools to be under a visitor, who is annually to choose a boy
of best genius in the school, of those whose parents are too
poor to give them further education, and to send him forward
to one of the grammar schools, of which twenty are pro-
posed to be erected in different parts of the country, for teach-
ing Greek, Latin, geography and the higher branches of num-
erical arithmetic. Of the boys thus sent in one year, trial is
to be made at the grammar schoods one or two years, and
the best genius of the whole selected, and continued six years,
and the residue dismissed. By this means twenty of the best
geniuses will be annually instructed at public expense, so iar
as the grammar schools."

"At the end of six years' instruction, one-half are to be
discontinued, from among whom the grammar schools are to
be supplied with future masters, and the other half who are
to be chosen for the superiority of their parts and disposi-
tions, are to be sent and continued three years in the study
of such services, as they may choose at William and Alary
College, the plan of which is to be enlarged, as will hereafter
be explained, and extended to all the useful sciences."

^ H: + * * >5= & >i< =i- :!; ♦

The general objects of the law are to provide an educa-

110 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

tion adapted to the years, to the capacity, and the condition
of every one, and directed to their freedom and happiness."

In 1796, December 22, an act to establish public schools
was passed which embodied the provision of Air. Jefferson's
bill for elementary schools, being the first grade of the system.

This act contained the general plan of an efficient free
school system. The entire management of the proposed sys-
tem was placed in the hands of three comity officers, styled
aldermen, who were empowered to divide the county into
school districts, employ teachers, determine the amount of
money necessary to build school houses, to pay teachers' salar-
ies and to make a levy upon the property of the inhabitants of
each county for this purpose. A fatal proviso, however, was
added to the act: "That the court of each county, at which
a majority of the acting magistrates thereof shall be present,
shall first determine the year in which the first election of ald-
ermen shall be made, and until they so determine no such
election shall be made." Concerning the failure of his law,
Mr. Jefferson said: 'The justices, being generally of the more
wealthy class, were unwilling to incur the burden, so that it
was not suffered to commence in a single county." Although
ths law was never repealed, there is no record showing that
this act was ever put in operation.

The Literary Fund.

The opportunity was again presented for the agitation of
the public school question in 1810 when the Literary Fund
was created.

"It was enacted on the 2d of February, 1810, that all
escheats, confiscations, fines, penalties and forfeitures, and all
rights in personal property accruing to the Commonwealth,
as directed, showing no rightful proprietor, shall be appro-
priated to the encouragement of learning ; and the auditor was
directed to open an account to be designated as the Literary
Fund."

The following year an act was passed protesting against
anv other application of the revenues of this fund by any
other General Assembly, to any other object than the educa-
tion of the poor. This was the beginning of what was called

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 111

the "Pauper System" which continued in force up to 1861 and
was in operation in every county except those in which a free
school system had been established and in such counties their
just quota of the Literary Fund went into the county school
fund.

Various amendments were made to the Literary Fund
bill from time to time, however, under laws most friendly to
free schools, it required the endorsement of two-thirds of the
legal voters of the county, before a single public school be
established. This, coupled with the property qualification of
voters, gave a vast advantage to the enemies of public edu-
cation.

The constitution, which was adopted by the state of
West Virginia in 1861, made provision "for a thorough and
efficient system of free schools." The legislature on the 10th
day of December, 1863, passed an act, establishing our pre-
sent system of free schools. However, some slight amend-
ments were made under the new constitution adopted in 1873.

School Commissioners for Randolph County.

At a session of the County Court, held on the 27th day
of October, 1856, by Joseph Hart, Thos. B. Scott, and Jacob
Vanscoy as members of the court, the following School
Commissioners were appointed for Randolph County :

District No. 1— John W. Moore.

District No. 2 — Harmon Snyder.

District No. 3— John M. Crouch.

District No. 4 — E. B. Bosworth.

District No. 5— Wm. P. Brady.

District No. 6 — Squire Bosworth.

District No. 7 — John I. Chenoweth.

District No. 8 — Levy Moore.

District No. 9— Wm. M. Phares.

District No. 10 — Washington Taylor.

District No. 11 — Samuel Dinkle.

District No. 12— Cyrus Kittle.

District No. 13 — Alexander Grim.

District No. 14 — Alph Taylor.

District No. 15— Jesse M. Roy.

112

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

School Statistics of Randolph County for 1866.

Amount of School Fund $2,157.00

School Houses in 1865 2

School Houses in 1866 12

Average value of School House, 1866 $140.00

Enumeration 1736

Enrollment 761

Daily Attendance 615

Teachers — Male 21

Teachers — Female 9

Average Salary — Men $24.00

Average Salary — Female $15.00

Average length of term 2.8 months

Statistics 1910.

. a;

—

'— «

•~

s t»

O xJ

- ~

+j c

+j ~

•£-

?\ "C

= -

= i.

Names of Magisterial and
Independent Districts

o _,

m £

— X
+J

'- -
~ C

'r- <Xi

> 3

O d

o H

1 Amou
lding F

1 Amou
chers'

so •-

C3 «

-; c

. ^^

*J d

-m o>

2 'S

o c£

£'-

643 46
1365 .

15 I 666

20 716

Beverly

Dry Fork

Huttonsville

Leadsville

Mingo ! 14 361

Middle Fork 25 I 627

New Interest 13 425

Roaring Creek 16 516

Valley Bend 8 ] 253

Elkins Independent I 33 15S4

$ 2,898.32
5,940.81
1,951.75
2,053.19
2,599.33
2,801.04
1.113.22
3,987.92
1,728.12
65,572.31

Total I 205 | 7143 I 128

? 7,375.74
13,316.35
4,965.11
5,901.38
4,709.83
7,039.81
3,648.35
4,805.57
2,335.23
20,831.73

$90,646.01 $74,929.20

Public Schools of Randolph in 1882.

A. S. Bosworth was County Superintendent that year and
from his report we learn the -following facts : There was an
enrollment of 1758 pupils in the county; there was but one
graded school in the county and this was at Beverly : there
were 24 log buildings and 34 frame buildings for school pur-
poses in the county : the average value of school buildings was
S211. Fifty-three teachers were licensed that year with grades

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 113

as follows: 20 first srrade, 25 second Grade, and 8 third "rade.

O <J o

The following teachers were licensed: H. L. Stalnaker, G. W.
Cunningham, C. S. Moore, Teresa Cain, A. M. Bradley, D.
B. Curtis, Anna McLean, Maud Chenoweth, Nannie Daniels,
John L. Bosworth, James B. Litle, B. W. Taylor, P. C. Web-
ley, Lee Marstiller, J. B. Canheld, \\r. Marstiller, Agnes Mar-
stiller, Angelia Scott, Alice Scott, F. M. Canheld, C. M. Mar-
stiller, M. A. Durkin, Ella Wilmoth, F. J. Triplett, Sylvester
Wilmoth, Arnold Wilmoth, L. B. Triplett, D. E. Coberly,

E. R. Skidmore, D. A. Denton, M. E. Lawson, Lemuel C.
Rice, Delpha Marstiller, Celia Wilmoth, Flora Channel, B.
B. Herron, T. L. Daniels, Sheffey Taylor, Thomas Madden,
Mary King, W. P. Madden, John F Ward, F. H. Kittle, John
Hutton, Martin Madden, Mollie L. Thomas, Henry Simmons,
AW O. Grim, 11. B. Morgan, J. H. Wamsley, J. L. Wamsley.

Superintendents of Schools.

David Goff 1853 C. S. Moore 1888

W. F. Corley 1865 D. A. Hamrick ...1890

S. B. Hart 1867 S. L. Hogan 1892

Jacob I. Hill 1869 W. T. Woodyard 1895

J. W. Price 1872 A. J. Crickar'd..... 1899

A. F. Wilmoth... .....1875 E. A. Poe. 1903

A. S. Bosworth.... 1882 W. J. Long.. 1906

B. W, Taylor .....1884 Troy Wilmoth 1915

F. P. Madden 1886

The Davis and Elkins College.

The founding of the Davis and Elkins College marked a
new era in the educational history of Randolph. The first
session opened in 1904 and has steadily grown in power, pat-
ronage and usefulness. Until 1908, the college was under
Lexington and Winchester Presbyteries. The Presbyterian
church of the State is now united in its support. The College
received an endowment of $100,000 under the will of the late
Senator Davis. The College is open to both sexes and com-
pares favorably with the best institutions of learning in this
country.

114 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER X.

CIVIL WAR PERIOD.

N December 20, 1860, South Carolina adopted an ordi-
nance of secession declaring that the Union existing be-
tween South Carolina and the other States was dissolved.
The spirit of secession spread with great rapidity, and by the
first of February, 1861, five other states — Mississippi, Florida,
Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana — all had taken similar action.
On February 4, 1861, delegates from six of the seceded states
met at Montgomery, Alabama, and formed a new government
called the Confederate States of America. February 8th, the
same year, Jefferson Davis was elected President, and Alex-
ander Stevens, Vice-President. Virginia was not only the old-
est but, in many respects, the most influential among the
slave holding States. She was soon to become the principal
theatre in which the great Civil War drama was to be en-
acted. The public mind at this time was much agitated and
the impending crisis cast its shadows before. Under these
circumstances Governor Fletcher called the General Assembly
in extra session on Monday, January 7, 1861, and an act was
passed providing for a State Convention and the election of
delegates thereto. The object of this convention was to de-
termine the position Virginia should take in regard to seces-
sion. The election was held February 4, 1861, and the con-
vention was to be held February 13th following. John X.
Hughes was elected to represent Randolph County in that
convention. The public mind was further inflamed by the
bombardment of Fort Sumpter by the forces of South Caro-
lina on April 13, 1861. On April 17, 1861, this convention
passed an ordinance of secession by a vote of yeas 88 and
nays 55.

The Civil War was precipitated in Western Virginia by
an effort on the part of Virginia, aided by the other seceding
states, to prevent a division of the state. In the counties west

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 115

of the Alleghanies the preponderance of sentiment was in
favor of maintaining the Union. However, in some counties,
as Randolph, secession sympathizers were in the majority.
Robert E. Lee was appointed Commander in Chief of the
military and naval forces of Virginia, April 23, 1861. He at
once began the organization in the counties west of the Al-
leghanies of an army of volunteers.

On May 4, 1861, Colonel A. Porterfield was ordered to
Grafton by General Lee to take charge of the volunteer troops
of that section. About the middle of May, 1861, General Lee
ordered Colonel Heck to transport 1,000 muskets from Staun-
ton to Beverly for the use of volunteer companies. General
Lee being disappointed in the enlistment of volunteers, sent
General Garnett across the mountains with troops from Vir-
ginia, Georgia and Tennessee. While the Confederacy was
organizing an army in Northwestern Virginia, the general
government was not idle. Two thousand stands of arms were
shipped to the Northwestern Panhandle on May 7, 1861.
Colonel Benjamin F. Kelley organized a force of Federal
volunteers at Wheeling, May 26, 1861, and was commanded
to obey the orders of General McLellan, who was then at
Cincinnati. The next day Colonel Kelley was ordered to
Grafton to engage Colonel Porterfield. On reaching Grafton
Colonel Kelley learned that Colonel Porterfield had abandon-
ed Grafton for Philippi. Colonel Kelley with a much superior
force surprised and routed Colonel Porterfield at Philippi on
the morning of June 3, 1861. Colonel Porterfield retreated to
Huttonsville where he met and was relieved of his command
by General Garnett, who with the combined forces of Porter-
field and his own men commanded an army of about 6,000
soldiers. Against this force General McLellan was approach-
ing with an army of 20,000 men. General Garnett sent Col-
onel Pegram to fortify the western base of Rich Mountain
with 1,300 men. General Garnett marched with the main
body of his army of between 4,500 and 5,000 to the northern
base of Laurel Hill near Belington. General Morris was
ordered to advance from Philippi and make a demonstration
as though the principal attack was to be made on the Con-
federate forces at Laurel Hill, while McLellan, designed to

116 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

route Pegram's forces at Rich Mountain and cut off Garnett's
retreat at Beverly.

On June 22, 1861, General McLellan crossed the Ohio
River at Parkersburg. By way of the B. & O. Railroad he
reached Grafton next day. He marched to Buckhannon by
way of Clarksburg and Weston, leaving fortified posts at
Webster, Grafton, Clarksburg and Parkersburg. He reached
Buckhannon, July 2, 1861. Under date of July 5, 1861, Buck-
hannon, Ya., General McLellan informed Colonel E. D. Town-
send, Washington, D. C. :

"I expect to find the enemy in position on Rich Moun-
tain, just this side of Beverly. I shall, if possible, turn the
position to the south, and thus occupy the Beverly road in
the rear. Assure the General that no prospects of brilliant
victory shall induce me to depart from my intention of gain-
ing success by maneuvering rather than by fighting. I will
not throw these men of mine in the teeth of artillery and in-
trenchments, if possible to avoid it. From all that I can
learn the enemy is still uncertain as to where the main at-
tack is to be made, and is committing the error of dividing
his army in the face of superior forces."

Colonel Pegram, the Confederate commander, had a
picket post at Middle Fork Bridge to keep watch on the Fed-
eral advance. A scouting party from McLellan's army ran
into these pickets on July 6th, and were repulsed with one
killed and five wounded. This was the first armed conflict
between the Federals and Confederates in Randolph County.
General McLellan in his report to the Federal Government
says that seven Confederates were killed. This statement was
erroneous as the Confederates had three wounded and none
killed. On July 7, General R. L. McCook drove the Confed-
erates from Middle Fork bridge. General McLellan occupied
the bridge next day, July 8th, and on the evening of July 9th.
moved to the Hillery farm on Roaring Creek, within two miles
of Pegram's fortifications at the base of Rich Mountain. On
July 10, 1861, the Confederates under Colonel Pegram, and
the Federals under General McLellan were facing each other
at the western base of Rich Mountain. Simultaneously Gen-
eral Morris was feigning preparations for an attack on the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 117

forces of General Garnett at the northern hase of Laurel
Hill, acting" under orders from General McLellan to withhold
his attack until he was in a position to intercept General
Garnett's retreat at Beverly. Colonel Scott was encamped at
Beverly on the night of July 10th, on his way from Staunton
to Laurel Hill to reinforce General Garnett. It was apparent
that a battle was impending. General McLellan, conscious
of his superior force and equipment, was confident of victory.
In his report to Colonel Townsend from Buckhannon, July
6th, he said: "By the 8th or 9th, at least, I expect to occupy
Beverly, fighting a battle in the meanwhile. I propose to
drive the enemy over the mountain toward Staunton. Gen-
eral Garnett was discouraged by the prospect of meeting a
force much larger than his own, as well as disappointed by
the meager number of volunteers and the lack of support and
co-operation on the part of the people. In his report of June
25th, from Laurel Hill, to the Confederate government at
Richmond, Ya., among other things he said: "I have been,
so far, wholly unable to get anything like accurate informa-
tion as to the numbers, movements, or intentions of the enemy
and begin to believe it almost an impossible thing. The Union
men are greatly in the ascendency here and are much more
zealous and active in their cause than the secessionists. The
enemy are kept fully advised of our movements, even to the
strength of our scouts and pickets, by the country people,
while we are compelled to grope in the dark as much as if we
were invading a foreign and hostile country." Instead of large
additions to his forces as he expected, only eight men had
joined his army prior to July 1st, and only fifteen had joined
Colonel Heck's camp to that date. That General Garnett
realized his inability to cope with the superior forces of
the Union army was evidenced by his report from Laurel
Hill dated July 6, 1861, in which he said: "I do not sup-
pose this force can ever obtain a strength relative to that of
the enemy, which would warrant us in giving- him battle. The
only certain result we can calculate upon is that our presence
here will occupy a considerable force of the enemy, and re-
lieve other points of the state where they might be employed
against us." Colonel Pegram seemed to be the only officer

US A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

on either side who had no adequate idea of the comparative
strength of the opposing armies. The day before the Rich
Mountain battle he asked permission of General Garnett to
attack McLellan's army, intimating his belief that his forces
were adequate for such an engagement. General Garnett
very wisely refused him permission.

Colonel Pegram was under the impression that the Fed-
eral army wotdd endeavor to attack him from the rear by
sending a detachment across the mountain by an abandoned
road to the north of the pike and which entered that road one
and one-half miles west of Beverly. Colonel Pegram accord-
ingly sent a message to Colonel Scott on the morning of
July 11th, stating: "I think it almost certain that the enemy
are working their way around my right flank to come into
the turnpike one and one-half miles this side of Beverly."
This message reached Colonel Scott when his regiment had
reached a point four miles north of Beverly. Colonel Scott
immediately retraced his march to Beverly and thence to the
position where the old road intersects the turnpike at the
eastern base of Rich Mountain. While Colonel Pegram was
industriously trying to circumvent the opposing forces from
reaching his rear from the north, General Rosencranse was
without molestation moving approximately 2,000 men to Peg-
ram's rear by way of a circuitous route through the woods a
mile or more to the south of the Pike, being piloted by David
B. Hart, son of Joseph Hart, who resided on the crest of the
mountain, where the pike crosses, a mile and a half to the
rear of Pegram's camp. Young Hart visited McLellan's
camp about 10 o'clock on July 10th, and volunteered his ser-
vices in piloting the Federal troop to his father's farm on
the top of the mountain from which point Pegram's forces
could be attacked from the rear. Generals McLellan and
Rosencranse discussed the plan and concluded to accept Hart's
services. Rosencranse was given a detachment of 1917 men,
and on the morning of July 11th, at 5 o'clock with rations
for one day, they started to execute the movement. Rosen-
cranse says: "The column formed and moved forward in the
following order and strength :

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 119

Eighth Indiana, under Benton 242 strong

Tenth Indiana, under Manson 425

Thirteenth Indiana, under Sullivan.... 650

Nineteenth Ohio, under Beatty 525

Total infantry 1,842

Burdsal's cavalry 75

Aggregate 1,917

"Colonel Lander, accompanied by the guide, led the way
through a pathless forest, over rocks and ravines, keeping far
down on the south eastern declivities of the mountain spurs,
and using no ax, to avoid discovery by the enemy, whom we
supposed would be on the alert, by reason of the appearance
of unusual stir in our camp, and the lateness of the hour. A
rain set in about 6 A. M. and lasted until about 11 o'clock
A. M. with intermissions, during which the column pushed
cautiously and steadily forward, and arrived at last and halt-
ed in rear of the crest on the top of Rich Mountain. Hungry
and weary with an eight hours' march over a most unkindly
road, they laid down to rest, while Colonel Lander and the
General examined the country. It was found that the guide
was too much scared to be with us longer, and we had an-
other valley to cross, another hill to climb, another descent
beyond that to make, before we could reach the Beverly road
at the top of the mountain. On this road we started at 2
o'clock, and reached the top of the mountain after the loss of
an hour's time by mistake in the direction.

"Shortly after passing over the crest of the hill, the head
of the column ordered to be covered by a company deployed
as skirmishers, was fired on by the enemy's pickets, killing
Sergeant James A. Taggart and dangerously wounding Cap-
tain Christopher Miller, of the Tenth.

"The column then advanced through dense brushwood,
emerging into rather more open brushwood and trees, when
the rebels opened a fire of both musketry and 6-pounders,
firing some case shot and a few shells. *

"We formed about three o'clock under cover of our
skirmishers, guarding- well against a flank attack from the
direction of the rebels' position, and after a brisk fire, which
threw the rebels into confusion, carried their position by a

120 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

charge, driving them from behind some log breastworks, and
pursued them into the thickets on the mountain. We cap-
tured twenty-one prisoners, two brass 6-pounders. fifty stand
of arms, and some corn and provisions. Our loss was 12
killed and 49 wounded.

"The rebels had some 20 wounded on the held. The
number of the killed we could not ascertain, but subsequently
the number of burials reported to this date is 135 — many
found scattered over the mountain. Our troops, informed
that there were one or two regiments of rebels toward Bev-
erly, and finding the hour late, bivouacked on their arms
amid a eld. drenching rain, to await daylight, when they
moved forward on the enemy's intrenched position, which
was found abandoned by all except 63 men. who were taken
pri- rs. We took possession ">rass 6-pounders. four

caiss ns, and one hundred r - ammunition, tv gs and

one barrel powder. 19.000 buck and ball catridges. two standi
rs, and a larcre lot of equipment and clothing, consist-
ing - 4 tent-. 427 airs pants. 124 axes. 98 pick-. 134 spades
and shovels, all their train, consisting '29 \va. ns, 75 1 rses,
4 mules, and 60 pairs harne —

"The enemy finding their ; sition turned, abandoned in-
trenchments. which, taken by the front, would have c 51 us
a thousand lives, and dispersed through the mountains, some
attemptii _ - tpe by the way of Laurel Hill and others

aim g r Huttonsville."

Rosencranse and his army reached the mountain crc-'
at the lone tree. This p is a little more than a mile fr

Hart's house, where the battle was fought. The valley
cross and the hills to climb were comparatively small de-
pressi i - and elevations, as the cr si i the mountain fr
the lone tree to Hart's house is a de-cent of nearly 600 feet.
The Confederate pickets were stationed about a half mile
soutl rt's 1 use, and upon approach of Federal for

fired and fell back, joining the Confederate detachment at
the Hart farm.

The Confederates were informed of the flank movement

ab by a mess e_ r -ent from Rosencranse to Mc-

Lellan. This ssenger 1 5t his ay and was captured by the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 121

Confederates. Acting upon this information Pegram sent
350 men and one 6-pound cannon to the top of the mountain.
The Confederates opened fire on the first approach of the
Federals, although the Federals outnumbered the Confed-
erates, about six to one, the battle lasted three hours, and was
stubbornly contested. Hart's house was occupied by the Con-
federates, who fired from the windows and from the chinks
between the logs. The Federals finally drove them out, kill-
ing one Confederate who was settling himself in a far corner
of an upstairs room. Many dead and wounded were carried
into the house, and blood stains are still visible on the floors
and stairways, having penetrated the wood beyond the effect
of the scouring brush.

Colonel Pegram's report is much more complete than
Rosencranse's, and is here appended. It was written while he
was a prisoner at the residence of Johathan Arnold in Beverly.
He say- :

"Not knowing where a communication will find General
Garnett. I submit the following report of the fight at Rich
Mountain. The battlefield was immediately around the house
of one Hart, situated at the highest point of the turnpike over
the mountain, and two miles in the rear of my main line of
trendies, the latter being at the foot of the western slope of
the mountain. The intricacies of the surrounding country
seemed scarcely to demand the placing of any force at Hart's,
yet I had that morning placed Captain DeLagnel there with
310 men and one piece of artillery, with instructions to de-
fend it to the last extremity against whatever force might be
brought to the attack by the enemv, but also to give me
timely notice of his need for reinforcements. These orders had
not been given two hours before General Rosencranse. who
had been conducted up a distant ridge on my left flank and
then along the top of the mountain by a man. attacked the
small handful of troops under Captain DeLagnel. with 3,000
men. When, from my camp, I heard the firing becoming
verv rapid, without waiting to hear from Captain DeLagnel,
I ordered up reinforcements, and hurried on myself to the
scene of action. When I arrived the piece of artillery was
entirelv unmanned. Captain DeLagnel having been severely

122 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

wounded, after which his men had left their piece. The lim-
ber and caisson were no longer visible the horse having run
away with them down the mountain, in doing which they
met and upset the second piece of artillery, which had been
ordered up to their assistance. Seeing the infantry deserting
the slight breatsworks hastily thrown up that morning by
Captain DeLagnel. I used all personal exertion to make them
stand to their work until T saw that the place was hopelessly
lost. On my way back to r y camp I found the reinforcing
force under command of Captain Anderson, of the artillery,
in great confusion, they having tired upon their retreating
comrades, i hurried on to camp and ordered the remaining
companies of my own regiment in camp to join them. This
left my right front and right Hank entirely unmanned. I
then went back up the mountain where I found the whole
force drawn up in line in ambuscade near the road, under
Major Xat Tyler. I called their attention and said a few en-
couraging words to the men, asking them if they would fol-
low their officers to the attack, to which they responded by a
cheer. I was here interrupted by Captain Anderson, who said
to me, 'Colonel Pegram, these men are completely demoraliz-
ed, and will need you to lead them.'

"I took my place at the head of the column, which 1 march-
ed in single file through laurel thickets and other almost im-
passable brushwood up a ridge to the top of the mountain.
This placed me about one-fourth of a mile to the right Hank
of the enemy, and which was exactly the point I had been mak-
ing for. I had just gotten all the men up together and was
about making my dispositions for the attack when Major
Tvler came up and reported that during the march up the
ridge one of the men in hi- fright had turned around and shot
the first sergeant of one of the rear companies, which had
caused nearly the whole of the company to run to the rear.
He then said that the men were so intensely demoralized that
he considered it madness to attempt to do anything with them
by leading them on to the attack. A mere glance at the
frightened countenances around me convinced me that this
distressing news was but to,, true, and it was confirmed la-
the opinion of three or four company commanders around me.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 123

They all agreed with me that there was nothing left to do but
to send the command under Major Tyler to effect a junction
with either General Garnett at Laurel Hill, or Colonel Wil-
liam C. Scott, who was supposed to be with his regiment near
Beverly. It was now half past six in the evening, when I re-
traced my steps with much difficulty back to the camp, losing
myself frequently on the way, and arriving there after 11
o'clock at night. I immediately assembled a council of war,
composed of the held officers and company commanders re-
maining, when it was unanimously agreed that, after spiking
the two remaining pieces of artillery, we should attempt to
join General Garnett by a march through the mountains to
our right. This act was imperative, not only from our re-
duced numbers, now being about 600, and our being placed
between two large attacking armies, but also because at
least three-fourths of my command had no rations left ; the
other one-fourth not having flour enough for one meal. Hav-
ing left directions for Sergeant Walker, and giving directions
to Assistant Surgeon Taylor to take charge of the sick and
wounded in camp, and to show a white flag at daylight, I
called the companies together and started at one o'clock A. M.,
without a guide, to make my way, if possible, over the moun-
tains, where there was not the sign of a path, toward General
Garnett's camp. As I remained in camp to see the last com-
pany in column, by the time I reached the head of the column,
which was nearly a mile long, Captain Lilly's company had
disappeared and has not since been heard from.

'"The difficulties attending my march it would be im-
possible to exaggerate. We arrived at Tygart's Valley River
at 7 P. M., having made the distance of twelve miles in about
eighteen hours. Here we were met by several country people,
who appeared to be our friends, and who informed us that at
Leadsville Church, distant three miles, there was a small
camp, composed of a portion of Garnett's command. Leaving
Colonel Heck with instructions to bring the command for-
ward rapidly, I hired a horse and proceeded forward until in
sight of Leadsville Church, when I stopped at a farmhouse
where were assembled a dozen men and women. Thev in-
formed me that General Garnett had retreated that afternoon

124 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

up the Leading Creek mad. into Tucker County, and that he
was being pursued by three thousand of the enemy, who had
come from the direction of Laurel Hill as far as Leadsville
Lhurc" when they turned up the Leading Creek road in pur-
suit, t'his, of course, rendered all chance of joining General
Garnett, or escaping in that direction, utterly impossible.
Hurrying hack to my command, I found them in much con-
fusion, firing random shots in the dark, under the impression
that the enemy were surrounding them. Reforming them, I
hurried back to the point where we first struck the river, and
persuaded a few of the country people to cook all the pro-
visions they had. hoping that it might go a little way toward
satisfying the hunger of m\ almost famishing men.

"'I now found, on examining the nun of the house, that
there was, if any. only one possible means of escape, and that
by a road which, passing within three miles of the enem; -
camp at Beverly, led over precipitous mountains into Pendle-
ton County. Along this road there were rep ed to nu-
to be but a few miserable habitations, where it would be
terly impossibh en a company of men to get food; and
n< w 11 "'clock P. M., it would be necessary to leave
at once, without allowing them to mouthful where they
were. I called a council of war, when it was ed aim
unanimously (only two members voting in the negati
that there was lefl to us nothing but the sad d< ination
of surrendering ourselves prisoners of war to the enemj
Beverly. I was perfectly convinced thai an attempt on oui
pan t< pe would sacrifice by starvati n a large number of
the lives i if the c< >mmand."

ilonel Pegram sent a note to the commanding offi
■ t" the United States forces at Beverly, and dispatched it
ul 12 o'clock on the night >^i July 12th. The messenj
urned next morning with Colonel Key. one of General Mc-
Lellan's staff officers, ^fter a conference between Colonels
Pegram and Key, the former's officers and men. numbering
555 marched to Beverly and -tacked their arm-. They w
kept at Beverly until July 17th. when all but Colonel Pegram
were released on parole, Pegram being refused his parole be-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 125

cause he had not resigned as an officer in the Unite/ States
Army.

Lieutenant Charles W. Statham, in his report, gives in-
teresting additional details of the battle of Rich Mountain.
He says :

"I have to report that on the 11th instant, by your order,
1 moved with one gun and a detachment of twenty-one men
to occupy this pass in Rich Mountain. We took our position
about 1 o'clock P. M. In less than two hours the enemy made
their appearance in large column, six regiments strong, im-
mediately on the hill south of the pass. We reversed our
gun, which was pointed, down the pass, and prepared to re-
ceive the enemy in the direction in which he was approaching.
In a few minutes the sharpshooters of the enemy commenced
a fire upon us from behind trees and rocks at a distance rang-
ing from two to three hundred yards, the body of the enemy
being still farther. We opened upon the main body with
spherical shot, which 1 cut at first one second and a quarter,
and could distinctly see them burst in their midst. 1 knew
we did good execution, as I could distinctly hear their officers
give vehement commands to close up ranks. After firing this
way some little time at the rate of near four shots per minute
we forced the enemy to retire.

In about twenty minutes the enemy reappeared in a
column of three regiments, advanced briskly upon us. when
we moved our gun a little higher up the opposite hill and
again opened upon them, and with our spherical shot cut as
low as one second down to three-quarters. After firing
rapidly for some time the enemy again beat a hasty retreat.
when my men, including the infantry not yet in action, rent
the air with their shouts, confidently believing that we had
gained the day. But in a short time the enemy again formed
and renewed the attack with more swiftness than before, and
soon played havoc with our horses. These, with the caisson,
ran down the mountain with drivers and all, leaving us with
only the small amount of ammunition in our limber-box. We
then limbered and moved our gun near a small log stable, be-
hind which we placed our horses for protection. By this time
our men were falling fast. Sergeant Turner, of the gun, had

126 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

both legs broken and shot through the body : Mays had his
left arm splintered with a musket ball ; Isaiah Ryder shot
through the head, and died instantly ; John A. Taylor had his
thigh broken; E. H. Kersey, shot in the ankle; Lewis Going,
wounded in the arm; William W. Stewart, badly wounded in
the head and breast. This left me but few to man the gun.
Captain DeLagnel, who was the commander of the post,
having his horse shot under him and seeing our crippled con-
dition, gallantly came and volunteered his valuable aid, and
helped load and fire three or four times, when he was shot
in the side, and I think, in the hand. He then ordered us to
make our escape, if we could, but the enemy was too close,
and his fire too severe, to admit of safe retreat to many of us.
I was shot through the right hand and am now a prisoner."

Colonel W. Scott with the 44th Virginia Infantry was
stationed at the western base of Rich Mountain, during the
battle on Rich Mountain. Scott heard the muskets and ar-
tillery, but supposed that the fighting was at the fort six
miles distant. Scott obeyed orders and remained guarding
the old road at its junction with the pike. However, becom-
ing suspicious and impatient, Scott sent Jno. X. Hughes, a
lawyer who lived in Beverly, to Pegram's headquarters for
information. Hughes never returned. "When at the turn of
the road, a few hundred yards east of Hart's house, he was
fired on by mistake by the Confederates and killed. Hughes
wras a brilliant lawyer, but was addicted to drink, and it has
been charged that he was intoxicated when he undertook to
discharge this dangerous service. Colonel Scott denies that
Hughes was drinking the day he lost his life.

Lieutenant James Cochrane, of the Churchville Cavalry,
in a report to Colonel Scott, of the exciting and interesting
events in which he participated on the day of the Rich Moun-
tain fight, says :

"I was sent out with a squad of six men by Captain De-
Lagnel, who commanded our forces engaged in the fight, to
bring up some cavalry that he had fired on through mistake.
In going down the turnpike I unexpectedly met witli youi
regiment drawn up in the road about a mile and a half from
Beverlv. I told you vour regiment was needed at the battle

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 127

which was then going on ; that the enemy to the number of
four or five thousand had gotten around Colonel Pegram's
left flank, and were engaged with a few hundred of our men
about a mile and a half in the rear of Colonel Pegram's camp;
that the enemy were on the left, and our men in and on the
right of the turnpike as you would approach the camp ; that
our men had but one piece of artillery. You asked me if I
would go with you and act as guide. I consented. You in-
stantly put your regiment in motion in double-quick time. I
remonstrated ; told you we had to go between four and five
miles up the mountain before we could reach the battlefield,
and if the men traveled at that rate they would not be fit to
fight when they got there. You then brought them down
to quick time.

"In going up the mountain we met with several men on
horseback who had been in the battle ; one I recollect, of my
company, who had been shot through the foot, and another
whose coat had been shot across the shoulders. The latter
told us that he was aid to Colonel Pegram, and that Colonel
Pegram had been killed. Some of these men turned back
and went with us part of the way up the mountain, but they
all disappeared before your regiment stopped. On our way
up I informed you of the death of Hughes, and you requested
me not to mention it to your men, as it might dampen their
spirit. When we arrived within about a mile of the battle
the firing ceased, and in a few moments a loud huzza was
heard coming from the position our forces had occupied when
I left them. You asked me what that huzza meant. I told
you that T was fearful the Yankees had driven our men from
the field and captured our artillery, for the shout came from
about the place where our artillery and fortifications stood.
You continned your march to within half a mile of the battle-
ground, when T informed you that it was unsafe to go farther,
that you could not with one regiment encounter successfully
four or five thousand of the enemy, with the advantage of
position, fortifications, and a piece of artillery. You halted
your regiment, you and I dismouted and in company with
some of your officers passed around a turn in the road that
we might see, if possible, how things stood at the pass on

128 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

top of the mountain, when we did see more men, as I told you
at the time, exulting and shouting-, than Colonel Pegram had
in his entire command. You were yet unwilling to go back,
but requested me either to go myself or to send some of my
men to reconnoiter. 1 told you I would not go, nor should
any of my men go, for I was perfectly satisfied as to how
things stood. A young man named Lipford, of your regi-
ment, stepped forward and proposed to go if he could get a
pistol and horse. Thus equipped, he went off up the road,
but in a very short time we heard the shout from many voices,
"Halt, shoot him,'* and the firing of several guns, and then
another loud huzza. It being now plain that the enemy had
either killed or taken Lipford prisoner, you were satisfied that
I was right, and that the enemy did have possession of the
field. You appearing still unwilling to go back, some of your
officers suggested that as the enemy's pickets could plainly
be seen around the fields on each side of the road in which
we stood, if you went forward the enemy would receive you
in ambuscade, whereas if you went back they would probably
follow, and then you could take them in ambuscade. This
suggestion being approved by all of us who expressed any
opinion, you marched your regiment down the mountai i.
leaving men in the rear to give you information of the ap-
proach of the enemy. In going down, information wa>
brought you that the enemy were in pursuit, when von put
your men in position to receive them. After remaining there
some time, and the alarm proving false, and all being quiet
on the mountain, you returned to Beverlv."

Lipford, referred to above, was not killed but was cap-
tuerd by the Federals. Colonel Scott correctlv conjecturing
the true state of affairs on the mountain to]), retreated, setting
an ambuscade on the way for the Federals, who were be-
lieved to be in pursuit. This proved to be a mistake and
Scott returned to Beverly, reaching that place about dark.
Colonel Scott held a conference with Confederate sympa-
thizers in Beverly, and concluded to march that night to
Laurel Hill, but on going into the street, where he had left
his regiment, lie found that his Lieutenant Colonel, acting on
erroneous information, had gone in the direction of Muttons-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 129

ville. Colonel Scott mounted his horse and dashed up the
pike, overtaking his troop about two miles above Beverly.
He turned his regiment in the direction of Laurel Hill, and on
his return to Beverly, was informed that General Garnett
was retreating. Accordingly, about 10 o'clock on the night
of the 11th, Colonel Scott started from Beverly on his retreat
by way of I Iuttonsville, across Cheat Mountain. On the
night of July 11th, General Garnett sent a message to Colonel
Scott to hold the Federals in check on the pike west of Bev-
erly, until daylight next morning. The message was not re-
ceived by Colonel Scott until the morning of the 12th, when
he had reached a point seven miles south of Beverly. The
victorious Federals did not seem eager to follow the retreating
Confederates, as the forces under Rosencranse camped on the
field of battle on the night of the 11th, and did not occupy the
abandoned Confederate fortifications at the western base of the
mountains until July 12th. The Federal forces entered Bev-
erly July 12th, about one o'clock. General Garnett had ample
time to retreat south by way of Beverly and Fluttonsville, but
a messenger, whom he sent to Beverly on the evening of the
12th, mistaking Colonel Scott's regiment for Federals, reported
to him that McLellan's army was occupying Beverly.

While the Federal troops were entering the town and
crossing the wooden bridge over the Tygarts Valley River,
Captain Richards, a Conferedate, rode up Main Street, and
when opposite the bridge, fired into the approaching Fed-
erals. The Federal cavalry pursued him for about a mile
south of Beverly, when Captain Richards entered a by-road
and escaped. The day following the Rich Mountain fight,
many of the sympathizers in Beverly left their homes and
refngeed to Eastern Virginia.

Garnett's Retreat.

General Garnett heard the artillery on Rich Mountain on
the afternoon of July 11th, and interpreted its meaning. He
received intelligence that evening that McLellan had reached
Pegram's rear ; however, he incorrectly believed that the Fed-
eral troops had gained Pegram's rear by a road north of the
turnpike. It was then he sent a message to Colonel Scott to

130 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

hold the Federals in check west of Beverly until he could re-
treat up the valley, but as stated elsewhere, this order did
not reach Colonel Scott until he was some miles south of
Beverly on his retreat across Cheat Mountain. Garnett left
Laurel Hill and retreated up the valley within about Zl/2 miles
of Beverly, when he was falsely informed that McLellan's
army occupied Beverly. He then turned back and retreated
to Cheat River, by way of Leading Creek and Pleasant Run.
General Morris, who had been feigning preparations for an
attack on General Garnett's army at Laurel Hill, moved for-
ward and took possession of the deserted camp on the 12th,
but on account of shortage of supplies, was not in position to
make effective pursuit. The Federal forces advanced to
Leadsville on the evening of the 12th, and encamped there
until next morning, when with a detachment of 3,000 men,
General Morris pursued the retreating Confederates into
Tucker County. At 6:10 A. M. Captain Benham, sent a
message to Major Williams that the Federals had reached
a point \l/2 miles east of New Interest (now Kerens) and
that the Confederates were supposed to be about six miles
ahead. The Federal army was compelled to subsist largely
on beef, procured in the vicinity, without bread or salt. Cap-
tain H. A'. Benham, in his report of the pursuit of Garnett,
and action at Carrick Ford, says:

"At about noon we reached Kaler's, or the first ford of
the Shaver Branch or Main Cheat River, having within the
previous two or three miles, fired at and driven in several
pickets of the enemy protecting those who were forming the
barricades, and at one place we broke up a camp where the
meals were being cooked. At the ford near Kaler's and about
one-half of the distance to another ford, which we afterwards
met with about one mile farther on, we saw the baggage train
of the enemy, apparently at rest. This I proposed to attack-
as soon as strengthened by the arrival of Steedman's second
battalion, witli Dumont's regiment, when the thoughtless fir-
ing of a musket at our ford set the train rapidly in motion,
and long lines of infantry were formed in order of battle to
protect it. In a few minutes, however, the arrival of Barnetfs
artillerv, with Dumont close upon it, enabled the command

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 131

to push forward in its original order, but the train and its
guard had retired, leaving only a few skirmishers to meet us
at the second ford, where, however, quite a rapid firing was
kept up by the advance regiment, and the artillery opened
for some minutes to clear the adjacent woods the more com-
pletely of the enemy.

"We then continued our march rapidly to the ford, and
as we approached it we came upon their train, the last half
of it just crossing the river. The enemy was found to have
taken a strong position, with his infantry and artillery upon
a precipitous bank of some fifty to eighty feet in height upon
the opposite side of the river, while our own ground was upon
the low land, nearly level with the river. Steedman's regi-
ment, in the advance, opened its fire most gallantly upon them,
which was immediatly returned by their strong force of in-
fantry and by their cannon, upon which Barnett's artillery
was ordered up and opened upon them with excellent effect.

"As I soon perceived a position by which their left could
be turned, six companies of Colonel Dumont's regiment were
ordered to cross the river about three hundred yards above
them, to pass up the hill obliquely from our right to their
left, and take them in rear. By some mistake, possibly in
the transmission of the order, this command crossed at about
double this distance and turned at first to their right, which
delayed the effect of the movement. After some fifteen minu-
tes, however, this error was rectified, and, the hill being re-
ported as impracticable, this command, now increased to the
whole regiment, were ordered down to the ford, under close
cover of this hill on their side, and there to take them directly
in front at the road.

"The firing of Steedman's regiment and of Milroy's, now
well up and in action, with repeated and rapid discharge of
the artillery during this movement, decided the action at
once. As Dumont reached the road, having passed along and
under their whole front, the firing ceased, and the enemy
fled in great confusion, Dumont's regiment pursuing them
for about one mile farther, having a brisk skirmishing with
their rear for the first half of that distance, during which Gen-
eral Garnett was killed. The enemy would still have been

132 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

followed up most closely, and probably to the capture of a
large portion of their scattered army, but this was absolutely
impossible with our fatigued and exhausted troops, who had
already marched some eigbteen miles or more, in an almost
incessant, violent rain, and the greater part of them without
food since the evening, and a portion of them even from the
noon of the yesterday, so warm had been the pursuit on their
hasty retreat from Laurel Mountain, twenty-six miles dis-
tant. The troops were, therefore, halted for food and rest
at about 2 P. M.

"The result of the action proves to be the capture of
about forty loaded wagons and teams, being nearly all their
baggage train, as we learn, and including a large portion
of new clothing, camp equipage, and other stores; their head-
quarter papers and military chest ; also two stands of colors
and one fine rifled piece of artillery: while the commanding
general, Robert S. Garnett, is killed, his body being now
cared for by us, and fifteen or twenty more of the enemy are
killed and nearly fifty prisoners are taken. Our loss is two
killed and six or seven wounded: one dangerously."'

We have fuller details of Garnett's retreat and battle of
Carrick's Ford in the report of Colonel W. B. Taliaferro of
the Confederate 23rd, Virginia Infantry. He says:

"On the evening of the 12th of July, General Garnett
bivouacked at Kaler's Ford, on Cheat River, the rear of his
command being about two miles back on Pleasant Run. On
the morning of the 13th July the command was put in mo-
tion about 8 o'clock, the Thirty-seventh Virginia and Colonel
Jackson's regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel Hansborough's
battalion, with a section of artillery, under Captain Shumaker,
and a squadron of cavalry under Captain Smith, forming the
advance: then the baggage train, and then Colonel Ramsey's
First Georgia and the Twenty-third Virginia Regiment, con-
stituting, with Lieutenant Lanier's section of artillery and a
cavalry force under Captain Jackson, the rear of the command.
Before the wagon train (which was very much impeded by
the condition of the county road over which it had to pass,
rendered very bad by the heavy rains of the preceding night)
had crossed the first ford half a mile above Kaler's. the cav-

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 133

airy scouts reported that the enemy were close upon our
rear with a very large force of infantry, well supported by
cavalry and artillery. The First Georgia Regiment was im-
mediately ordered to take position across the meadow on the
river side and hold the enemy in check until the train had
passed the river, and then retreat behind the Twenty-third
Virginia Regiment, which was ordered to take position and
defend the train until the Georgia troops had formed again
in some defensible position.

"By the time the Georgians had crossed the river, and be-
fore some of the companies of that regiment were thrown out
to ambuscade the enemy could be brought over, the enemy
appeared in sight of our troops, and immediately commenced
firing upon them. This was briskly returned by the Georgia
regiment, who after some rounds retired, in obedience to the
orders received. The Twenty-third Virginia and the artillery
were halted about three-quarters of a mile below the cross-
ing, and were ordered to occupy a hill commanding the valley
through which the enemy would have to approach and a wood
which commanded the road. This position they held until the
Georgia regiment was formed some distance in advance of
the Virginians, then the former command retired and again
reformed in advance of the Georgians. This system of re-
tiring upon eligible positions for defense admirablv selected
by Captain Corley, adjutant-general to General Garnet, was
pursued without loss on either side, a few random shots only
reaching us, until we reached Carrick's Ford, three and a
half miles from Kaler's. This is a deep ford, rendered deeper
than usual by the rains, and here some of the wagons be-
came stalled in the river and had to be abandoned.

'The enemy were now close upon the rear, which con-
sisted of the Twenty-third Regiment and the artillery ; and as
soon as this command had crossed Captain Corley ordered me
to occupy the high bank on the right of the ford with my
regiment and the artillery. On the right this position was
protected by a fence, on the left only by low bushes, but the
hill commanded the ford and the approach to it by the road,
and was admirably selected for defense. In a few minutes
the skirmishers of the enemv were seen runnintr alon<>- the

1S4 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

opposite bank, which was low and skirted by a few trees, and
were at first taken for the Georgians, who were known to
have been cut off; but we were soon undeceived, and a hearty
cheer for President Davis having been given by Lieutenant
Washington, C. S. Army, reiterated with a simultaneous shout
by the whole command, we opened upon the enemy. The
enemy replied to us with a heavy fire from their infantry and
artillery. We could discover that a large force was brought
up to attack us, but our continued and well-directed firing
kept them from crossing the river, and twice we succeeded
in driving them back some distance from the ford. They
again, however, came up with a heavy force and renewed the
fight. The fire of their artillery was entirelv ineffective, al-
though their shot and shell were thrown very rapidly, but
they flew over our heads without anv damage, except bring-
ing the limbs of trees down upon us. The working of our
three guns under Lieutenants Lanier, Washington, and Brown
was admirable, and the effect upon the enemy verv destruc-
tive. We could witness the telling effect of almost every shot.

"After continuing the fight until nearly every cartridge
had been expended, and until the artillery had been with-
drawn by General Garnett's orders, and as no part of his
command was within sight or supporting distance, as far as
I could discover, nor, as I afterwards ascertained, within four
miles of me, I ordered the regiment to retire. I was induced,
moreover, to do this, as I believed the enemy were making
an effort to turn our flank, and without support it would have
been impossible to have held the position, and as already
nearly thirty of my men had been killed and wounded. The
dead and severely wounded we had to leave upon the held,
but retired in perfect order, the officers and men manifesting
decided reluctance as being withdrawn. After marching half
a mile I was met by Colonel Starke. General Garnett's aide,
who directed me to move on with my regiment to the next
ford, a short distance in advance, where T would overtake
General Garnett.

"On the farther side of this ford I met General Garnett,
who directed me to halt my regiment around the turn of the
road, some hundred and fifty yards off. and to detail for him

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 135

ten good riflemen, remarking to me, "This is a good place be-
hind this driftwood to post skirmishers." I halted the regi-
ment as ordered, but from the difficulty on determining who
were the best shots, I ordered Captain Tompkins to report
to the general with his whole company. The general, how-
ever, would not permit them to remain, but after selecting ten
men, under Lieutenant Depriest, ordered the company back
to the regiment.

"By General Garnett's orders, conveyed by Colonel
Starke, I posted with that officer three of my companies on
a high bluff overlooking the river, but, finding the under-
growth so thick that the approach of the enemy could not be
well observed, they were withdrawn. A few minutes after
these companies rejoined the regiment, Colonel Starke rode
up and said that General Garnett directed me to march as
rapidlv as I could and overtake the main body. In a few
minutes afterwards Lieutenant Depriest reported to me that
General Garnett had been killed. He fell just as he gave the
order to the skirmishers to retire, and one of them was killed
by his side.

"It gives me pleasure to bear testimony to the coolness
and spirit displayed by officers and men in this affair. Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Crenshaw and Major Pendleton set an example
of courage and gallantry to the command, and the company
officers behaved admirably, doing their whole duty. It would
be invidious, when all behaved so Avell, to distinguish between
them. The gallantry of Lieutenant Washington was con-
spicuous. After the 6-pounder rifled piece had been disabled
and it was discovered it had to be abandoned, he spiked it
under a heavy fire.

"It is not my province, perhaps, in this report to speak of
officers outside of my own command, but I trust I shall be
pardoned for bearing testimony to the coolness and judg
ment that characterized the couduct of Colonel Starke and
Captain Corley during the whole of this day and afterwards
on the march. These officers, but more particularly the lat-
ter, selected every position at which our troops made a stand,
and we were never driven from one of them.

'The loss to the enemy in this section must have been

136 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

very great, as they had from their own account three regi-
ments engaged, and the people in the neighborhood whom I
have seen since report a heavy loss, which they state the
enemy endeavored to conceal by transporting the dead and
wounded back to Belington in covered wagons, permitting no
one to approach them.

"After receiving the order of General Garnett I marched
my regiment four miles farther on to Parson's Ford, a half
mile beyond which I overtook the main body of our troops,
who had been halted there by General Garnett, and which had
been drawn up to receive the enemv.

"The enemy did not advance to this ford, and after halt-
ing for some time our whole command moved forward, and
marching all night on the road leading up to the line of Horse-
shoe Run, reached about daylight the Red House, in Alary-
land, a point on the Northwestern turnpike near West Union.
At this last place a large force of the enemy under General
Hill was concentrated. This body did not attack us, and we
moved the same day into Virginia as far as Greenland, in
Hardy Count}."

General Morris did not pursue the Confederates further
after the battle of Carrick's Ford, but returned by way of St.
George and Clover Run, reaching Belington July 15th. His
army was practically without rations, and had been marching
and fighting without food for twenty hours. General Garnett's
army had a narrow escape from capture at the Red House on
the Northwestern pike. Federal troops to the number of
6,000 concentrated at that point to intercept the Confederate
retreat, but they arrived there about one hour after Garnett's
army had passed. The Confederate army retreated to Mont-
erey, Ya. without further molestation. At the battle of Car-
rick's Ford the Confederates lost 13 killed and 15 wounded.
The Federals lost 2 killed and 7 wounded. At Laurel Hill
the Confederates lost 2 killed and 2 wounded. The Federals
lost 4 killed and 6 wounded. At Rich Mountain the Con-
federates lost 45 killed and 20 wounded. The Federals had
12 killed and 49 wounded.

It is an undisputed fact that both Federals and Confed-
erates made serious blunders in the campaign in western

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 137

Virginia. However, the result could not have been different
with the great disproportion in the size of the two armies.
General McLellan, though regarded by many as the greatest
General on the Union side in the Civil War, betrayed in the
West Virginia campaign a weakness in not vigorously pur-
suing an advantage, that was later manifested at Malvern
Hill and Antietam. That General McLellan was a man of
great civic and military attainments is universally conceded,
yet it is interesting to know how he underestimated the mili-
tary resources of the Confederacy. On July 7th. 1861, he
wrote to General Scott that with 10,000 troops in eastern
Tennessee, in addition to his West Virginia army, he could
"crush the backbone of secession." However, in January,
1862, when made Chief Commander of the army, he estimated
that 273,000 men would be necessary for the main army
operations, aside from those needed for the defense of
Washington.

Both in his proclamation to the Union men of West Vir-
ginia and in his reports to the general government, he showed
a strong devotion to the Union, but an equally strong oppo-
sition to the abolition of slavery. In his instructions to
Colonels Irvine, Kelly, Steedman and others, he invariably
closed his admonitions with, "see that the rights and property
of the people are respected, and repress all attempts at negro
insurrection." In his proclamation to the people of West
Virginia, he said :

"Notwithstanding all that has been said by the traitors
to induce you to believe that our advent among you will be
signalized by interference with your slaves, understand one
thing clearly — not only will we abstain from all such inter-
ference, but we will, on the contrary, with an iron hand, crush
any attempt at insurrection on their part."

Woodley's Reminescence of Rich Mountain.

Willis H. Woodley, then a lad in his teens, joined a com-
pany of Upshur County Confederates, known as the Upshur
County Grays, and was a participant in the battle of Rich
Mountain. We are indebted to him for the following inter-
esting narrative :

138 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

"In compliance with your request I am giving you my
personal recollections of the events immediately preceding and
those occuring in the battle of Rich Mountain. After our
stampede at Philippi we returned to Huttonsville, and in the
course of a week or ten days we were reinforced by troops
from Virginia, Infantry and Cavalry, and under the command
of Colonel Heck, we came back to the western foot of Rich
Mountain and went into camp near Alexander Hart's, where
we began to fortify and commenced a systematic course of
drilling, in the meantime completing a line of breastworks
from the top of one ridge down across the pike and small
ravine to the top of a parallel ridge to the north. There were
very few tents in the command of about 2,500 men. We, the
Upshur Grays, Co. B. 25th Va. Infantry, known at that time
as Reger's Batallion, which was afterwards united to Hans-
bury's Batallion, forming the 25th Va. Infantry, made our
tents of brush under which we managed to sleep the best we
could, with water dripping on our faces.

"A few days before the battle at the to]) of the hill, we,
the Upshur Grays, under command of Captain John Higgen-
botham, were ordered to go to Middlefork Bridge on a recon-
noitering expedition. Below Fords, the half-way house, we
ran into the advanced pickets of the enemy, drove them in,
and also drove in a second outpost, when we discovered that
we were confronting McLellan's army, who were encamped at
the bridge. Bugles blowing, the long roll beating, warned us
of our danger. We immediately began a hasty retreat which
we accomplished without being pursued. The next evening-
General McLellan advanced and camped at the Hilleary place,
known as Fisher, and made his headquarters in the old log
house, known at that time as the Hilleary House and is still
standing, and was about two miles from our fortification.
Next morning our videttes wounded and captured a Federal
Sergeant and brought him in on a stretcher, the first person
in blue that any of us had ever seen and he was quite a
curiosity. The night before the battle on top of the moun-
tain at S. B. Hart's house and farm, the Upshur Grays, under
Captain Higginbotham, were ordered to do picket duty on
the middle ridge immediately above Colonel Pegram's head-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 139

quarters, who had recently superceded Colonel Heck in com-
mand. All through the night we distinctly heard the sound
of axes to our left and Captain Higgenbotham sent twice to
notify Colonel Pegram of the fact, and receiving the curt
reply from Colonel Pegram 'to mind his own business,' which
of course ended all communications between Colonel and
Captain for the remainder of the night.

"It it worthy of mention and fixed indelibly on my mind,
the most beautiful comet, the head extending to the south-
ern horizon, the tail reaching across the entire heavens, was
clearly visible the whole night and presented the most beau-
tiful appearance, surrounded by myriads of constellations and
stars, so peaceful, so sublime, so glorious, a sad commentary
of the brutality of man to man to be enacted on the morrow.

"Diverging slightly from a continuation of the narative
to inject a few personal interrogations. Why did Colonel
Heck select the foot instead of the top of the mountain?
When Hanibal in the Carthagenian wars with Rome, demon-
strated the fact that where one man can go 100,000 or more
can go also, and Napoleon Bonaparte confirmed the fact when
he scaled the Alps under almost the same identical conditions.

''Resuming the incidents as occurred early next morn-
ing, the Upshur Grays were ordered to the top of the moun-
tain, and when we had passed the O'Donnell turn. Colonel
Pegram overtook us and asked Captain Higgenbotham if he
thought the boys — for we were all boys — would stand fire.
Immediately the reply came from the boys themselves, 'try
us, try us.' When we reached the top we were halted right
at the very summit, and for a few moments we were exposed
to a volley from an unseen foe, whose numbers were entirely
unknown, realizing to the fullest extent the danger of being
shot down under such conditions without having a ghost of
a show to retaliate, made me weak kneed for sure, but as
soon as we fronted and marched into the woods and were told
to conceal ourselves by any natural or artificial object, all
fear seemed to go out, and as soon as I placed myself behind
a good sized tree, almost immediately thereafter the racket
commenced in earnest by vollies fired by Federal companies,
the bullets pattering against the trees way above us. We, of

140 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

course returned the fire, aiming for the most part at the smoke
arising from the edge of the woods. This desultory firing was
kept up for an hour, neither side knowing the strength of the
other. DeLagniel with his one 6 pound cannon certainly must
have produced consternation in our foes, for they at once
began to reconnoiter with the most satisfactory results to
them, for availing themselves of a temporary- cessation of
firing occasioned by quite a shower coming up, to send one
body of men to flank the cannon, and another to cut us oft
from our camp at the foot of the mountain, and when the
shower was over the enemy had a clear insight as to position
and numbers confronting them, and they advanced with the
certainty of victory. The firing in front was renewed with
increased activity, while the flanking parties were getting in
their work. The party that gained the pike between us and
the camp, came up crying reinforcements, at almost the same
time another flanking party rushed the one cannon and took it.
At about the same time a boy the same age as myself, from
Buckingham Lee Guards, with their Captain Irving com-
manding, stepped up behind me and said, "do you care if I
stand behind you?' We fired several shots almost at random,
when he called my attention to a group of officers who had
come out of the woods and were in plain view, about two
or three hundred yards in the open field above Hart's house,
and said 'watch one fall." We had both loaded, my musket
being held against the tree, as he sidestepped to take deliber-
ate aim, I watching on the other side of the tree. He never
fired the gun. The flanking party that had come up the pike,
calling out "reinforcements," had deployed along the pike and
three men had crept behind a big rock, one of the three had
put a bullet through the head of my comrade, and for the
first time in my life I heard the "thud" of a bullet against
flesh. In turning from looking at my fallen comrade I caught
a glimpse of three men in blue with brown hats tiptoeing
and gazing at the boy in gray whom they had just shot to
death. Instantly I jumped to the opposite side of the tree
from the three men, at the same time bringing my Spring-
field musket to bear on the middle man. I saw him scringe
and all three heads dissappeared behind the rock at my shot.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 141

Trepidation seized me and I ran up the hill, and every bullet
that passed me knocked up the leaves around me which only
accelerated my speed. In fact there is no telling how fast a
fellow can go with bullets pattering- around his feet. I have
always attributed my life to the fact of having on a blue U.
S. Army overcoat which my oldest brother obtained while a
station agent in Kansas in '58 and '59, in the employ of Russel
Magor & Wadell, who had the government contract of trans-
porting supplies to Albert Sydney Johnson who was in Utah
quelling the depredations of the Mormans. Running about
100 yards I concealed myself behind a large chestnut tree, got
my nerve, loaded and let slip a bullet at random, where the
Federals were yelling over the capture of DeLagnel's gun. I
at once resumed my retreat up the hill and overtook several
of the Upshur Grays including Captain Higgenbotham, John
Fuchert, Third Lieutenant, Bill McFadden, Orderly Sergeant,
and Ben Patterson, and others numbering twelve of the same
company. We spent the remainder of the evening in an aim-
less wandering on Rich Mountain until finally we arrived in
the Valley at Caplinger settlement, when we took possession
of an old log stable and went to sleep on the floor which was
covered with hay. Some time during the night I was awaken-
ed by the regular tramp of marching men. I nudged my com-
panion when we held a subdued conversation and concluded
it was the Federals. The next morning we were at sea. We
did not know which way to turn, when fortunately one of the
Caplingers came by and said the way was clear to Beverly,
as the enemy had not advanced. We at once took up our line
of march for Beverly, where Mrs. Leonard, the kindly dis-
posed matron of the Old Valley House, gave us our break-
fast. We proceded up the valley and reached Mrs. Bradley's
at now Valley Bend, who kindly gave us our dinner. Lying at
full length on the green sod after dinner, along came a soli-
tary cavalry man who said 'boys, get out of this, the Yankee
Cavalry are in Beverly.' We lost no time in getting a move
on us, and when we reached Huttonsvillle, Scott's 44th Va.
Regiment were just pulling out for Cheat Mountain. They
left us some hard-tack and bacon, and as soon as we had fried
it on the smouldering fire, left by the 44th, we too headed for

142 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Cheat Mountain, and the first clear field we came to on the
mountain side about five miles from Huttonsville, we laid
down under the canopy of Heaven and slept the sleep of utter
exhaustion, disturbed once by the yell of a wild cat or panther.
Xext morning we resumed our weary way, and upon reaching
the top found the 44th on the move again ; they kindly left us
something to eat. We were actually the rear guard without
knowing it. After resting and eating our breakfast, we pulled
out again, twelve of us, and upon arriving in the vallev be-
tween what it now Durbin and Travellers' Repose, we blund-
ered into the camp of the 12th Georgia, who had come so tar
and had orders to fall back to McDowell. They left us beef
and hard-tack, which we proceeded to cook and devour. After
a good long rest we followed across the Alleghenies, Crabbot-
tom, Monterey and finally reached McDowell, where we found
the 1st Georgia, 3rd Arkansas, 12th Georgia. 44th Virginia,
two batteries and a lot of cavalry. We moved to Monterey,
and daily stragglers came in bunches, the most woe begone,
foot sore, demoralized set of men it is impossible to describe.
During our stav at Monterev and McDowell we were re-
viewed by General Lee, and my impression of him as he sat
on a bay stallion, with his dark mustache and hair, his whole
bearing of calm repose, with a pent up reserved force, com-
municated to us by some invisible magnetic force that in-
stantly gave us renewed energy and faith, and there was not
one of us West Virginia snakes who would not have followed
him to death at a moment's notice.

"One more incident. George King, a little awkward
Upshur County boy, was so unfortunate as to get a flint-lock
musket, that of necessity, he had to keep. My father came on
from Staunton and joined us at Monterey, when the strag-
glers were coming in. father jokingly said to George. 'Well,
George did you kill a Yankee at Rich Mountain?' 'No,' said
George, I didn't." 'Why?' said my father. 'Because,' George
replied, 'I could not get my gun off.' The rain wet the powder
in the pan. and poor, brave simple George had stood during
the whole engagement, flashing powder in the pan of his old
flintlock without being able to fire a single shot. If there
ever was a hero, George deserves to be ranked with the
bravest of the brave."

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 143

General Lee at Elkwater.

On July 22, 1861, General McLellan was called to Wash-
ington to take charge of the military forces there. General
Reynolds succeeded him as Commander of the Federal forces
in northwestern Virginia, with headquarters at Beverly. The
Federal forces had been reduced by the expiration of enlist-
ments and by sending detachments to other fields. In the
course of a few months General Reynolds moved to Huttons-
ville and remained in undisputed possession of that section
until September. However, the Union army and especially
its scouts were in the meantime greatly annoyed by Con-
federate irregulars, who used their superior knowledge of the
country to fire upon the Federals from ambush and then
make their escape into the mountain fastnesses. Union sym-
pathizers resorted to the same tactics when opportnuity
afforded.

The Confederate government planned to retrieve their
fortunes and regain the territory of northwest Virginia. Early
in September, 1861, General Loring established himself at
Huntersville, in Pocahontas County with 8,500 men. Gen-
eral H. R. Jackson with 6,000 men was stationed on the
Greenbrier River, where the Staunton and Parkersburg pike
crosses that stream in Pocahontas County. General Robert
E. Lee was commanded to take charge of these forces by the
Confederate government and drive the Union army out of
northwestern Virginia. Accordingly General Lee concen-
trated his forces, which now numbered 14,500, at Big Springs,
Pocahontas County. General Lee planned to drive Reynolds
from the valley and march northward to the B. & O. railroad
at Grafton. General Reynolds' army in the valley numbered
about 9,000 men and he prepared to resist the approach of
Lee by fortifying two advanced positions at Elkwater and
Cheat Mountain. These positions were 18 miles apart by
way of Huttonsville, but General Reynolds established com-
munication between the two fortifications by a bridal path
seven miles distant. General Lee advanced to the valley and
skirmishing between the opposing armies began. The Con-
federates occupied a position between Elkwater and Cheat
Mountain and also the pike leading toward Huttonsville.

144 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

In the three days skirmishing, which followed, the Union
army lost 9 killed, 15 wounded and 60 prisoners. Among the
killed of the Confederate army was General John A. Wash-
ington, a relative of General Lee and President Washington.
The Washington and Lee families were closely related.
Under a flag of truce General Washington's body was con-
veyed to the Confederate lines. General Lee decided to at-
tack the Federal forces at Elkwater and Cheat Mountain
simultaneously, on the morning of September 12. Loring
and Jackson were to attack the Federals on the Huttonsville
side of the mountain and Rust was to open the attack from
the rear, which he had gained by crossing Cheat Mountain
and descending Cheat River. Loring and Jackson in front
and Lee at Elkwater were to await the signal of Colonel Rust's
artillery, when the}- would also assault the Federal forces.
With loaded guns and fixed bayonets, Colonel Rust was ready
to make the assault, when a captured picket made him believe
that 5.000 Federal troops awaited his attack. This ruse of
the picket with the approach of dawn and the sight of the
strong fortifications so terrified Colonel Rust that the in-
tended signal to the other detachments of the Confederate
army was never sounded. With the want of concert of ac-
ton of Colonel Rust and his own army hungry and without
rations General Lee did not make the proposed attack at Elk-
water. General Lee. in order to be nearer base for supplies,
withdrew to the Greenbrier river in Pocahontas County.

General Lee was greatly disappointed by the failure of
his campaign in northwestern Virginia. In writing to his
wife he said: "I cannot tell you my regret and mortification
at the untoward events that caused the failure of the plan.
I had taken every precaution to insure success and counted
on it, but the Ruler of the Universe willed otherwise and sent
a storm to disconcert the plan."

General Lee, perhaps, referred to the rain storm that on
the previous day destroyed the provisions of his army. It
will be observed that the operations of Lee himself were suc-
cessful, but there was no communication between the de-
tachments of his army, which rendered a favorable termina-
tion from concerted action improbable.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 145

Raids into Randolph.

General John I). Imhoden, of the Confederate army,
made a raid through Pendleton, Tucker, and Randolph coun-
ties in August, 1862. Mis object was to destroy the B. & O.
railroad bridge at Rowlesburg in Preston County, \\ith 300
men he set out from Franklin, Pendleton Count}-, August 14,
1862. lie followed the Seneca Trail to Dry Fork, and thence
down that stream to the Abram Parsons Mill, where the town
of Parsons now stands. He expected to surprise and capture
a squad of forty Federals, who were stationed at that place.
However, Miss Jane Snyder, daughter of John Snyder, of Dry
Fork, had divined their intention as they passed down the
Fork and mounting her horse and taking a by-path hastily
rode to Parson's Mill and gave warning to the Federals, who
retreated to Rowlesburg. Imboden, realizing that the plans
and destination of his raid had become known to the Federal
army, retreated through the forests and mountains to the
south and in three days reached Slaven's Cabin on the Staun-
ton and Parkersburg Pike in Pocahontas County.

General Imboden made a second raid into Randolph in
November, 1862. Rowlesburg was again his objective point.
However, he ventured no farther than St. George. With 310
men he marched in a severe snowstorm on the night of No-
vember 7, 1862, down Red Creek to its junction with Dry
Fork and thence down that stream and Cheat to St. George,
where he surprised and captured forty Federals. Believing
that further operations against Rowlesburg would be futile,
he again retreated southward this time by way of Glady Fork
and the Sinks and thence into Pendleton and Hardy counties.
He was compelled to subsist upon the resources of the coun-
try through which he passed, obtained by force or otherwise.
To compensate the Union sympathizers for their losses and
to avoid surprises in the future by Confederate invaders Cap-
tain Kellogg, issued very stringent orders of assessment and
notification directed to numerous southern sympathizers. The
assessments largely exceeded the losses sustained by the
Union sympathizers and ranged from $7 to $800. As a sample
of the general order we give below the one directed to Adam
Harper:

14« IISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

rge, Tucker County. Ya.. 28 18 2

Mr. Adam Harpe- - In consequence of certain rober-
which have been committed upon Union citizens of t
county by Bands of Gurilic- are here' d to the

amount - 0) Two Hundred and Eighty-five Dollars

to make good their losses And upon your failure to make
good thi- nt by the 8th day of December, the :

lowing order has been issued to me by Brigadier General
R. H. Milroy:

a are to burn their hou< ze their property and

shoot them. You will be sure that vou strictlv carrv out
this order. You will require of the inhabitants for ten or
fifteen miles around your camp on all the roads approaching
the town upon which the enemy may approach that V.
mi: »h in and give you notice and that upon any one fail-

ing to do so you will burn their houses and shoot the men."

By order of

BRI \ R. H MILRoY

Captain Kell . g anmanding 123 Ohio.

Raid Under Jenki-

cneral Jenkr >nfederate cavalry fot

of 550 men. made a raid a .jinia into Ohio in

- :>tember. 1862. He passed through Randolph
above Huttonsville and planned an attack on Beverly, with
the co-operal eneral Imboden. The Federal - at

Be -: » men. but on being informed that

neral Kelley had re *d the Beverly garrison with 1.500

men. General Jenkins abandoned his intended attack upon that
place and moved to Buckhannon by n the valley

to head of the Buckhannon River, and thence over to French
Creek and down thai the town of Buckhanr

which he surprised and captured. He also captured W
Glenville. Spencer and Ripley on the Ohio Rive- I Buck-
hannon he • ed considerable milit.v \ Federal

the name oi ho refused to surrender

Jenkins troops was killed above Huttonsville.

a nnvi'MitY OF RANDOLPH COUNTS 147

in iir reporl Genera] [enkini sayi thai the population
along French I reek was among ih<- mosl disloyal in Western
Virginia and thai hii forces emerged so suddenly from the
mountaini thai the inhabitanti could scarcely comprehend
thai they wen Southern troopi The truth oj thii statemenl

i ..ill- unted foi when we refled thai the French ' reel

settlemenl consisted, largely, oi emigranti from New Eng
land, who, no doubt, believed thai theii situation wesi oj th<
mountains protected them from Conferedate inva ion

J.nboden's Raid ol '03.

in the spring oi 1863 a Union force oi K78 men, with two

< anon wei e garrisoned al Beverly I olonel George !■' ■ Latham
was in charge. Genera] [onei and [mboden to i feeuti a
poliej planned and outlined bj General Lee, wen- to invade
Wei 1 Virginia General [on< was to march through Hard)

< ounty to Oakland, thenc< to Grafton, where he was to form
a junction with General [mboden, who was to cross Cheal
Mountain by waj oj the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike,
tin ii'> by "■'•- of Philippi to Grafton, whence theii combined
forcei would move wesi General [mboden commanded 3,365
and General [onei 1,300 men. Genera] [mboden, aftej a foui
d.i ■ ma i ( 1 1 in ;i drenching rain, < otered 1 ^garts Valli j abo i

I futtoni vdl< , on .\]<iil 23. Be had crossed ( heal Mountain
I--, way "i the Staunton and Parkei burg Piki He planned
to surprise and capture the Federal garrison al Beverl; Ho
• 1 1 , when 1 1' 1 1 a< in d Huttonsville he found thai the Federal
pickel had been withdrawn and believed thai the fore* al

Beverly had received intellii i of his approach Believing

t li.it he had losl hii opportunity to surprise the Federal al
Beverly, [mboden camped for the nighl al 1 1 mi on mi. The
in -t day he resumed hii march and when about six milei
above Beverl) th< advance guard oj [mboden's army al
tempted to hah |< ■ ■ < I- Phares, ! herifl of Randolph County.
Mi Pharei refusing to urrender, wai fired upon and shol
through the lungi Hi succeeded in reaching Beverly, n
covered from whal al the time wai thoughl to be a mortal
wound and lived uiair yean aftei the war. h developed thai
Slu-iiil Pharei wai the firsi man to giv< intelligence to thi

148 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

federal army of Imboden's approach. The skirmishing- con-
tinued during the day when the Federal army retreated to-
ward Philippi.

The object of these raids was to destroy the B. & O.
railroad, which was an important means of transportation for
Federal troops, destruction of military stores and to gain
Confederate recruits west of the Allegfhenies.

-&j

Jackson's Raid.

In July, 1863, General W. L. Jackson, with a force of
1,200 men entered Randolph County by way of Valley Head
and Cheat Mountain with the object of surprising and cap-
turing General Harris and a garrison of 800 Federals at Bev-
erly. General Jackson, with the main body of his men came
down the Valley by way of Huttonsville. Major J. E. Lady
with a detachment of 200 men by way of the back road
reached and guarded the Buckhannon Pike west of Beverly.
Colonel Dun detcured to the east of Beverly with a detach-
ment with the object of reaching the Philippi pike in the
rear of the Federals. At a signal of the firing of a cannon by
General Jackson the Federal forces were to be attacked sim-
ultaneouslv by the three detachments. Skirmishing began
when the main body of the Confederates reached a point
about two miles south of Beverly. General Jackson advanced
to an eminence on the M. J. Coberly farm, one and one-half
miles southwest of Beverly. At 2 o'clock General Jackson
fired the gun that was to be the signal for a uniform attack
but Colonel Dun failed to appear and General Jackson delay-
ed the intended assault. In the meantime, a lively artillery
duel was in progress. The Federals occupied Mt. Izer, where
the Confederate monument now stands. The Confederate pro-
jectiles did not reach the Federal fortifications, but exploded
in Beverly and the Leonard Flotel as well as some other
houses were damaged. The Federals moved their artillery
to the D. R. Baker bluff, south of Beverly, after which their
cannonading was more effectual. On the morning of July
3, General Jackson, in observing the pike north of Beverly for
the approach of Colonel Dun, discovered the advance of
General Averill with a brigade of Union soldiers from Philippi

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 149

to reinforce General Harris. General Jackson at once re-
treated up the valley and over the mountains into Virginia.
The Confederates lost four killed and five wounded. The
Federals lost fifty-five prisoners. Colonel Dun finally reached
Beverly, but not until after General Averill had come to the
rescue of General Harris. Colonel Dun's delay had been
attributed to the fact that a mountain still was on the line of
his march, which he and his men were loth to leave as long
as there remained a sparkling drop of the mountain dew.

The writer, at the age of four years, was an involuntary
participant in General Jackson's retreat. As the General re-
turned up the valley the main body of his army passed where
the writer's parents resided in Valley Bend District. As the
Confederates slowly and unheedingly passed the house, the
Federal cannon balls flew over our heads and exploded against
the hillside to the west. One projectile became so uncom-
fortably familiar and informal as to cut the branches from a
chestnut tree under which the writer, with James Morrison
and a few other Confederate soldiers were standing. Captain
J. W. Marshall is held in grateful remembrance for appearing
on the scene at the time of the most spirited cannonading and
directing the family and assembled neighbors to a place of
comparative safety. The cannon of which there has been so
much controversy is distinctly remembered and the appear-
ance of the ordnance as well as the statements of the cannon-
eers was to the effect that the axel of the cannon had been
broken not by a shell from the Federal batteries but in recoil
when the instrument was discharged.

Hill's Raid.

At 5 o'clock A. M. on the morning of October 29, 1864,
Major Benjamin Hill with 300 men made an attack on about
an equal number of Federals stationed at Beverly, under the
command of Colonel Robert Youart. Major Hill had flanked
the pickets and approached to within 150 yards of the Fed-
eral camp, when upon a challenge from a picket, the Confed-
erates raised a yell and charged the Federals. The attack
had been delayed too long and instead of finding the Fed-
erals asleep they were in rank for reveille roll call. The Con-

150 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

federates succeeded in reaching- the Federal quarters. In the
darkness friend and foe could not be distinguished. At the
break of day the Federals organized and drove the Confed-
erates from the field. The Federal loss was eight killed,
twenty-three wounded and thirteen captured. The Confed-
erate loss was four drowned in crossing the river, twenty-five
wounded and ninety-two captured.

Rosser's Raid.

In the early morning before the break of day, January
11. 1865, General Rosser with 300 Confederates surprised the
Federal garrison at Beverly, consisting of about 1.000 men,
taking 580 prisoners, killing six and wounding twenty-six.
About 400 Federals escaped capture and marched to Philippi.
Rosser's loss was slight. It was one of the most remarkable
military feats of the war. The Federal forces were command-
ed by General Robert Youart. It was in mid-winter and the
high waters and severe weather lulled the Federals into a
feeling of security. There was a ball in the town on the
evening previous, largely attended by the officers, who re-
mained until a late hour. The Federals had pickets posted
during the day at Russell's, a mile below town, at the Burnt
Bridge, two miles above town, and at the bridge in Beverly
on the Buckhannon Pike, a corporal and three men. At dark
the pickets were withdrawn from Russell's and the Burnt
Bridge and in their stead single sentinels were posted. Rosser
crossed Cheat Mountain by way of the Staunton and Park-
ersburg Pike, came down the Valley on the east side of the
river, made a detour around Beverly and formed their line
of battle in a hollow within 450 yards of the Federal camp.
The sentinel saw the Confederates and challenged them, "Who
comes there?" The reply, "Friends" threw the sentinel off
his guard, who moved toward the Confederates and was cap-
tured. The Federals were awakened by having the doors of
their quarters forced open and they were asked to surrender.
Many of the officers were quartered in the town and Colonel
Youart was asleep in Alfred Buckey's Hotel in Beverly when
the attack was made. Many of the prisoners marched from
Beverly to Staunton barefoot in the snow and suffered great-
ly from hunger and cold.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 151

Burnt House Incident.

Captain David Poe, of Buckhannon, in his "Personal
Reminiscences of the Civil War" relates his experience in
capturing a squad of Federals, who were stationed at the
John Taylor Burnt House on Cheat River, about a mile above
the present village of Bowden. He says: "After we left the
Upper Sinks and got down Shavers Mountain near the Glady
Fork of Cheat we were informed that there was a company
of Federal soldiers encamped over on the Main Cheat River
at the Taylor Burnt House. So we got together and held a
council of war. The strength of the enemy at the Burnt
House was one question to be settled. I was made guide and
we took up the line of march, crossing the mountain between
Glady Fork and Cheat River through the woods. The rain
was falling in torrents, so fast that a red deer, when scared
up, came near running over Ed. Boor of Marion County. We
crossed up toward the top of the mountain, on the opposite
side of the Burnt House. It was then nearly night. It had
been so rainy that day I think the blue coats felt no fear of
danger. YYe had no dinner and for supper ate hard sweet
apples that chanced to be on a tree in a nearby field. We all
remained on the mountain until 2 o'clock in the morning, when
the moon rose and we moved down to the bank of the creek,
near their camp. I went down into the creek and standing in
the shade of some timber on the bank, counted the horses,
finding only twenty in camp. They had ten pickets. I went
back and told the men all about it, eighteen of us and twenty-
two of them. All said we could take them. I suggested to
the officers that we cross the creek near the tents and wait
until day light came ; that I could pilot them across without
being seen by the enemy, but that when we got to the bank
of the creek we would have to crawl along the ground oppo-
site the tents in the grass and weeds. When daylight was
sufficient to tell blue from gray I was to raise up and give
the order to remove the tents, which were what we called fly
tents for cavalry. The sentinel was walking the beat. The
order was for no firing unless the blue coats commenced it.
At the proper time I arose and gave the order, which was

152 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

promptly obeyed. Lem Tenant was next the sentinel; he was
a tall slim man and by the time he got straightened up the
sentinel fired his gun, but the bullet went wild. The tents
were removed at once and the boys in blue in confusion.
Some seized their guns, others surrendered at once. I took
one tent from two boys ; one surrendered, but the other point-
ed his carbine square at me. I knocked it away so that the
bullet missed me. but he tried to shoot me until I fired my
revolver close enough to his body to burn him, and then he
surrendered. He was but a boy about fourteen years old
and as pretty as a girl. The Captain had not yet surrendered,
but was contending with two of the boys. Buck Carter of
Barbour and Tom Alton of Marion County. He was trying
to mount his horse and when he threw his belt around to put
it on his pistol slipped oft" the belt. He drew his sabre and
cut the hitch strap of his horse when the boys seized him
and demanded his surrender. Buck Carter's patience wore
out and he drew his spencer rifle and stepped back and said,
T will make you surrender.' Just then I caught his gun and
pushed his muzzle down so the ball went into the ground. I
slapped the Captain on the shoulder and said. Captain, you
had better surrender ; and he did. Tom Alton took charge of
him and the fight was over. Two or three of the boys in
blue were wounded and two horses were wounded. We piled
the tents, bent the guns and set fire to them. We took Cap-
tain Farrow of Miami County, Ohio and another man with
us as pisoners and sent them to Richmond and paroled the
rest. I asked my little boy why he was in the army, and he
replied that his mother was a widow and that he could make
more money for her in the armv than anywhere else. I told
him I was going to set him free and told him he had better
go home to his mother and keep out of the army. He said
he did not know about that. I will put you on parole ; you will
go home until you are exchanged, I said. 'I may do that' he
said. I do not know what he did, as I did not get his name,
only that he lived in Miami County, not far from Dayton,
Ohio. We got breakfast and some rations to last us through
to Crabbottom. We were all well mounted. I got a very
good horse and kept him seven years. The man who rode-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 153

him while he served the blue, while he was getting his wife's
and child's pictures from the saddlepockets, said I had a good
tough horse, which I found to be true."

Captain Poe does not give the date of this exploit, but it
was in the latter part of the summer of 1864.

Confederate Soldiers.

Below is a list of Confederate soldiers from Randolph.
This list was compiled by George W. Printz for Maxwell's
History of Randolph :

James Anthony, Joseph H. Anthony, killed at Fort Stead-
man ; Jackson Apperson, Jefferson Arbogast, killed at the
"Bloodv Angle," Spottsylvania Court House; Moses Bennett,
John VV. Bosworth Lieutenant, S. N. Bosworth Sergeant,
Joseph Chenoweth Major, killed at Port Republic; Z. T.
Chenoweth, Eli Currence, Emmett Crawford, Burns Craw-
ford, died of wounds, 1863 ; Jacob Currence Captain, N. S.
Channell, Cyrus Crouch, killed at Fredericksburg ; Milton
Crouch, killed at Cold Harbor; Garland Cox, died in prison;
Peter Cowger, Henson Douglass, killed at the "Bloody
Angle," Spottsylvania Court House ; William Daft, Edward
Daft, Adam E. Folks Corporal, John Folks, killed at the
Wilderness ; George Gainor, Eugene Hutton, killed at Bunker
Hill, Va. ; George E. Hogan, Levi Hevener, Adam Hevener,
killed at Spottsylvania ; Andrew Hevener, sctout for Lee,
killed at Elkwater; J. F. Harding Captain, after Major of
Cavalry, Marion Harding, killed at Elkwater, October, 1862 ;
George Harding, died in camp ; Thomas Herron, Edward Kit-
tle, killed at "Bloody Angle," Spottsylvania Court House;
Marshall Kittle, killed in Beverly at the Hill Raid 1864; Asa
Kelly, died of wounds at McDowell ; Charles Kelley, John
Logan, G. W. Louk, John Louk, Claude Louk, Dudley Long,
Third Lieutenant, killed at Petersburg; J. H. Long Corporal,
killed at Port Republic; Thomas Long, died in hospital; O.
H. P. Lewis, Lieutenant, Walter Lewis, died in hospital;
Thomas Lewis, killed at Fort Steadman ; Stephen D. Lewis,
John Lewis Jr., killed at Cedar Mountain ; John Lewis Sr.,
William Lemon, died of wounds at McDowell ; Jacob Lemon,
died in hospital ; James W. Lemon, John D. Moore, died in

154 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

hospital ; Andrew C. Mace, Elisha McCloud, John B. Pritt,
Newton Potts, John Quick, died from wounds; Claude Rader,
George W. Rowan, Corporal, Jacob Riggleman, Washington
Riggleman, Joshua Ramsay, died from wounds; Thomas
Ramsay, Branch Robinson, George Salsbury, Lieutenant,
Hiram Smith, Chesley Simmons, David Simmons, Joseph
Simmons, Franklin Stalnaker, died in hospital : Absalom
Shifflett, D. H. Summers, John C. Swecker, John M. Swecker,
Thomas Shelton, David Shelton, Joseph Stipes, killed at
"Bloody Angle" Spottsylvania Court House; William Stipes,
Joseph Vandevander, Adam Yandevander, William H. Wil-
son, Lieutenant, David O. Wilson, James R. Wilson, James
D. Wilson, Corporal, James W. Wilson, W. H. Wamsley,
Enoch Wamsley, L. D. Westfall, John M. Wood, Joseph
Wood, Randolph Wise, lost arm at Chantilly.

Dudley Long, J. H. Long and Thomas Long, mentioned
above were brothers, all losing their lives in the Southern
cause.

In the above list John W. Lewis Sr. was the father and
O. H. Lewis, Walter Lewis, Thomas Lewis, Stephen D.
Lewis and John Lewis Jr. were sons.

There were rive Kittle brothers in the Conferedate ser-
vice: George Kittle, Marshall Kittle, Ira Kittle, Edward
Kittle, and Squire B. Kittle.

Eighteenth Virginia Cavalry. — J. D. Adams, John Ben-
nett, Jacob Chenoweth, Judson Goddin, Sergeant, Charles
Myers, L. G. Potts, William Powers, George Powers, Thomas
Powers (killed), Adam C. Stalnaker, Eli Taylor, Judson Tay-
lor, Haymond Taylor (killed at Winchester, I, 1864), Elam
Taylor, Lieutenant, H. H. Taylor, F. M. Taylor, Perrv Tay-
lor, J. W. Triplett, Oliver Triplett, Frank Triplett (killed at
the Sinks), James D. Wilson, George Ward, Perry Weese,
Duncan Weese, Haymond Weese, Lafayette Ward.

Twentieth Virginia Cavalry.— J. X. C. Bell, William H.
Coberly, A. C. Crouch, John H. Dewitt, Claude Goff, Elihu
Hutton, Colonel, John Herron, Eugenus Isner, Morgan Kittle,
John Killingsworth, M. P. H. Potts, Jacob Salisbury (killed
at Winchester), Sheldon Salisbury, Adam Stalnaker, Harri-
son Westfall, Fred White.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 155

Nineteenth Virginia Cavalry. — John Baker, J. H. Cur-
rence, Archibald Earle, Simon Fowler, Nathan Fowler, ira
Kittle, John Kinney, Thomas G. Lindsey, James A. Logan,
Thomas Logan, David H. Lilly, John Manley, James Morri-
son (killed at Droop Mountain), Adam Propst Jr., Jesse W.
Simmons, Jonas Simmons, Nimrod Shifflett, J. S. Wamsley,
Captain, Randolph Wamsley, Samuel B. Wamsley, Adam H.
Wamsley, George F. Wamsley, George Ware, John Ware,
Allen Ware, Elihu B. Ward, Jacob G. Ward, Lieutenant, R.
S. Ward, L. M. Ward, Jacob Wilmoth, David J. Wilmoth.

M'Clanahan's Battery. — Andrew Chenoweth, Adam C.
Caplinger, C. L. Caplinger, John Caplinger, Parkison C. Col-
lett, Lieutenant, Andrew J. Collett, Sergeant, Hoy Clark,
James Daniels, Bugler, Harper Daniels, Calvin C. Clark, C.
B. Clark, John Marstiller (died at Bridgewater), David B.
Marstiller, Blackman Rummell (died in prison), Jacob Weese,
Andrew C. Weese.

Sixty-seventh Virginia Infantry. — A. Canfield, S. B. Kittle,
William Keasy, Cyrus Myers, Randolph Phillips, Moses Phil-
lips, George Phillips.

Churchville Cavalry. — Andrew C. Goddin, Lieutenant.

Twenty-fifth Virginia Infantry. — Jacob Heator, Dock
Heator, Herbert Murphy, Jacob Mathews, Captain, Charles
Mathews, James Shannon, Michael Shannon, Martin Shan-
non, Curtis Taylor, W. T. WTare, Sturms Gainer, Andrew
J. Murphy.

Scouts. — William Nelson (killed on Dry Fork), and
Thomas Wood.

Remarkable Recoveries.

On the night of March 20, 1864, a squad of Confederate
scouts, consisting of Adam C. Stalnaker, Jasper Triplett,
Oliver Triplett, Anthony Triplett, Taylor Chenoweth, James

156 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

D. Wilson. Jacob Wilmoth. Luther Parsons. Lafe Ward and
Dow Adams were fired upon by thirty-three Home Guards,
known as Swamps, while they were sleeping before a camp-
fire at the Sinks on the head of Dry Fork. Oliver Triplett
was killed instantly. Anthony Triplett and Adams were -
severely wounded that they were thought to be dead. How-
ever, upon the removal of their boots they showed signs of

Rich Mountain Battle Field.

life and were clubbed with muskets and left for dead. Later
they regained consciousness and Adams, in a dazed condition,
fell into the fire and was severely burned. Mr. Teter. who
lived near, found the wounded men next day and cared for
them at his home. Adams had been hit by eighteen missiles,
yet both he and Triplett recovered. Those escaping injury
fled to the adjacent woods. Messrs. James D. Wilson and
Adam C. Stalnaker. having departed the camp without their
shoes, wrapped their feet in the capes of their coats, tied them
with their handkerchiefs, and waded through the snow
several feet deep to Hightown, eight miles distant. Messrs.
Perry Weese. John and Eli Taylor were with the Confederate
scouts, but Mr. Weese stopped for the night with a Mr
Teter, who lived near. He was surprised and captured be

a };:-7 ;.v ::oolph county 157

fore the soldiers at the camp were fired upon, but was help-
rn his comrades. [Messrs. John and Eli Taylor. : rar-
ing a night attack, did not remain with the main body of the
scouts, but were passing the night about a half mile distar...
when the discharge of musl-: in them langer.

They made their escape. Mr. We - is turned -r :o the
Federal authorities and sent to Camp Chase .ere he remain-
ed until the close of the war. 7 Confederates were re-
turning frorr. : z to their homes this secti CTiey alsc
designed to surprise - oture the Federal agon train :
suiZ'.ies ::: :: = -.; r::r. e": -..: :r:iv:r. :: Btvtr.y. r'rtZc.'-
ration was "ale :or the attack a few miles t>elow Beverly
but when the train appeared the guard was too strong for their
-::\.\ ::-;: £.::: :ht:r :' :e;: -.vis e.". ir.-d nt

158 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

CHAPTER XL

LAWS ANCIENT AND OBSOLETE.

"The world advances and in time outgrows
The laws that in our father's days were best,
And doubtless after us some purer scheme
Will be shaped by wiser men than we."

RANDOLPH COUXTY was governed by the constitution
and statutes of Virginia from the time of its settlement to
1861. From 1863 to the present time the constitution and
statutes of West Virginia have been the laws of the land. The
study of the laws of an epoch or a country is interesting and
instructive from the fact that they reflect the customs, usages,
intelligence and civilization of a people. Blackstone defines
statute law as. "A rule of action, prescribed by the supreme
power of a state, commanding what is right and prohibiting
what is wrong. Accepting this definition, we can determine
from the laws of a country what its people regard as right and
wrong. The consideration of the laws of the past is also
interesting in throwing light upon the advancement of society.
As mankind progresses in civilization there decreases the
necessity for harsh, punitive and deterrent laws. A com-
parison of the laws of today with the statutes of a century
ago is sufficient to convince the most skeptical and pessi-
mistic that there has been real progress. The fact that laws
were not repealed, is not evidence that they were not dis-
tasteful to a majority of the people. They often remain on the
statute books long after they ceased to be enforced.

The laws that governed Randolph County, as a part of
Virginia, during the first half century of its existence, were
framed or inspired by the most distinguished statesmen our
countrv has produced. Thev were largelv responsible for the
laws, whether good or bad. These men not only provided the
State of Virginia with its code of laws, but dominated the
policies of the general government as well. Among this

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 159

galaxy of statesmen may be mentioned Patrick Henry, George
Washington, John Randolph, John Marshall, James Madison,
James Monroe, William Wirt and Thomas Jefferson. If some
of the laws of their day seemed incompatible with their learn-
ing and wisdom, as we view them today, we must remember
that they were intended for a people more primitive. A
people steeped and inured in king-craft, with many laws and
usages venerable with age. The laws may have been in-
harmonious with the spirit of the age, but they were hallowed
by the usages and traditions of their ancestors and they were
loth to alter or change them. If these laws, the product of
the brain of these sages and statesmen, fall below our expec-
tations, it may serve the purpose of removing the glamour and
illusion that often attaches to the lives and teachings of those
who have preceded us and leave us free to fashion our own
destiny in the light of present day conditions.

In 1792 a law was enacted in the interests of trood morals
and the suppression of vice and provided a penalty of eighty-
three cents for swearing, or getting drunk and in default of
payment, the offender was to receive ten lashes on the bare
back.

For working on the Sabbath the fine was one dollar and
sixty-seven cents. In the early records of Randolph there is
frequent reference to the violation of the Sunday law ; in
most instances for going to mill on the Sabbath. However,
mitigating circumstances set the offender free in most
instances.

For stealing a hogshead or cask of tobacco, found lying
by the highway, the punishment was death.

By act of the Virginia Assembly of December 19, 1792,
it was a crime punishable with death for any one to be found
guilty of forgery. The same penalty was attached to the
crime of eracing, defacing or changing the inspector's stamp
on hemp or flour. A similar penalty was attached to the
crime of stealing land warrants.

The individual, who made, passed, or possessed counter-
feit money with knowledge that it was counterfeit, was to be
put to death without benefit of clergy.

In the early davs of Virginia laws were often classed as

160 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

"clergible" and "unclergible." Benefit of clergy was a privi-
lege which arose from the pious regard paid by Christian
princes to the church in its infant state. Clergymen were ex-
empt from criminal processes before the secular judge in a
few particular cases. This exemption of the clergy, ar they
increased in wealth, power and honor was extended to every
subordinate officer belonging to the church or clergy. For
a time the clergy could have his clerks or subordinates re-
mitted out of the courts as they were indicted. This privi-
lege was later changed so that the prisoner could only claim
benefit of clergy after conviction in arrest of judgment. Be-
fore the general dissemination of learning the fact that the in-
dividual could read was competent evidence that he was a
clerk or clericus and entitled to the benefit of clergy. There-
fore, in the early history of our county, when the offender
was found guilty and sentenced to expiate his crime with
his life without benefit of clergy, it did not mean that the
tribunal was tssaying to extend its jurisdiction beyond earthly
courts, but that the prisoner should not plead benefit of
clergy in arrest of judgment. The principal argument upon
which the clergy of that day claimed exemption of the law.
was founded upon that text of Scripture. "Touch not mine
annointed and do my prophets no harm."

In 1789, an act was passed by the Assembly of Virginia.
making arson, burglary, the burning of a courthouse or
prison, church, robbing a house in the presence of its occu-
pants, breaking into and robbing a dwelling house by day,
after putting its owner in fear, murder in the first degree,
punishable with death without benefit of clergy.

By a law put on the statute books in 1792, gossip was dis-
couraged in the following terms :

Whereas, many idle and busy headed people, do forge
and divulge false rumors and reports, be it

Resolved: By the General Assembly, That what person
or persons whomsoever shall forge or divulge any such false
report tending to the trouble of the country, he shall be by
the next Justice of the Peace, sent for and bound over, to
the county court, where if he produce not his author, he shall
be fined forty dollars or less if the court sees fit to lessen it,

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 161

and besides give bond for bis good behaviour, if it appear to
the court that he did maliciously publish or invent it."

Hog stealing was a very grave crime in the eyes of the
earlv Virginia law makers. Special penalties were provided,
perhaps for the reason of the opportunities and temptations
for appropriating another's swine. Hogs, more than other
stock, were inclined to roam farther from the settler's cabin
and clearing and remain for months or years without the care
or attention of their owners. They were marked and turned
loose to live, fatten and multiply upon the nuts and n> ts < if
the forest. A law enacted in 1792. provided that a person
stealing a hog, shoat or pig should receive thirty-five lashes
■on the bare back, or pay a fine of thirty dollars and in either
event he should pay the owner eight dollars for each animal
■stolen. For the second offense he should stand in the pilories
with both ears nailed to the pilories on a court day. For the
third offense the culprit was to be put to death without the
benefit of clergy. The laws of marks and brands made the
possession of a hog without ears sufficient evidence that the
possessor had stolen it. Indians, under the law. were pro-
hibited from selling the settler hogs unless the ears were
produced to indicate the ownership.

Slaves whether regarded as property, or as men. severe
laws were passed for their restraint and regulation. His-
torians differ as to the precise date of the introduction of
slaves into Virginia. Smith, the first historian of Virginia
thus expresses himself: "About the last of August came in
a Dutch man of warre that brought us twenty Xegars."

Prior to 1788 it was no punishable offense for the owner
to accidentally kill his slave, by stroke or blow, intended for
their correction. This law was repealed by act of the As-
sembly, November 21, 1788.

The assemblage oi slaves at any school for teaching them
reading or writing either in the day or night, was denied an
unlawful assembly and the offenders were subject to corporal
punishment, not to exceed twenty lashes.

Prior to 1806 an emancipated slave remaining in the State
more than one year forfeited his or her freedom. No free
negro or mulatto was permitted to migrate into the State

162 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

under the penalty of receiving thirty-nine lashes for every
week while he should remain in the State.

The General Assembly of Virginia in 1785, in order to
prevent the further introduction of slaves into the State,
passed an act that slaves brought into the Commonwealth and
kept therein one year should be free.

It was unlawful for a slave to leave the premises of his
master without a permit. No person was allowed to sell to
or purchase from a slave any commodity without the master's
consent.

In the same year the General Assembly declared all per-
sons to be mulattoes, whose grandfathers or grandmothers
shall have been negro, although all his other progenitors shall
have been white persons. Also, every person, who shall have
one-fourth part or more negro blood should be deemed a negro.

The early laws of Virginia recognized another species of
servitude; that of servants. The legal status between ser-
vant and master was clearly defined by statute. Many poor
persons in the mother country contracted for service on Vir-
ginia plantations in consideration of transportation. Then
the mother country from motives of economy of gibbets and
jail room at home transported a number of individuals who
had not displayed a proper ethical consideration for the rights
and properties of others in England. This class of individuals
were sold to the American planter. In a new environment,
with the inspiration of the opportunities of a new and growing
country, removed from the scenes of their crimes, these ex-
ported convicts, as a rule, became upright and exempulary
citizens.

Xo negro, mulatto or Indian could purchase any servant
other than their own complexion.

By act of the Assembly of 1792, the servant could not be
compelled to perform a contract exceeding seven years. In-
fants under fourteen years of age, with consent of parents or
guardian could serve until of age. Servants, whose compen-
sation was limited to transportation, food, lodging and cloth-
ing were to receive at the end of their service a suit of clothes,
suited to the season : to-wit, a coat, waist coat, pair of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 163

breeches, and shoes, two pair of stockings, two shirts, a hat
and a blanket.

A Justice of the Peace could convict a servant for lazi-
ness and have him corrected with stripes. No servant was
permitted to sell or receive any commodity.

In offenses by free persons punishable by fines, servants
were punished by lashes. Every servant upon the expiration
of his or her time, was upon proof, to receive a certificate from
the cleark of the court where he or she last served.

The Virginia Assembly passed an act November 13, 1788,
to prevent the importation of convicts into Virginia, as
follows :

"Whereas, it has been represented to this general assem-
bly by the United States in congress, that a practice has pre-
vailed for some time past of importing felon convicts into
this state, under various pretences, which said felons convict
so imported and sold and dispersed among the people of this
state, whereby much injury hath been done to the moral, as
well as the health of our fellow citizens : for remedy whereof,

"Be it enacted, that from and after the first day of Janu-
ary next, no captain or master of any sailing vessel, or any
other person, coming into this commonwealth, by land or
water, shall import or bring with him, any person who shall
have been a felon, convict, or under sentence of death, or any
other legal disability incurred by a criminal prosecution, or
who shall be delivered to him from any prison or place of
confinement, in any place out of the United States."

Religious Freedom.

Virginia had originally an established church with some
of the intolerance of the mother church of England, but under
the leadership of Thomas Jefferson, who is justly venerated
as the father of religious liberty in Virginia, the legislature
incorporated the liberal views of this distinguished statesman
in the statutes of the state. In 1776 a committee had been
appointed to revise the statutes of the state and the most im-
portant of these bills were enacted into law in 1785 and 1786.
Among the bills recommended was one for establishing re-
ligious freedom, which became a law in October 1785. Patrick

164 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Henry was at that time Governor of Virginia. The preamble
and act was as follows:

"Whereas, Almighty God hath created the mind free;
that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or
burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits
of hypocricy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan
of the Holy author of our religion who being Lord both of
body and mind, yet choose not to propogate it by coercion on
either, as was in his almighty power to do ; that the impious
presumption of legislators and rulers civil as well as eccle-
siastical, who being themselves but fallible and uninspired men,
have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up
their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true
and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on
others, hath established and maintained false religions over the
greatest part of the world, and through all time ; that to com-
pel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propo-
gation of opinions which he disbelieves, is sinful and tyran-
ical ; that even the forcing him to support this or that teacher
of his own religious persuasion, is depriving him of the com-
fortable liberty of giving his contributions to the particular
pastor, whose morals he would make his pattern, and whose
powers he feels most persuasive to righteousness, and is
withdrawing from the ministry those temporary rewards,
which proceeding from an approbation of their personal con-
duct, are an additional incitement to earnest and unremitting
labours for the instruction of mankind ;" that our civil rights
have no dependence on our religious opinions, any more than
our opinions in physics or geometry ; that therefore the pro-
scribing any citizen as unworthv the public confidence by
laying upon him incapacity of being called to offices of trust
and emolument, unless he profess or renounce this or that
religious belief, is depriving him injuriously of these privileges
and advantages to which in common with his fellow citizens
he has a natural right ; that it tends only to corrupt the prin-
ciples of the religion that it is meant to encourage, by bribing
with a monopoly of worldly honors and emoluments, those
who will externally profess and conform to it : that though
indeed these are criminal who do not withstand such tempta-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 165

tion, yet neither are those innocent who lay the bait in their
way; that to suffer the civil magistrate to intrude his powers
into the field of opinion, and to restrain the profession or
propogation of principles on supposition of their ill tendency,
is dangerous fallacy, which at once destroys all religious
liberty, because he being of course judge of that tendency will
make his opinions the rule of judgment, and approve or con-
dem the sentiments of others only as they shall square with or
differ from his own ; that it is time enough for the rightful
purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere when
principles break out into overt acts against peace and good
order; and finally, that truth is great and will prevail if left
to herself, that she is the proper antagonist to error, and has
nothing to fear from the conflict unless by human interposi-
tion disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and
debate, errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to contradict them :

Be it Enacted by the General Assembly, That no man
shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious wor-
ship, place or ministry whatsoever, or shall be enforced, re-
strained, molested or burthened in his goods, nor shall other-
wise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but
that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to main-
tain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same
shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil ca-
pacities.

And though we well know that this assembly elected by
the people for the ordinary purposes of legislation only, have
no power to restrain the acts of succeeding assemblies, con-
stituted with powers equal to our own, and that therefore to
declare this act irrevocable would be of no effect in law ; yet
we are free to declare, that the rights hereby asserted are of
the natural rights of mankind, and that if any act shall be
hereafter passed to repeal the present, or to narrow its opera-
tion, such an act will be an infringement of natural right."

The military spirit prevailed in the early history of this
county, to a much greater extent than today. The long con-
test with the Indians and French had imbued the people with

166 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

a military spirit and inured them to the hardships of war.
After the revolution the masses of the people gladly returned
to the pursuits of peace, but the thunder and mutterings of
the war god in Europe, echoed in the New World and the
drill and efficiency of the militia was the constant care and
patronage of the state. Musters for military drills were gala
days in the pioneer period. In that day, when physical prowess
was at a premium from an environment of danger and hard-
ship, it was not an unusual occurrence for the participants of
the muster, to test their physical skill and endurance in a
fistic encounter.

The law under which musters were held was passed
October 17, 1785. Patrick Henry was at that time Governor
of Virginia. Several salient sections of the law are produced
below:

"That all free male persons between the ages of eighteen
and fifty years, except the members of council of state, judges,
millers, ministers of the gospel, etc., shall be inrolled or form-
ed into companies, of three Serjeants, three corporals, a drum-
mer and a fifer, and not less than forty and not more than
sixty-five rank and file; and these companies shall again be
formed into regiments of not more than one thousand, nor
less than five hundred men, if there be so manv in the county.
Each company shall be commanded by a captain, lieutenant,
and an ensign; each regiment by a colonel, and a major; and
the whole by a county lieutenant. There shall be a private
muster of every company once in two months, except Decem-
ber and January, at such convenient time and place as the
captain or next commanding officer shall appoint : a muster
of each regiment on some day in the month of March or April
in every year, and a general muster of the whole on some day
in the month of October or November, in every year, to be
appointed by the county lieutenant.

"Every officer and soldier shall appear at his respective
muster field on the clay appointed, by eleven o'clock in the
forenoon, armed, equipped and accoutered as follows: The
county lieutenants, colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors,
with a sword, the captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, with a
sword and espontoon, every non-commissioned officer and

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 167

private, with a good clean musket, carrying an ounce ball
and three feet eight inches long in barrel, with a good bayonet
and iron ramrod well fitted thereto, a cartridge box properly
made, to contain and secure twenty cartridges fitted to his
musket, a good knapsack and canteen, and moreover, each
non-commissioned officer and private shall have at every
muster one pound of good powder, and four pounds of lead,
including twenty blind cartridges; and each serjeant shall
have a pair of moulds fit to cast balls for their respective
companies, to be purchased by the commanding officer out
of the monies arising on delinquencies.

"Provided, that the militia of the counties westward of
the Blue Ridge, and the counties below adjoining thereto,
shall not be obliged to be armed with muskets, but may have
good rifles with proper accouterments, in lieu thereof.

".And whereas it will be of great utility and advantage In
establishing a well disciplined militia, to annex to each regi-
ment a light company to be formed of young men, from
eighteen to twentv-five years old, whose activitv and do-
mestic circumstances will admit of a frequency of training and
strictness of discipline, not practical for the militia in general,
and returning to the main body, on their arrival at the latter
period, will be constantly giving thereto a military pride and
experience, from which the best of consequences will result.

"If any non-commissioned officer or soldier shall behave
himself disobediently or mutinously when on duty, on, or
before any court or board directed by this act to be held, the
commanding officer, court or board, may either confine him
for the day, or cause him to be bound neck and heels for any
time not exceeding five minutes. If any by-stander shall
interrupt, molest or insult any officer or soldier while on duty
at any muster, or shall be guilty of the like conduct before
any court or board, as aforesaid, the commanding officer, or
such court, or board may cause him to be confined for the day.

And when any militia shall be in actual service, they shall
be allowed pay and rations as follows : A brigadier general,
one hundred dollars per month, and twelve rations of pro-
visions and five rations of forage for himself and family, per
day ; an aid-de-camp, thirty dollars per month ; a colonel,

168 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

seventy-five dollars per month and six rations of provisions-
and two rations of forage per day ; a brigade major, thirty
dollars per month, four rations of provisions and two rations-
of forage per day ; a brigade quartermaster, thirty dollars per
month, and three rations of provisions and one ration of forage
per day ; a lieutenant colonel, sixty dollars per month, and five
rations of provisions and two rations of forage per dav ; a
major, fifty dollars per month and two rations of forage per
day ; a captain, forty dollars per month and three rations of
provisions per day ; a lieutenant, twenty-seven and two-thirds
dollars per month and two rations of provisions per dav ; an
ensign, twenty dollars per month and two rations of provisions
per day : a surgeon, sixty dollars per month and three rations
of provisions and two rations of forage per day : a quarter-
master, twenty dollars per month and two rations of provi-
sions and one ration of forage per day ; a paymaster, forty
dollars per month and two rations of provisions and one ration
of forage per day ; an adjutant, twenty-four dollars per month
and two rations of provisions and one ration of forage per day;
a quartermaster sergeant, eight dollars per month and one
ration per day ; a sergeant, eight dollars per month and one
ration per day ; a corporal, seven dollars per month and one
ration per day ; a private, five and one-half dollars per month,
and one ration per day. A ration shall consist of one pound
of fresh beef or pork, or three-quarters of a pound of salt
pork, one pound of wheat bread or flour, or one pound and a
quarter of corn meal, one gill of rum, when to be had, and one
quart of salt, one quart of vinegar, two pounds of soap, and
one pounds of candles, to every hundred rations; but in case
salt meat be issued, the salt to be withheld ; and a ration of
forage, of ten quarts of corn or oats, and fourteen pounds of
hay or fodder.

The pioneer depended, much more than people of the
present day, upon the local grist mill for converting his corn
and wheat into meal and flour, whereof was obtained the
"staff of life." The miller was an important and conspicuous
personage in the community and an object of much consid-
eration by the law making bodies. Unless the mill was es-
tablished bv court, the owner could collect no toll nor receive

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 169

any compensation for grinding grain. The law, in part, gov-
erning the operation of grist mills was as follows:

"All millers shall well and sufficiently grind the grain,
brought to their mills for the usual consumption of all per-
sons bringing the same and their families: and in due turn as
the same shall be brought and may take for the toll, one-
eighth part and no more, of all grain of which the remaining
part shall be ground into meal and one-sixteenth part and no
more of all grain of which the remaining part shall be ground
into hominy or malt.

"And every miller or occupier of a mill, who shall not
well and sufficiently armd as aforesaid, or not in turn as the
same shall be brought, or take or exact more toll, shall,
(whether such mill be established by law or not) forfeit and
pav to the party injured, five dollars for each and every of-
fense, recoverable with costs before any justice of the peace
of the county where such offense shall be committed. And
where the miller shall be a slave free or mulatto, he shall,
upon the first conviction for such offense, receive ten lashes,
and on the second conviction twenty lashes, on his or her
bare back, well laid on, in lieu of the forfeit aforesaid ; but
upon a third conviction, the master of such slave, where the
party is a slave, or his overseer or agent, shall be liable to pay
to the party injured, five dollars, recoverable as aforesaid, and
so for every offense by such slave afterward committed ; pro-
vided that every owner, or occupier of a mill, shall have a
right at any time to grind his or her own grain for the con-
sumption of his or her family ; And provided, That no miller
shall be obliged to run more than one pair of stones, for the
purpose of grinding grain brought to his mill for the con-
sumption of the persons bring the same and their families.

"Every owner or occupier of a mill established, or grind-
ing for toll, as aforesaid, shall keep therein sealed measures,
of half bushel and peck, and toll dish sealed, and shall measure
all grain by strike measure under the penalty of paying two
dollars and fifty cents for every such failure, recoverable with
costs, before a justice of the peace for the county wherein such
mill shall be, to the use of the informer, and if the miller be

170 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

a slave or servant, his master or owner shall be liable to
the penalty."

According to the code of Virginia of 1819, in case ot
trespass by horses and cattle upon the lands of another, for
the third offense the "party injured may kill the beast without
being liable to an action."

In the question of the lawfulness of a fence, in case ot
trespass the justice was compelled to issue his order for "three
honest and disinterested house keepers," to view the fence and
their testimony was good evidence to the jury.

Persons injuring trespassing live stock, when their fence
was not up to the legal standard, were mulcted in double
damages. The statute read as follows: "If any person dami-
fied for want of such sufficient fence shall injure or cause to
be injured, in any manner, any of the kind of animals above
mentioned, he shall pay to the owner double damages, with
costs recoverable as aforesaid.''

The penalty for making a fence across a public road was
one dollar and sixty cents for every twenty-four hours the
fence remained.

On November 7, 1787, an act was passed by the Virginia
Assembly of considerable historic interest. John Fitch, ol
Pennsylvania was granted exclusive privilege to navigate
steamboats upon all waters within the jurisdiction of the state
for a term of fourteen years. This act was to become void it
he did not have his boats or crafts in use at the expiration of
three years from the passage of the act. The preamble of the
bill cited that John Fitch "hath constructed an easy and ex-
peditious method of propelling boats through the water by
force of fire or steam." Several years previous, while sailing
on the great western rivers, the idea occurred to him that
they might be navigated by steam. lie applied for pecuniary
assistance to several states without success. However in
1786, he succeeded in forming a company for the prosecution
of his enterprise, and a steam packet was launched on the
Delaware. The undertaking proved a losing one and Mr.
Fitch, in poverty and disappointment, committed suicide in
1798. James Rumsey disputed Fitche's claim to be the in-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 171

ventor of steam navigation, but, he as well as Robert Fulton,
who in 1806, succeeded in propelling a boat through the
water by the use of steam, perhaps, appropriated the ideas
conceived and suggested by Fitch several years previous.

District courts were established by act of the Virginia
Assembly December 22, 1788. Randolph, Harrison, Monon-
galia, and Ohio composed one of the circuits. Court for this
district was to be held at Monongalia court house on the 3rd
day of May, and the 20th day of September of each year.
Judges were elcted by joint ballot of the both houses of the
Assembly. There were to be two judges for each circuit.
Where the charge was of such a nature as to subject the party
to capital punishment or burning in the hand, two judges
were required to try the issue, whether in law or fact. Their
jurisdiction obtained in civil causes, only, where the matter in
controversy amounted to 3000 pounds, or more, of tobacco.

On November 20, 1788, the Virginia Assembly apportion-
ed the state into ten Congressionad districts and passed an
act for the election of representatives pursuant to the consti-
tution of the United States, which had been ratified by Vir-
ginia in June of the same year. Randolph county was linked
with Harrison, Hampshire, Berkeley, Frederick, Shenandoah,
Ohio, Monongalia and Hardy in the formation of one con-
gressional district. This congressional district, with a few
variations, remains much the same today.

On December 9, 1795, the General Assembly of Virginia
passed an act for removing the obstructions for the passage
of fish in the Tygarts Valley river. There is no record or
tradition that anything was ever accomplished and the agita-
tion for this project, though hoary with the frosts of many
winters, today shows the vitality of vigorous youth. The
falls referred to exist a few miles below the city of Grafton.
The narrows, near Cornelius Westfall's, has reference to -the
passage of the Valley river through the mountains, a few
miles below Elkins. A copy of the act is produced belowr :

"Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That Robert
Maxwell, Abram Kittle, John Pancake, Abram Springstone,
Jacob Stornaker, Benjamin Hornbeck, Simon Reader, Heze-
kiah Roincrantz, and Jonas Friend, gentlemen, shall be and

172 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

are hereby constituted and appointed commissioners, for tak-
ing and receiving subscriptions for the purpose of defraying
the expense of removing the obstructions to the passage of
fish, in the Tvgarts Valley River between the falls and the
narrows near Cornelius Westfall's.

"If any person shall neglect or refuse, when required to
pav the money by him subscribed, it shall be lawful for the
said commissioners or the survivors of them, to recover the
same by motion in the court of the county where the sub-
scriber resides : Provide, the party has ten days previous
notice of such motion, and the clerk shall endorse on every
execution issued by virtue of this act, 'No- security to be
taken.'

"The commissioners, or a majority of them, shall have
power to contract and agree with one or more fit person or
persons for removing the obstruction to the passage of fish in
Tv^er's Yallev river between the falls thereof and the nar-
rows near Cornelius Westfall's and take a bond or bonds with
sufficient securitv for the due and faithful performance of the
undertaking: and of the money arising from the subscrip-
tion as aforesaid, to pay the expense thereof.

"This act shall commence and be in force from and after
the passing thereof."

The Virginia Assembly on December 10. 1793 passed an
act authorizing the county of Randolph to open a wagon road
from the court house at Beverly to the State Road at David
Minear's on Cheat River. Under this act the surveyors of the
different precincts of the county were to compel all persons
in their precincts, who were subject to the road law, to assist
in the construction of this road. The road law at that time
compelled "all male labouring persons, of the age of sixteen
years or more, except such as are masters of two or more male
labouring slaves of the age of sixteen years or more to work
on some public road." The penalty for the violation of this
statute was seven shillings and six pense for each clay's of-
fense. The following is a copy of the act referred to above :

"Whereas it has been represented to the present general
assembly that the inhabitants of Randolph County have long
laboured under manv disadvantages for the want of a wagon

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 173

road from the court house thereof to the state road at David
Manear's on Cheat River, which can not he effected by the
ordinary mode of prescribed by law :

"Be it therefore enacted by the general assembly, That it
shall and may be lawful for the court of the said county of
Randolph to order the attendance and services of the several
surveyors of highways in Tyger's Valley, Leading- Creek and
Cheat River, with the hands assigned to work thereon, to
open and complete a wagon road from Thomas Skidmore's, in
Tyger's Valley, to David Manear's on Cheat River, where the
state road crosses the same.

"And be it further enacted, That any person failing to
comply with the requisitions of this act, shall be subject to
the same fines and penalties as are inflicted by the act entitled,
'An act concerning public roads.'

"This act shall commence and be in force from and after
the passing thereof."

Tavern keepers were for many years in the early history
of the state licensed by the Governor, but from the time of
the formation of this county the licenseing power was vested
in the county court. A special penalty, forfeiture of license,
was attached to the offense of permitting "any person to
tipple or drink more than is necessary on the Lord's day or
any day set apart by public authority for religious worship."
Prices to be charged by the innkeeper for diet, lodging, liquors,
and horse feed were left to the discretion of the county court.

The culture of tobacco was for many years the principal
pursuit in the early history of Virginia and it was the only
staple commodity to which the first settlers could be induced
to turn their attention. Various laws were, at first enacted by
the legislature, wth a view to improve its quality and lessen
the quantity, the distance at which the plants should be set
apart, the number of plants to be attended by each labourer,
and the number of leaves to be gathered from a plant, were
all prescribed by act of Assembly. At one period a law was
in force, declaring that no tobacco should be planted after a
certain day in the year; at another there was a total suspen-
sion from planting for a year, which was called a cessation or
stint. The size of a hogshead of tobacco wras, for a number

174 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

of years, three hundred and fifty pounds weight. Before any
warehouses were stablished, the inspection of tobacco was
performed by an order from a commander of plantations, two
men in the neighborhood, who were to view it and if of bad
quality to burn it.

Postage Rates. Laws of the United States of April 9,
1816: For every letter, of a single sheet, conveyed not ex-
ceeding thirty miles, 6 cents ; over thirty and not exceeding
eighty miles, 10 cents; oyer eighty and not exceeding one
hundred and fifty miles, I2y2 cents; oyer one hundred and
fifty and not not exceeding four hundred miles, 18^4 cents ;
over four hundred miles, 25 cents. For every double letter,
or one composed of two pieces of paper, double those rates ;
for a triple letter, or one composed of three pieces of paper,
triple those rates. One newspaper could be sent by each
printer to every other printer free of charge. The postage of
newspapers was one cent for any distance not more than one
hundred miles and one and one-half cents for any greater
distance. The postage of magazines and pamphlets was one
cent a sheet for any distance not exceeding fifty miles, one
and one-half cents for any distance over fifty.

We give below the Act of the General Assembly creating
Randolph County, That portion of Harrison County em-
braced in the territory west and east of the lines given, hound-
ed on the west by Pendleton, south by Greenbrier, constituted
the county at the time of its formation.

Be It Enacted by the Geenral Assembly of Virginia : That
from and after the first day of May, 1787, the county of Har-
rison, shall be divided into two distinct counties, that is to
say, so much of the said county, lying southeast of the fol-
lowing lines, beginning at the mouth of Sandy Creek, thence
up Tyger's Valley River to the mouth of Buckhannon River,
thence up said river including all the waters thereof, thence
down Elk River, including the waters thereof to the Green-
brier line, shall be one distinct county and called and be
known by Randolph and the residue of said county shall re-
tain the name of Harrison. A court for the said county of
Randolph shall be held by the Justices thereof on the fourth

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 175

Monday of every month after the said division shall take
place, in such manner as is provided by law for other counties,
and shall be by their Commissioners directed. The Justices
so named shall meet at the house of Benjamin Wilson in
Tyger's Valley in said county, upon the first court day after
the said division shall take place, and having taken the oaths
prescribed by law and administered the oaths of office to,
and taken bond of the Sheriff according to law, proceed to
appoint and qualify a Clerk, and fix upon a place for holding
court in the said county at or near the center thereof as the
situation and convenience will admit of, and thenceforth the
said court shall proceed to erect the necessary public build-
ings at such place and until such public buildings are com-
pleted, appoint any place for holding courts as they may think
proper. * * * * * * * In all elections of a senator,
the said county of Randolph shall be of the same district as
the said county of Harrison.

When a new county was organized the Governor com-
missioned a number of men to act as "Worshipful Justices."
They were not only Justices of the Peace, but were also a
board of County Commissioners. They held office for life,
except that the Governor might remove them for cause. Vac-
ancies were filled by new men recommended by the Court,
and commissioned by the Governor. The Court was there-
fore self perpetuating.

This was the law of the land until 1852. The senior Jus-
tice in point of service became Sheriff. The Justices were
selected from the influential and land owning class; they
alone were entitled to the title of "Squire" or "gentlemen."
The office often descended from father to son. To be eligible
to vote or hold office in that day, it was necessary to own a
plat of ground of 25 acres and have a house thereon of the
dimensions of 12 x 12 feet or in lieu thereof, a plat of fifty
acres of unimproved land.

From the formation of the government of Virginia until
1794, tobacco was the legal currency of the state, one hundred
pounds being equivalent to one pound in coin. One pound
was the equivalent of 3^ cents.

176 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

By an act of 1788, the county court was for the trial of all
presentments and criminal prosecutions, suits at common law
and in chancer}-, where the sum exceeded five pounds or 500
pounds of tobacco, depending therein and continuing for the
space of six days unless the business should be sooner de-
termined. It had general police and probate jurisdiction, con-
trol of levies, of roads, actions at law, and suits in chancery.
The Justices served without pay, and their number was not
limited by law. A quorum consisted of four. The grand jury
of twenty-four members, sworn for an "inquest on the bodv
of the county" was selected by the Sheriff from the freeholders.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

177

CHAPTER XII.

RANDOLPH COUNTY LAWYERS.

Tl I E members of the legal profession have ever left a mark-
ed impress upon the times in which they lived. They
were, not only the principal factor in framing laws, but were
largely influential in moulding public sentiment, which found
expression in the statutes of the state. Since the organiza-
tion of the county, Randolph has had a bar that would bear
favorable comparison with that of any other county in the
state. Many of the lawyers that became prominent at the
Randolph county bar received their legal training and tute-
lage from such learned and eminent jurists as Tucker, Minor,
and Brockenborough. More than 200 lawyers have been ad-
mitted to practice in Randolph county, a list of whom is given
below, with the date when the name of each first appeared
on the record :

William McCleary 1787

Alexander Addison 1787

Maxwell Armstrong 1790

Adam See 1793

Francis Brook 1793

Isaac White Williams 1794

Gilbert Christie 1795

Patrick Hendrin 1797

Nathaniel Davisson 1798

■Christopher Lamberton 1801

John G. Jackson 1801

Isaac Morris 1802

James Wilson 1803

James Evans 1803

John M. Smith 1804

William Tingle 1805

George C. Davisson 1807

Samuel McMeechen 1809

Nathaniel Pendleton 1809

Noah Lindsey 1809

Philip Doddridge 1809

William G. Payne 1809

George I. Davisson 1809

William Parinlaw 1810

Oliver Phelps 1810

Lemuel E. Davisson 1910

Edwin S. Duncan 1811

Jonathan Jackson 1813

James Gilmore 1813

William Colwell 1814

Thomas Wilson 1815

James McCally 1815

Marmaduke Evans 1915

James McGee 1815

John Brown 1817

Phineas Chapin 1818

Thomas C. Gordon 1820

John J. Allen 1820

Jefferson Phelps 1822

Lewis Maxwell 182S

John Ramsell 1823

Daniel G. Morrell 1823

George C. Baxter 1823

William L. Jackson 1824

Edgar C. Wilson 1825

George J. Wilson 1826

Joseph Lovell 1827

So'omon Wyatt 1827

Blake B. Woodson 1827

Reuben W. Short 1827

Gideon D. Camden 1827

Augustine L. Smith 1828

178

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

W. W. Chapman 1828

W. G. Brown 1829

W. G. Naylor 1829

James H. Craven 1829

William C. Haymond 1830

William R. Crane 1830

Frederick M. Wilson 1830

William A. Harrison 1832

George H. Lee 1832

Beverly H. Lurty 1832

Charles McClure 1832

Robert Wallace 1832

Leroy E. Gaston 1833

Burton A. Despard 1834

John G. Stringer 1834

Cabell Tavener 1834

David Goff 1834

Thomas Brown 1835

William McKinley 1836

Hyre Jackson 1836

Joseph Hart 1837

Wesley C. Kemp 1838

John S. Carlisle 1840

Matthew Edmiston 1840

Bernard L. Brown 1840

John L. Duncan... 1841

Richard M. Whiting 1841

James M. Jackson 1841

Edgar M. Davisson 1842

John D. Stephenson 1842

Charles A. Harper 1843

Alpheus F. Haymond 1843

Uriel M. Turner 1843

Preston W. Adams 1844

Edwin L. Hewitt 1844

Benjamin F. Myers 1845

Samuel Crane 1847

Caleb Boggess 1847

Jonathan Koiner 1847

Phillip M. Morrill 1847

Jonathan M. Bennett 1847

Joseph C. Spalding 1848

Nathan H. Taft 1848

Benjamin Wilson 1850

Philip Williams 1851

Daniel A. Stofer 1852

John N. Hughes 1852

Edwin Maxwell 1852

William H. Ferrill 1853

Thomas A. Bradford 1853

Samuel Woods 1853

Charles Hooton 1853

George W. Lurty 1854

James Bennett 1855

Edgar M. Williams 1855

Claudius Goff 1856

David M. Auvil 1856

David H. Lilly 1858

Thomas B. Rummell 1858

John W. Barton 1858

William H. Gibson 1858

John W. Crawford 1859

Charles W. Cooper 1859

William Ewin 1859

John Kearanans 1860

Spencer Dayton 1863

Thomas J. Arnold 1863

C. J. P. Cresap 1863

Charles J. Pindall 1863

Joseph Thompson 1863

Fontain Smith 1864

James W. Dunnington 1866

W. C. Carper 1866

Cyrus Kittle 1866

Willis J. Drummond 1866

Charles S. Lewis 1866

James M. Seig 1867

Alexander M. Poundstone 1867

John S. Hoffman 1870

Lorenzo D. Strader 1870

Thomas P. R. Brown 1873

A. G. Reger 1873

E. T. Jones 1873

Stark W. Arnold 1873

Gustavus Cresap 1873

Adonijah B. Parsons 1873

J L. Hall 1873

W. G. L. Totten 1873

C. C. Higginbotham 1873

Jasper N. Hall 1875

Henry Brannon 1875

Bernard L. Butcher 1876

William T. Ice 1876

W. B. Maxwell 1876

Philetus Lipscomb 1877

Shelton Leake Reger 1877

William L. Kee 1878

Alston G. Dayton 1879

Cyrus H. Scott 1879

A. C. Bowman 1880

Leland Kittle 1880

H. C. Thurmond 1880

B F. Martin 1881

William G. Brown 1881

John W. Mason 1881

W. W. Haden 1881

John E. Wood 1881

R. S. Turk 1881

John Bayles Ward 1881

A. S. Bosworth 1882

L. S. Auvil 1883

Frank Woods 1884

William E. Clark 1884

E. D. Talbott 1884

James A. Bent 1884

Jared L. Wamsley 1884

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY

179

J. F. Harding 1885

S. M. Reynolds 1885

H. N. Ogden 1887

A. Jay Valentine 1887

W. C. Clayton 1887

Charles W. Russell 1888

Melville Peck 1888

C. W. Dailey 1890

Charles W. Lynch 1890

L. H. Keenan 1892

W. G. Wilson 1893

Geo. B. Scott 1893

Geo. M. Curtis 1893

A. M. Cunningham 1893

W. T. Woodyard 1893

Andrew Price 1894

Henry C. Ferry 1895

W. H. Baker 1895

Lew Greynolds 1895

C. O. Strieby 1896

J. F. Strader 1896

W. E. Baker 1896

H. E. Wilmoth 1896

W. B. Kittle 1896

C. W. Harding 1897

Malcolm Jackson ..1897

J. N. McMullen 1897

E. P. Durkin 1897

Geo. B. Scott 1897

J. C. McWhorter 1897

W. T. George 1897

C. P. Guard 1897

B. F. Bailey 1897

S. H. Summerville 1897

W. T. Ice, Jr. 1898

C. W. Maxwell 1898

F. A. Rowan .1898

B. W. Taylor 1898

W. H. Cobb 1898

Michael King 1899

C. M. Murphy .1899

J. B. Ware 1899

Russell Allen 1902

B. M. Hoover 1902

G. H. A. Kunst 1902

E. A. Bowers 1902

S. T. Spears 1903

J. C. Canfield 1903

W. W. Brown 1903

E. Clark Ice 1903

S. H. McLean 1903

Roy See 1905

W. G. Bennett 1905

Myron Clark 1905

Fred L. Cox 1905

H. G. Kump 1905

E. F. Morgan 1905

Thos. Horner 1906

H. H. Rose 1906

W. J. Strader 1906

D. W. Bauske 1907

D. E. Cuppett 1907

H. P. Camden 1907

Haymond Maxwell 1907

L. M. McClintic 1907

R. H. Waugh 1907

Tucker H. Ward 1907

C. N. Pew 1908

H. S. Rucker 1908

Geo. A. Vincent 1908

T. A. Bledsoe 1909

T. M. Beltzhoover 1909

B. H. Hiner 1909

P. R. Kump 1909

Earl H. Maxwell 1909

J. W. Robinson 1909

R. S. Spillman 1909

R. E. Swartz 1910

F. E. Tallman 1910

John F. Brown 1911

W. A. Arnold 1912

Chas. Richie 1912

C. H. Marstiller 1912

Robert Irons 1913

Geo. W. McClintic 1913

Cecil Crickard 1914

Neil Cunningham 1915

YVm. McLeary, the first attorney to be admitted to prac-
tice in Randolph, was also the first Prosecuting Attorney of
the county. Record or tradition gives little information in
regard to him. He received the munificent sum of $13. 33^
per annum "should the court think it proper to continue him
for that term." In 1791 Mr. McLeary moved to Morgantown
and became the Clerk of the District Court. He was succeed-
ed as Prosecuting Attorney by Thomas Wilson.

180 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Thomas Jackson, who was admitted to practice in 1813.
was the father of General Stonewall Jackson and was a mem-
ber of the Clarksburg bar. He was a son of Edward and
Mary (Haddan) Jackson. His father Edward Jackson, was
a member of the pioneer family of Randolph by that name.

William L. Jackson, who was admitted to the Beverly
bar in 1824. became a General in the Confederate army and
was repulsed in an attack upon the Federal forces at Beverly.

John S. Carlisle, admitted to the Randolph county bar in
1840. was a member of the Secession Convention at Rich-
mond. Virginia. 1861. and was expelled for voting against the
Ordinance of Secession. Mr. Carlisle and W. T. Wiley were
the first representatives of the new state in the United States
Senate.

Alpheus Haymond. admitted in 1843, Samuel Woods, ad-
mitted in 1853, and Henry Brannon, admitted in 1875. were
at a later date, elevated to the Supreme bench of the state.

W. W. Hayden. for a time located in Beverly, and ad-
mitted to the Beverly bar in 1881, was a native of Fincastle,
Virginia. He returned to his native town.

H. X. Ogden, admitted to the Randolph county bar in
1887, for a time practiced his profession in Beverly, but re-
turned to his native town of Fairmont, where he achieved
success and prominence.

Cyrus Kittle, admitted to the bar in 1866. was the grand
father of W. B. Kittle, the present Judge of the Randolph-
Barbour Circuit.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 181

CHAPTER XIII.

PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF RANDOLPH.

When two single cells were joined in one embrace,
Fraternity was born, time never could efface.

Traced in the mammal's maternal instinct wild,
She gave her substance for the welfare of her child.

Man in his cave home first felt another's grief and pain;
He then upward turned his course to God again.

His love toward man He then deigned to reveal,
Conformed man to His image with power to heal.

THAT period of the past, contemporaneous with the inter-
val from the early settlement of Randolph to the present
dav, marked the transition of medicine from an empiric art to
a precise science. Among the epoch making achievements
embraced within that period, may be mentioned vaccination
for small pox, the germ theory of disease, anesthetics and
serum therapy. The physician of the present day deprived of
these aids and instruments in his warfare against disease
would be tempted, no doubt, to hoist the white flag of truce
and abandon mankind to the fates. However, what the phy-
sicians of that period lacked in methods and equipment, was
compensated by faith in his remedial agents and the benevo-
lence with which he pursued his profession. The ethics of
the time forbade the question of fee or reward, and whether
amid the storms and snows of winter, the sultry heat of
summer, in the glare of the noonday sun, or the midnight
hour, when deep sleep falleth upon men, the calls of human
need wrere obeyed with equal cheerfulness into the hut of the
pauper or the palace of the prince. Then, as now, other men
might by proxy, by reason of fortutitious circumstances, re-
lieve the suffering and afflicted, but the physician must give
the sweat of his own brow, the fatigue of his own body, the
toil of his own intellect and the anxieties of his own soul.

The old-time physician, in a degree that cannot be con-
ceived today, was regarded as a friend and advisor of the

182 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

community. To the credit of his time, let it be said that he
seldom was rewarded for his sacrifice and unselfish devotion
to duty by criticism and ingratitude.

The dangers and hardships of the pioneer physician were
augmented by the sparsely settled condition of the country,
with poor roads and few bridges. A night call of thirty or
fortv miles, across mountains, following a bridal path, was
not an infrequent occurrence. He shared with his horse the
fame and affection of the community. So much depended
upon the ability of the animal to carry its rider safely and
swiftly through the forest, over mountain and stream, to the
bedside of his patient. As a rule it was the most magnificent
and stalwart specimen the community could produce: spirited,
sure and Meet of foot, trained to swimming swollen streams,
carrying its rider safely over, while elevated above high
water mark, suspended from his own shoulders, were his shiny
saddle bags.

Because of the distance from the physician, the early
settler often had recourse to home remedies. To "draw out
the fire" apple butter or a poultice of corn meal or scraped
potatoes was applied to burns and scalds. The juice of roast-
ed onions had the reputation of being a specific for croup.
The Virginia snake root. Serpentaria, was the standard remedy
to produce perspiration and abort a fever. Other remedies
were boneset, horehound, chamomile, wild cherry and prickly
ash. As late as 1777 the physicians in Rockingham County, Va.,
were authorized to inoculate persons living within three miles
of a smallpox infected locality. Previous to the introduction
of vaccination, the method of preventative treatment by what
was known as inoculation had been employed. This consisted
of introducing into the system — in a similar way to the
method commonly employed in vaccination — the smallpox
virus from a mild case with a view to introducing the disease
also in a mild form in the person inoculated and thus offering
him protection from a further attack. The testimony of phy-
sicians was to the effect that this practice made a marked im-
pression upon the fatality of the disease. However, it was a
prolific source of the spread of the contagion.

From the fact that a medical societv did not exist in

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 183

Randolph until a recent period no records have been kept and
perhaps several physicians, who should live in local history,
bv reason of the merit of their work and lives, have passed to
oblivion. The sketches given are the result of the best infor-
mation now obtainable, in some instances brief and frag-
mentary :

Robert Maxwell was the first man to locate in Randolph
who made any pretense to the practice of medicine — perhaps.
The early records of the county show that he did not bear the
title of Doctor, yet in 1789 he was appointed Coroner and in
the same year he was surgeon for the county militia, lie was
also a preacher and performed many marriage ceremonies in
the pioneer period. Nothing is known of his education or
parentage and that branch of the Maxwell family is now ex-
tinct in Randolph. He resided about one mile below the site
of Elkins on Leading Creek. He died in 1818.

Dr. Benjamin Dolbeare was, perhaps, the first man in
Randolph to pursue the practice of medicine as a profession.
He was a man of education and superior ability in his pro-
fession. He came to Randolph from Connecticut, the precise
date is not known. He was a brother-in-law to Lorenzo Dow
and that eccentric genius made Dr. Dolebeare's home in
Beverly a place of a few day's rest and recuperation in his
annual pilgrimages as a missionary through the wilds of
America. After practicing a few years at Beverly, perhaps
from about 1810 to 1815, lie removed to Clarksburg.

Dr. Squire Bosworth, student under and successor of Dr.
Dolebeare, was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in
1794. He was born in the same year and in the same county,
and was a fellow student at Williams College of William Cnl-
len Bryant. After his graduation at Williams College Dr.
Bosworth came to Virginia as a volunteer soldier in the war
of 1812. On reaching Parkersburg on his way to Norfolk,
Virginia, the company to which he belonged was disbanded,
peace having been declared. He remained in Parkersburg as
a Deputy County Clerk under a Mr. Neal for two years. He
then came to Randolph to assume the same duties for Mr.
Archibald Earle, then Clerk of the Circuit Court of Randolph
county. Soon thereafter, he married Hannah, daughter of

184 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Peter Buckey of Beverly and with his bride returned to Park-
ersburg and opened an Academy. A few years later he again
became a resident of Beverly and began the study of medicine
under Dr. Dolbeare. At a later period he attended lectures
in Richmond, Ya. For many years he was the only physician
in Randolph and a night trip to Tucker, Barbour, or Webster
was not an unusual occurrence. There is an authentic tradi-
tion that Drs. Bosworth and Dolbeare successfully perform-
ed the operation of tracheotomy nearly a century ago. In his
religious faith he was a Presbvterian and practiced the strict
tenets of an early-day Xew England Puritan. He carried
tracts of a religious nature for distribution in the communi-
ties in which he was called and, in remote districts, would call
the settlers together and hold prayer meeting. He was Clerk
of the Circuit Court two terms and represented Randolph and
Tucker in the Virginia legislature of 1855 and 1856. He died
in the year of 1870 in the 76th year of his age after more than
half a century's active practice in the county.

Dr. Samuel H. Dold practiced his profession in Beverly
from 1870 to 1873. He returned to Augusta county Virginia.
He received his medical education as a student of his brother-
in-law, Dr. J. \Y. Bosworth, at Philippi. and at the Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia.

Daniel S. Haymond, M.D., born in Taylor County in
1838, graduated in the medical department of the University
of New York in 1867. He began the practice of medicine at
Simpson, Taylor County, and moved to Leadsville, Randolph
County, in 1869. He was an active practitioner for a quarter
of a century.

Eugene B. Wilmoth, M.D., son of Oliver and Louisa
Taylor Wilmoth, was born in 1859, died 1895. He was edu-
cated in the public schools at Philippi, Grafton, and the Nor-
mal School at Fairmont. He received his education in medi-
cine at the University of Maryland, where he graduated in
1888. He practiced at Meadowville. Harmon and then located
at Elkins. Although a comparatively young practitioner at
the time of his death, he attained an eminent place in the
medical profession of Randolph.

Dr. George W. Yokum was born in Randolph County

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 185

December 19, 1831, and was the eldest of five children born to
John and Melinda (Kuykendall) Yokum. The paternal grand-
father, William Yokum, was a native of Virginia, On his
father's farm in Randolph County Dr. Yokum spent his early
life and received a limited education in the log schoolhouse
of those days. In 1849 he began the study of medicine with
Dr. William Briggs and in 1853 and 1854 attended lectures at
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In May, 1854, he
began to practice and in 1859 located in Beverly, where he

practiced until the time of his death, He was

well read and a very successful physician. In 1858 he married
Miss Mary C. Ward, a native of this county and a daughter
of George W. Ward. Although not a politician, because of
his wide range of knowledge and strong mentality he was
called upon to serve the people four years as President of the
Countv Court and six years as Commissioner of the County
Court. Dr. Yokum was honored by the party of which he was
a member by being selected as a delegate to the National
Democratic Convention which assembled in Chicago in 1892.

Dr. Oscar Butcher was the eldest son of Baliss G. and
Patsy McNeil Butcher, and was born in Randolph County,
December 24, 1820. He moved to Indiana with his father and
studied medicine under Dr. Creigh, of Delphi, that state, and
later attended medical lectures in Chicago. He returned to
Virginia and commenced the practice of medicine at Falling
Springs, Greenbrier County. He married Sarah J. Beard of
that county May 16, 1849. In 1851, he moved to Green Bank,
Pocahontas County, where he practiced until he moved to
Huttonsville, this county, in 1860. He practiced at Huttons-
ville until the outbreak of the war, when he became identified
with the Confederate army. He was with the advance on
Elkwater and Cheat Mountain, also at Stewart Run and Camp
Bartow and Allegheny Mountain. In declining health for-
several years, he died at Lockwillow, in Augusta County,.
December 21, 1861. Although always in delicate health he-
was energetic and a very successful physician.

Dr. George White located at Huttonville in the early
forties. He was from eastern Virginia. After several years'
practice in that locality he returned to his native county.

186 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Dr. James Hamilton of Bath County, Virginia, located at
Huttonsville, about 1850. He moved to Parkersburg prior
to the outbreak of the civil war.

Dr. Jones located in Huttonsville about the commence-
ment of the civil war. He returned to Virginia during the
progress of that conflict.

Dr. Blair was located at Huttonsville for a short time
subsequent to the war of the rebellion.

Dr. David W. Gibson was burn in Pocahontas County in
1829 and was the son of David and Mary Gibson. He was
married in 1861 to Martha, daughter of Ellen and Jacob
Stalnaker. He studied in Richmond, practiced in Buckhannon
a few years, then located near Elkwater, where he practiced
until the time of his death.

Dr. Charles Rice, son of Rev. John and Susan (Denton)
Rice, was born December 3, 1855. He was educated in the
public schools and at the Fairmont Normal school. He re-
ceived his medical education at the University of Maryland,
where he graduated in 1884. He was married to Miss Georgie
Brown of Louisville, Kentucky, May 9, 1888. He died of
typhoid fever, October 14, 1888 From the time of his gradu-
ation until his death. Dr. Rice was engaged in the practice of
his profession at Kerens, this county. During his short pro-
fessional career he revealed a marked adaptability to his
chosen profession and attained a success that gave promise of
a useful and honorable career.

W. F. Snyder, M.D. was born in Charleston, Virginia, in
1859, son of David H. and Mary Snyder, was married to Isis,
daughter of J. Harvey Woodford. He was educated at the
Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia. After graduating
from the medical department of the University of Maryland,
he located at Huttonville, where he entered upon the practice
of his profession in 1887. He received the Democratic nomi-
nation for House of Delegates in 1888, and died suddenly a
few hours later of an affection of the heart. He had built up
a large practice and was regarded as one of the foremost
physicians of the country.

Dr. William B. Collett, son of Solomon and Edith Davis-
son Collet was born in 1832. Dr. Collett was perhaps, the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 1X7

first physician in Randolph County to receive a diploma from
a medical school. When 23 years old in 1855, he graduated
from the Winchester Medical College, a school then conduct-
ed by Dr. Hunter McGuire, who in later years became one of
the noted surgeons of the country. After the war Dr. Mc-
Guire moved to Richmond, Virginia, and founded the College
of Medicine. Dr. Collett was regarded as a very skillful and
successful surgeon and performed operations before the days
of asepsis and anaesthesia that would do credit to modern
surgery. In 1885, he visited Brazil as a surgeon for a com-
mercial company and contracted an illness which compelled
him to return to his native country. However, he did not
regain his health and died at Beverly in 1860.

Dr. John T. Huff practiced at Beverly, Huttonsville, and
Valley Bend for several years 'in the eighties.

J. C. Irons, M.D., born in Monroe County, Virginia, 1853.
He was educated in the public schools of Monroe County.
Prior to studying medicine Dr. Irons taught school several
terms. He graduated in medicine from the Central University
of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1881. He has practiced his pro-
fession at Huttonsville and in Elkins and is at present phy-
sician for the Wildell Lumber Company at Wildell. He has
been three times mayor of Elkins and was the first mayor
of the city in 1890.

Dr. O. L. Perry, M.D. born in 1861, in Upshur County.
He was educated in the public schools and graduated in medi-
cine from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore
in 1891. He has practiced his profession at Belington and
Elkins.

A. M. Fredlock, M.D. was born 1866, in Maryland ; was
educated in Roanoke College, Virginia, and State University
at Morgantown. Dr. Fredlock took his degree in medicine
from the University of Maryland. He was one of the first
residents of the city of Elkins and was a member of the first
city council. Dr. Fredlock is serving his fourth term as
mayor of the city.

Perry Bosworth, M.D., son of G. W. and Mary (Currence)
Bosworth, born in 1867. He was educated in the public
schools. He graduated in medicine in 1892 from the Balti-

188

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

more Medical College and has since practiced his profession
at Huttonsville. He is also a licensed pharmacist.

t L Bosworth, M.D., son of G. W. and Mary (Currence)
Bosworth was born in 1856. He was educated in the public
schools West Virginia College and graduated from the
1- rnont Normal School in 1881. He graduated in medicine
ro; the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Batanort . m
1889 He was health officer for Randolph County for sexeral
terms. Prior to studying medicine he was for seven years
editor of the "Randolph Enterprise.

Dr A S Bosworth, M.D., son of George W. and Mary
, Currence', Bosworth. was born January 12. 1859. He was ed-
ucated in the public schools and a, the Fairmont Normal
School, where he graduated in 1881 and was elected superin-
tendent of the schools of Randolph County the same year.
He studied law at the University of Virginia and has been ad-
mitted to practice in the Circuit and Supreme courts. He was
eight vears editor of Randolph En.erpr.se. and from 1884 to
1886 was in Nebraska where he was editor and owner o the
cTbertson Sun and .he Trenton Central. He graduated iron
the Baltimore Medical College in 1892 and has practiced a
Bevet and Elhins. He is vice president of .be State Med.ca
Association and was elected delegate to the American Med.cal
Association in 1910.

Dr Thomas B. Crittenden was born in King and Queens
County Virginia, in 1862: was educated in the schools of
a, e'-n.v'and graduated from the medical department of
Georgetown University. Georgetown D. C. ,n 189,. D
Crittenden was attached to the cluneal serv.ee of the En er
^ .Hospital for two years. Since 1897, he has been .£r
Lian for .he Parsons Pulp and Lumber Company at Horton.
Decatur Montony, M.D., was born in 1868 in Pendleton
County. He was educated in common schools and at
Fairmont Normal School ; graduated ... med.e.ne from the
Baltimore Medical College in 1894. He has practiced his
profession at Harmon since graduation.

C H Hall, M.D. was born at Boothsville. W. Va., in
1876 'He was educated in the public schools and at the Fa.r-

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 189

mont Normal School. He graduated in medicine from the
University of Kentucky in 1904. Dr. Hall was a member of
the Elkins city council in 1912-15.

R. R. Mcintosh, M.D. was born in Boston, Massachusetts
in 1875. He was educated in the Boston public schools. He
graduated in medicine from Tufts College in 1897. After tak-
ing his degree, Dr. Mcintosh spent three months in Floaty
Hospital, Boston, one year in St. Johns Hospital, Lowell,
Mass., was two years in charge of eye clinic of Methodist
Hospital, Boston and has taken post graduate work in Eye
and Ear Hospital in New York City. Since 1908, Dr. Mc-
intosh has been a specialist as occulist and aurist in Elkins.

William W. Golden, M.D. was born in Russia in 1866.
He was educated at Vilna and Bielostock. Dr. Golden gradu-
ated from the medical department of the University of the
City of Xew York in 1892. The same year he located in Elkins
and is surgeon of the Davis Memorial Hospital. He is an ex-
President of the State Medical Society and the State Board of
Health and is at present a member of the State Health Com-
mission.

S. G. Moore, A.B., M.D., was born in Barbour County in
1877. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the
State University at Morgantown. Dr. Moore graduated from
the College of Physician and Surgeons in Baltimore in 1906,
and took a post graduate course in the Harvard Medical
School in 1914. He is Professor of Biology in the Davis-Elkins
College, Elkins, W. Va.

Humbolt Yokum, M.D., son of Dr. G. W. Yokum, was
born in 1860. He was educated in the public schools and at
the State University. In 1885 he graduated from the Jeffer-
son Medical College, Philadelphia, Penna. He has been en-
gaged in the practice of medicine at Beverly since his gradu-
ation. He has also been prominent in business circles and is
President of the Beverly Bank.

Dr. L. W. Talbott, son of William Woodford and Sarah
(Simon) Talbott was born in Barbour County in 1855. He
was educated in the public schools, West Virginia College
and Jefferson College. He graduated in medicine at the Uni-
versity of Maryland in 1883. Dr. Talbott took a post gradu-

190 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ate course in New York City in 1894, and located in Elkins
in 1896, where he has since practiced his profession.

William R. Dove, M.D. was born in Pendleton County in
1880. Dr. Dove was educated in the public schools and
Normal School. Prior to studying medicine he was nine
years a teacher. After graduating in medicine from the Medi-
cal College of Virginia at Richmond, in 1907, he located at
Harmon, where he has since had a large and lucrative practice.

Dr. D. P. Buckey was born in 1871, son of Alpheus and
Lizzie (Daniels) Buckey. Dr. Buckey 's preliminary educa-
tion was obtained in the Conference Seminary, Buckhannon
and in the public schools. He graduated at the Baltimore
Medical College in 1894 and entered upon the practice of
medicine at Parsons. After remaining there about two vears
he located at Beverly, where he remained about two vears
and moved to Flemington, Taylor County, as surgeon for a
mining company. After about two years' successful practice
of his profession at Flemington he met an accidental death.

Dr. Stuckey practiced medicine at Helvetia in this county
from 1872 to 1889, a period of seventeen vears. He was a
native of Switzerland and a graduate of the University of
Berne. Before coming to America he was a student in a
Paris hospital for one year. Dr. Stuckey had an extensive
practice and his fame as a successful physician was not limit-
ed to the locality in which he practiced. He died in 1889 in
the 72nd year of his age.

Otto W. Ladwig, M.D. was born at West Milford, W.
Ya., October 11, 1875. He was educated in the public schools
and at the Fairmont Normal School, where he graduated in
1901. He taught school a number of years and was principal
of one of the Clarksburg schools. Dr. Ladwig was graduat-
ed from the Louisville Medical College in 1905. He practiced
for a short time in Harrison and Lewis counties and has been
located at Evenwood, this county, since 1908.

Dr. G. C. Rodgers, son of Wm. G. and Rachel (Campbell)
Rodgers, came to Randolph County in 1902. He was graduat-
ed from the University College of Medicine, Richmond, Ya.,
in 1900. He has taken postgraduate course^ in surgery in

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 191

the hospitals of Philadelphia and has heen surgeon at the
City Hospital since 1907.

Dr. H. W. Daniels, son of Rev. Win. P. and Minerva
(McLean) Daniels, was educated in the public schools and
at the Buckhannon Wesleyan College. Me graduated in medi-
cine at the Baltimore Medical College in 1894. He has heen
a member of the city council and health officer for the city of
Elkins since 1905.

B. L. Liggett, M.D. was born in Braxton County, \Y. Va.,
in 1887. He was educated in the common schools and Wesle-
yan College at Buckhannon. He graduated at the Hanneman
Medical College, Kansas City, Mo., in 1910 and in the medical
department of the University of Maryland in 1914. Dr. Lig-
srett was located at Fort Worth, Texas, three vears and has
practiced his profession at Mill Creek since 1914.

Thomas H. Chaney, M.D. was born in Marshall County,
AW Ya., November 21, 1871. He was educated in the West
Virginia Conference Seminary, Buckhannon, W. Va. He
graduated in medicine from the Starling Medical College,
Columbus, Ohio, in 1896. He commenced practice at Little-
ton, W. Ya. and has practiced at Montrose and Elkins.

Dentists.

Dr. David S. Strock, son of Jacob and Letitia Strock, was
born April 16, 1871 in Champaign County, Ohio. Dr. Strock
was educated in the public schools and at the Ohio Normal
University. In 1899, he graduated from the Pennsylvania
Dental College with the degree of D.D.S. Dr. Strock has
been in active practice in Elkins for eleven years. Dr. Strock
was married on April 23, 1895 to Edith Russell, daughter of
Mahlon and Arabella Russell. Dr. and Mrs. Strock have one
child, Richard Junior.

Dr. John U. Baker, son of Daniel Randolph and Margaret
(Chenoweth) Baker, was born in 1879. He was educated at
the Wesleyan College, Buckhannon. Dr. Baker married Lena
Mae (Bedell) Schuyler. Phillip Schuyler, the ancestor of
that family in America came from Amsterdam, Holland, and
settled in New Amsterdam, New York, in 16S3. Dr. Baker

192 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

graduated from the Baltimore Dental College in 1906, since
which time he has practiced his profession in Elkins. Dr. and
Mrs. Baker have three children : Rosalind, Margaret Chris-
tina, and Daniel Randolph.

Dr. G. C. Baker, son of Eli and Margaret (Sexton) Baker
was educated in the public schools and the Wesleyan College
at Buckhannon, and was graduated from the Baltimore Col-
lege of Dental Surgery in 1906. He practiced his profession
at Gassaway from 1906 to 1908. He came to Elkins in 1909,
since which date he has practiced dentistry in that city.

Dr. Nathaniel Barnard was born in Westernport, Mary-
land in 1887. He graduated from high school and attended
the Davis and Elkins College at Elkins. He received the de-
gree of D.D.S. from the University of Maryland in 1913. After
practicing at Mill Creek for a short time he moved to Elkins
where he has practiced about two years.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 193

CHAPTER XIV.

PORTE CRAYON IN RANDOLPH.

"The rudiments of empire here
Are plastic yet and warm,
The chaos of a mighty world
Is rounding into form."

DAVID HUNTER STROTHER, author and artist, was
born at Martinsburg, Ya., September 26, 1816. He stud-
ied under Sam. F. B. Morse of New York and also spent five
years as a student in Europe. From 1852 to 1861 he con-
tributed to Harper's Magazine a series of illustrated articles
chiefly on Virginia and the South, some of which appeared
in book form under the title of "Blackwater and Virginia Il-
lustrated." At the outbreak of the civil war he volunteered
into the United States service and was appointed Captain,
rising to Brigadier General in 1865. He served as Consul to
Mexico from 1879 to 1885. He died in Charleston, W. Ya.,
March 8, 1888. These sketches appeared in Harper's Maga-
zine in 1852. Though often somewhat exaggerated, they
reveal a people primitive in their habits and aspirations. This
section, because of its mountainous isolation, long retained
pioneer customs and characteristics. However, a half cen-
tury and communication with the outside world by means of
a railroad have wrought marvelous changes and Dry Fork dis-
trict today rivals any other section of the county in all that
goes to make up a moral, cultured and intelligent people.

Porte Crayon summarized the gratification of his visit
to Dry Fork as follows: "It has been one of the supreme en-
joyments of my life to wander among these wild communi-
ties, until I have become familiar with their occupations, in-
stincts and aspirations as one 'to the manor born,' learning
thereby to respect their unsophisticated manhood, and appre-
ciate their simple virtues, and it has sometimes appeared to
me there was a grace in the woodland blossoms, and a flavor

194

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

in the crabbed fruit not to be found in the cultivated gardens
of civilization."

The Country Store.

Adamson's Store.

Although Adamson's store was located at the mouth of
Seneca in Pendleton Count}", it was for years the emporium
for the section described in this chapter and the characters
mentioned were mostly residents of Randolph. The inci-
dents chronicled by Strothers, moreover, were so typical of
the country store of an earlier period that we reproduce the
narrative. Mr. Sylvester Rains, to whom reference is made,
is spoken of by his former employer, Mr. George Adamson,
who is now a resident of Elkins, as having- been a faithful
clerk and an honorable and upright gentleman. As the irony
of fate would have it. Mr. Rains lived a life of single blessed-
ness, heart whole and fancy free and has long since gone to his
reward, an alien and stranger to the joys, charms and delights
of "domestic bliss, the only source of paradise below that
hath survived the fall."

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 195

"The junction of the North Fork Turnpike and the Pack
Horse Road, across the Alleghanies from Beverly, has grown
up a little settlement at this place, consisting of a half dozen
families, with the conveniences of a store, postoffice, black-
smith shop, a schoolhouse, and 1 believe a meeting house and
apple-jack distillery. There was no tavern or regular place
of entertainment, but to atone for this deficiency, any of the
householders were ready to take in travelers as a special favor.

"Having been recommended to Adamson, the proprietor
of the merchantile establishment about a mile up the creek,
we presented ourselves and were hospitably received. Here
we dined and spent the afternoon lounging about the store
and hooking a mess of trout from the Seneca. Adamson is
an exotic, a Scotch Irishman, who had the reputation of being
a shrewd and intelligent trader and a worthy and upright
citizen. He has set up shop at this outpost to barter the knick-
knacks of civilization for the products of the mountains and
to furnish clothes for one class of the natives in exchange for
the coats which they strip from another class.

"The place retains many of the characteristics of those
frontier trading posts, which we read of in the days when the
United States had frontiers and they skinned the aboriginees
as well as bears.

"All sorts of queer people congregated here, bringing in
peltries, ginseng, venison, yarn stockings, maple sugar, home-
made cloth, oats, corn, potatoes, butter and eggs to exchange
for gay colored dry goods, crockery, tin and hardware, gun-
powder, tobacco, snuff, infinitesimal packages of coffee, and
corpulent jugs of whiskey. Some came on foot, others in
sleds, most on horseback, and very few in wheeled vehicles,
the country in general not being addicted to this mode of
transportation. Adamson's fancy salesman is the model of a
mountain beau, in his own conceit at least. Going to the
desk to jot down some notes of our journey, I took up a scrap
of paper with the following inscription legible, amidst a maze
of inky smirks and flourishes: "Sylvanus Rains is my name
and happy is the gal that gits me for a man." Thrice happy,
Sylvester, may your delusions be perennial ! They will help
to keep you amiable and obliging, and enable the mountain

19G A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

belles to make better bargains in calicoes and ribbons. After
this accidental insight I observed Sylvester more closely, and
remarked that when a wrinkled dame, overladen with butter
and eggs, or a sallow matron, encumbered with babies rode
up, she was allowed to dismount as best she could, and might
tumble off if she could do no better, but when a frisky lass,
all bouncing and blooming, appeared coming up the lane,
down went pen, yard stick and molasses jug and out rushed
the gallant clerk all smiles and empressment. Although
either Mahala Armentrout, Susie Mullenix, or Peg Teters
could have jumped from the saddle, or meal bag, to the
ground, without discommoding a flounce and after landing,
shouldered Sylvester and carried him into the store, never-
theless, he must drop everything, run out with a chair and
hold the critter, carrvin^ the basket in and then giving his
roach, and shirt collar each a sly twig as he passed the fly-
specked looking glass, take his stand behind the counter
with, 'Well Miss Susan, what can I have the pleasure of show-
ing you today?' Meanwhile Dame Wrinkle with her bundle
stands waiting and grumbling. 'Take a seat on the tobacco
box, I'll attend you presently, mum.'

'Lookee here man ; T can't stop here all day a foolin,'
I can't, eh, I'm in a desput hurry, I am eh.5

"But here comes Mr. Adamson himself, and the impa-
tient granny prefers to deal with him in person rather than
wait for that fool feller that hain't no manners for old folks,
but only for his likes. So she trucks off to the best advantage
the contents of her basket and gets her measure of calico for
her daughter's dress, two hats for her grandsons, a quarter
of pound of coffee, not forgetting the complimentary paper
of snuff — the invariable conclusion of all trades and pur-
chases in these stores. Meanwhile Sylvester has denuded the
shelves of gay prints, and the drawers of ribbon boxes. He
and his fair customers, mutually inclining over the barrier
of dry goods, continue to discuss business in a more quiet and
rather indirect manner:

" T say, Miss Susan, how's folks over on Dry Fork about
these times?.'

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 197

" 'Well, all about our settlement is middlin' hearty, they
are."

"'Have you been bavin' any fun over there lately?'

" 'Ye— es indeed, we had a tumble good time at Zed.
Kyle's last week, we had, eh. You see Zed had a wool pickin',
he had, and all the gals and fellers was there, they was, and
danced the holen joren night, we did.'

"Sylvester looked radiant at the thought and then with a
sly leer asked in a lower tone, 'was Jess there?'

"Susan's face seemed to have caught the reflection from
the box of pink ribbons which she was examining with sud-
den interest. 'Pshaw, Mr. Rains, what account was it to me
if Jess was there? He mostly hunts with them Kyles and
Armentrouts, he does, and I shouldn't wonder ef he mought
have been there.'

"And he seen you home after the dance now didn't he?'
whispered the clerk with a smart diplomatic wink.

'He done no sich thing' replied Susan, sharply, 'cause
he only come as fur as the Fork with me and Marta and Dilly
and Emily.'

' 'And I'll bet a new dress he carried you across.'

' 'And I'll take the dress jist now off this red and yaller
piece, I will ; for we all waded across, we did, eh, so we did.'
'Mr. Rains, Old Sam Bonner from over the mountain
has just brought in a lot of bear skins. Go out and receive
them. Miss Susan I can wait on you. Have you selected
a dress yet?' "

Soldier White's.

Porte Crayon, in this chapter, narrates incidents and ex-
periences of customs long since obsolete. Goose-picking or
any form of labor which would be a tedious task for one per-
son in that day, was interchanged and a frolic and a dance
was the result. Soldier White, as well as most other charact-
ers referred to by Porte Crayon, have gone to their reward.
Their lives were simple, moral and happy. The innocence and
isolation of their primitive environment gave them a child-
ish zest and appreciation of life that the modern man, striving

198

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

for the material rewards, in order to shine, dazzle and out-
strip his neighbor, can neither enjoy nor comprehend.

"At Soldier White's we found a regular two-storied log"
house, containing half a dozen rooms, which serves as a place
of entertainment to drovers who come from below to sum-

■

SOLDIER WHITE.

mer their cattle on the Fork, and to the occasional traveler
who ventures to cross the wilderness by pack horse road from
Seneca to Beverly, the county seat of Randolph. Here is also
a tub mill, driven by a pretty stream of water, which has
been caught and utilized before being swallowed by the drv
river. This combination of circumstances makes Soldier
White's rather a notable place in the Dry Fork community,
and as the proprietor himself observed somewhat boastfully,
'ther's not a month passes but he sees a stranger of one sort
or another under his roof.' The soldier is personally a man

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 199

worthy of consideration, lie is upward of sixty years old and
for his peculiar opportunities for seeing the world, is more
cosmopolitan in his speech and views than most of his neigh-
bors. He wears shoes habitually, and his residence exhibits
the grade of civilization pertaining to a pack horse road. His
face, including his stack of hair, looks as if east in bronze,
while his square sinewy hands are of the type most frequently
carved and pa'nted by Michael Angelo. His tall, athletic
figure is a model of strength and endurance. Its proportions
are slightly modified at present, owing to an accident. About
six weeks ago, at the saw mill, a log about three feet across
the butt rolled over him, and flattened him out considerably;
but he thinks he is drawing up to his natural shape again by
degrees, and his ribs and backbone getting set back in their
places. To assist Nature in her praisworthy efforts at re-
construction, he distends himself as much as possible by eat-
ing- heartilv, and greases his exterior with bear's fat.

"Having never been in the military service, he cannot
explain how he got the sobriquet of. 'Soldier,' but thinks it was
simply a tribute to his youthful strength and activity, which
were extraordinary. Being a justice of the peace for Ran-
dolph, he is now sometimes more properly addressed as Squire
White, which title of dignity he prefers. The Squire has a
partner who is worthy of him, and a daughter 'rising of six-
teen' who assists in the house keeping.

"Martha White is entirely too pretty to be sketched as a
tvpe of the mountain maiden. A sparkling brunette, lithe and
graceful as a fawn, she is- also, from the habit of meeting
strangers, more affable in her manners than most of her moun-
tain cousins. On being asked if she understood cooking trout,
she replied smartlv, 'You'd better catch a mess hrst and try
me,' indicating at the same time that there was good fishing
just below the mill.

'The Major and myself took the hint, and soon hooked
a pretty string of medium and small sized fish. There were,
however, some magnates we saw moving about in the crystal
water who conld not be tempted by any bait we had to offer.
They would glide out from beneath the cool shadows of the
boulders, approach our traps with a certain majestic delibera-

200

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

tion, sometimes even rubbing their noses against the hooks,
then, as satisfied that it wasn't worth the risk, would retire
contemptuously and let the minnows take a bite, tickled no
doubt at seeing how rapidly the youngsters snapped and
went up. While we were worrying with the sly old rogues,
Martha came down armed with a hickory wand with a running
noose of horse hair attached to the end. With an arch smile

Noosing Trout.

she requested us to hold off a while and let her try her hand.
Creeping like a cat over the rocks, she marked a grand old
voluptuary half dreaming among the shadows. Silently and
gradually dropping her slender noose into the water, she drew
it toward him. As the enticing hair touched his fin, it sug-
gested a slight suspicion of mischief, and he slowly retreated
to a distance of about half of his length, then resuming his
indifference again, lay balanced and immobile, very possibly

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 201

felicitating himself on the superior wisdom which had enabled
him to detect the gilt and feathered shams displayed to de-
ceive the small fry of his race, and the lofty virtue which had
taught him to resist the allurements of casual appetite. The
next moment he was whipped from the water by an invisible
noose of horse hair, and wriggling in Martha's cat-like
clutches, and her plump cheeks pitted with rosy dimples.
Quieting our applause with a gesture, she readjusted her trap,
and presently lifted out another beauty, then another, and
another, until she had captured four of the largest fish we had
seen, one weighing two and a half pounds, and surpassing
any we had taken with the hook. Having thus justified her
own skill, she handed her angle to the Major, at the same time
instructing him how to use it ; but neither he nor I had the
dainty glibness of hand to execute the trick successfully, and
after several awkward failures each, we gave up and returned
to the house. The trout at dinner were as brown as fritters,
and verified another of the pretty maid's accomplishments.

"The afternoon was whiled away with smoking, sleep-
ing, and discoursing with Squire White and his sprightly
daughter. We were given to understand that if we could con-
tent ourselves to remain a couple of days we might partici-
pate in some fun at the house, as there was to be a goose-
plucking, at which all the gay society of the Fork would be
gathered. Mr. Rains, from Seneca, had sent word he would
be oxer. Dilly Wyatt also would be there with her fiddle,
and when she played it would set a cripple to dancing.

"And who was Dilly Wyatt?
'Ye never heard of Dilley?' exclaimed the Squire, with
an expression of gratified surprise as if he had discovered a de-
fect in our education. 'She's our brag gal over here, she is,,
and strangers like to hear about her.'

''Then do tell us her story, to pass away the long evening:
'The Squire thrust his nervous square-cut fingers into
the shock of iron wire which stood for his hair, and after a
preliminarv rustling and scratching proceeded to deliver the
following narrative, which we will endeavor to translate into
smoother English, at the risk of losing something of its origi-
nal naivete and graphic point :

202 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

'"Several years ago there was a young stranger from the
lowlands who was in the habit of spending the greater part of
the summer months roaming about the mountains. What
brought him here was never clearly understood, nor could
the limited fancies of the natives ever suggest a plausible mo-
tive for his frequent visits and long sojourning. Some sup-
posed he might be a drover seeking a lost steer; others reck-
oned he was one of these 'inchimists' who could tell brass
from gold, and was prospecting minerals; a third respectfully
suggested that he must be an engineer locating a railroad — a
nefarious cntrivance to increase taxes and the price of land,
which would scare all of the game out of the country. Shrewd-
er gossips insinuated he was possibly a refugee from the op-
pressions of lowland law or society, whose vague terrors o°-
casionallv chilled the hearts of free-born mountaineers even
in their most secluded retreats.

"But neither the stranger's appearance nor ways seemed
to justify any of these surmises. He was a handsome youth,
with a wild romantic eye and a contract of blonde hair falling
over his shapely shoulders. Reticent of speech and shunning
companionship, he seemed to take delight only in savage and
solitary places. The hunters sometimes met him in the re-
cesses of the forest, tearing through the laurel as if pursuing
or pursued by some wild "varmint." Then he would lie for
hours basking beside a sequestered brook, idly watching the
gambols of the trout or the movements of the uncivilized
creattued that came down to drink and pre}- upon each other.
Again they would tell of his reckless activity in scaling fright-
ful precipices, or how he stood upon the summit of inacces-
sible peaks looking down upon the eagles, always carrying
rifle and haversack, he was so heedless of sport that he was
never seen to bring in any game. With pencils and tablets in
his pockets if • he ever sketched or wrote, the world never
heard of it. A worshiper of Nature, who sung no anthem to
her praise, and laid no votive offering on her altars: an Al-
pine climber who kept no record of the nameless heights he
scaled, or the lonely dangers he encountered, a romantic vol-
uptuary, content to revel in beauty and sublimity without the
courage or ambition to rehearse his emotions before a cynical

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 203

and unappreciative world. A poet without verses, an artist
without works, a dreamer, an idler, a genius, whose life was
a bold defiance, or perhaps an unconscious protest against a
society domineered by mercenary traders in stock ; 'whose
speech is of oxen' or of meaner speculators in stocks, whose
voices are modulated by the rise and fall of gold. As time
wore on he ceased to shun the friendly faces of the settlers,
and was frequently seen warming himself at their hearths,
sitting at their tables, and even sleeping in their beds. They
,vere entertained with the novelty of his conversation, and
imazed at the extent and variety of his conversation, while
he found in their society gratification of his natural longings
for human speech and presence without the risk of intrusion
into the hallowed precincts of his ideal world.

"Dillv Wyatt was the only child of a widower, a stout
herdsman and mighty hunter of the wild valley, whose cabin
stood in one of the most savage and secluded passes. She
was a tall, fine looking girl after the mountain pattern, beam-
ing with health and good humor, and uncommonly smart in
all the learning pertaining to her people. She could cook or
keep house equal to any maid or wife on the Fork. She could
shear a sheep, card and spin the wool, then knit a stocking
or weave a gown with a promptness and skill that were be-
yond rivalry. Besides these feminine accomplishments, she
could fish, shoot with a rifle, swim, or skin a bear, in a man-
ner to challenge the supremacy of the other sex.

"Our wandering artist had frequently stopped at Old
Wyatt's cabin, where, among other attractions, he found an
ancient fiddle with which the proprietor had once amused his
roistering youth. Being an expert on the instrument, he
sometimes tuned it up and played for hours, to the great de-
light of father and daughter. When the men were gone Dilly
took up the fiddle herself and being one of those who could
turn a hand to any thing, she soon learned to play several
airs upon it. Next time the visitor returned she surprised
him with her new accomplishment, and he, perceiving that she
had both taste and will to learn, undertook to initiate her
regularlv in the mysteries of the art. His time and teachings
were not wasted, for she learned with surprising rapidity, and

204 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

soon developed very decided talent.

"Thenceforth it might have been observed that the er-
ratic stranger was less frequently heard of in the wilderness,
and oftener seen in the vicinity of old YVyatt's sociable dwell-
ing, while Dilly's acquaintances were annoyed with her in-
creasing absent mindedness and continued humming of danc-
ing tunes, both in and out of seison. But it was natural
enough, when wearied with his owi • lonesome ways, the teach-
er should find a solace in the comp my of so apt and willing a
pupil, and that a mountain maiden, amidst her rude surround-
ings, should become enamored of her gentle and engaging art.
Fortunately there were no meddlesome gossips at hand to
suggest that it might be the artist instead of the art.

"One morning, after giving Dilly her musical instruction
as usual, the artist stored his haversack with some cold vic-
tuals, and promising to return by evening, struck across the
dry river and disappeared in the forest. The cottagers were
so accustomed to his eccentric courses that his failure to ap-
pear at the appointed hour excited no surprise or uneasiness.
Next day was stormy. A windy tempest swept the woods,
and the rain came down like a water-spout. During the night
that followed the storm swelled to a hurricane. Tree-tops
were hurled throng-h the murkv air like thistle down, and the
forest shrieked and howled for the downfall of the tallest
chieftain. The YVyatts sat beside their lowly hearth glaring
with pine knots, and occasionally enveloped in clouds of
smoke and ashes, to which the father responded defiantly with
counter-puffs from his root pipe, while Dilly concealed any
vague uneasiness she might have felt behind her darling fiddle.
Soon the old man removed his pipe, and pricking his ears as
if to catch some special note of the tumultuous chahivari
without, exclaimed, 'D'ye hear that, Dilly?'

"She answered, with a nervous start, 'What is it, daddy?
Did you heary anybody?'

"He motioned silence, and her straining ears became
presently aware of a low rushing sound distinguishable amidst
the fitful voices of the tempest by its steadiness and con-
tinuity. As they listened there was a sudden swelling of the
storm, followed by a crash so enormous and stunning that it

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 205

seemed as if the whole magazine of thunder bolts had blown
up at once. Old Wyatt started to his feet, staring wildly up-
ward at the roof of his trembling cabin, while the daughter
snatched a flaming brand and rushed out into the darkness.
By the flash of her torch she saw near at hand a freshly up-
heaved wall of earth and roots higher than the chimney top,
and stretching away across fences and cabbage patches lay
the prostrate body of a mighty hemlock tree which had long
overshadowed their humble dwelling.

" 'Come back gal; cried the father, resuming his pipe
and his stolidity at once. 'The Fork is up, and the big hemlock
is down, so we might as well go to bed.'

"The second morning dawned through clouds and mists,
which hung on hillsides and tree-tops like sloppy rags put
out to dry. Tudus was quietly folding up his flaccid wind-
bags, and Aquarius resting languidly on his empty watering
pot, but the dry river was full from bank to bank, and career-
ing like a mad bull. After breakfast the old man mounted
his nag and rode away toward Soldier White's to gossip anent
the storm and look after a grist he had carried there some
days before. Dilly was left alone to tend her household af-
fairs and nurse a vague uneasiness about her absent friend.
The day passed wearily enough between spinning, fiddling,
and strolling up and down the stream, vainly listening for
some signal call, and straining her eyes into the depths of the
opposite forest. Late in the afternoon she was startled by
hearing a distant rifle shot, and hurrying up the stream a
half mile or more she discerned through the midst the figure
of a man emerging from the wood on the further shore. Flush-
ed with the sight, she gave a ringing halloo which evidently
struck the wanderer's ear, and was answered by a feebler
shout, about like a cry for help. Then the figure tottered for-
ward, sunk, and disappeared among boulders and thickets.

"Agitated with mingled hopes and fears, she repeated her
calls again and again, awakening the echoes away up in the
mountains, but no response from any living voice. Then, as
if struck with a sudden thought, she hurried back to the house,
and in a short time returned clad in a scanty linsey gown,
bare armed and bare footed, with a stout package tied firmly

206 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

on the top of her head. Her eyes sparkled, her lips com-
pressed, and there was resolution expressed in every feature
and in every movement. Scanning the savage torrent above
and below, she hesitated for a few moments, as if instinctive-
ly calculating its force and speed, she nimbly descended to
the stream, flung herself into the raging water. A few bold
strokes brought her to the mid-current, which swept her away
light as a feather in a whirlwind.

"The girl had evidently underrated the power of the
stream, but she was a strong and confident swimmer, and in
spite of the resistless downward sweep, continued to strike
vigorously for the further shore, holding her head erect, as
if intent on keeping her bundle dry at all hazards. Amidst
the heaving and boiling of the mad current her downward
course was so rapid that it was difficult to estimate her trans-
verse progress; but as she approached a bend in the river, just
at the head of a succession of falls, it might have been noted
that the color forsook her cheek, and her efforts became more
lmrried and spasmodic. Suddenly, as if caught up in a water
spout, she was heaved over a submerged boulder and dashed
headlong into the foaming eddy below. For a moment she
was lost to sight, then her head popped up through a bed of
yellow froth, blinded and gasping. Clearing her eyes with a
quick movement of her hand, she saw that the bend and cur-
rent had helped her on her way, and she was almost in reach
of shore. Another desperate effort and she succeeded in
grasping a trailing root, by which she drew herself to land.
Once more on firm footing she felt for the package on her
head, and finding it still in place, hurried up the bank to search
for the object of her solicitude.

"Nearly a quarter of a mile above her landing place she
stumbled upon the body of a man lying prostrate among the
bushes. Beside him was a rifle, dropped from the nerveless
grasp ; his clothes were drenched and torn in shreds ; his up-
turned face, half hidden by the tangled hair and battered hat,
was white and motionless as death. On the brave girl's
face the dawning smile of recognition was suddenly quenched.
With trembling hand she loosened the bundle from her head,
and laying it on a rock, dropped on her knees beside the body.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 207

A few moments after she started from the cold embrace with
a countenance all radiant with joy, and quickly opened her
precious package, displayed its contents on the sward — a cold
corn pone partially soaked in muddy water, some greasy slices
of fried venison, and a small flask of liquor.

"Dilly clapped her hands and laughed, 'Not dead yit, by
a long sight, but only jist half starved. See what I've brung
ye, my pretty boy !'

"But at the sight of the bread and meat the languid eyes
closed again, as if in token of refusal. Then, tenderly en-
circling the youth's clammy head with her plump arm, she
raised him to a half sitting posture, and in coaxing tones half
whispered, 'Now this ye won't refuse, I'm sure.'

"Then followed the resonance of an oscillatory smack, as
his pallid lips met those of the devoted girl's brandy bottle.
The timely stimulant assisted exhausted Nature across the
narrow bridge which led from death to life. The patient open-
ed his eves, sat up alone, and consented to nibble a little at
the corn bread and venison. In the meantime the indefatigable
nurse had collected a heap of wood, and by means of the rifle
kindled a blazing fire, and warmed a portion of the food to
render it more savory and wholesome.

"Drink, food and fire had so far restored the wanderer
that he was enabled to give a brief account of his absence.
He had strolled many miles away toward the summit of the
back-bone, where he was caught in the storm. Having eaten
up his provisions, he undertook to return, fell from a ledge
of rock and sprained his ankle, and thus crippled and half
starved, he had spent two terrible davs in endeavoring to drag
himself back to the cabin. Now he required only shelter and
rest ; but the stream was still impassable, and from his sprain-
ed ankle and general exhaustion he was incapable of locomo-
tion. To a city belle the situation might have appeared hope-
less; but Dilly 'was not born in the woods to be scared by
an owl.' In a marvelously short time, with moss and hem-
lock twigs she had made a bed which, under the circumstances,
might have been esteemed luxurious. A canopy of evergreen
boughs sheltered it from the sky, while a blazing fire dispelled
\i n wholesome damps and diffused an air of cheerfulness

208

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

around. The remnants of the meat and drink were placed be-
side it, and the hollowed surface of a convenient rock con-
tained several gallons of fresh rain water to quench the in-
valid's thirst, if required. Regarding these arrangements with
a smile of satisfaction, the mountain heroine cut short a grate-
ful speech by ordering her patient to lie still and get a good
night's sleep. 'By morning,' said she, 'the Fork will be down.

Goose-Plucking.

and dad'll fetch ye over to the house on his horse.' The stars
were shining when she took leave, and walking some distance
up the stream to find a longer sweep of unbroken current, she
boldly took the water again, and reached the cabin in safety.
"Next morning the river bed was nearly dry, and by sun-
rise the invalid had been transferred to old Wyatt's cabin. He
had slept profoundly, and was refreshed ; but his ankle was
fearfully swelled, and it took a fortnight's nursing to set him
fairly on his feet again. When the time came for the stranger
to leave he pressed a pretty sum of money into old Wyatt's
hand, and thanked the daughter with a warmth and fullness
of speech which ought to have been satisfactory ; but there
was at the same time a reserve and even stateliness of man-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 209

ner which rather wounded the warm-hearted girl. He went
and returned no more."

' 'And did he go off and forget such a girl as that?' Ex-
claimed Hick indignantly. 'By thunder I'd have married her!"
'Very chivalric,' suggested the Major; 'but in your case that
might he thought poor return for a heroic service.'

''Tomorrow she will be at the goose-plucking, and we.
will tarry to see the heroine, and dance to her music'

"Next morning we were out early, trying to earn our
breakfast before we ate. After breakfast while the materials
for the frolic continued to arrive, 1 received a private invita-
tion from Squire White to look in at the goose picking. As
we slyly peeped between the logs of the barn the whole in-
terior seemed to be a whirlwind of laughter, screeching, and
flying feathers, so that it was hard to distinguish the pluckers
from the plucked. ( )ccasionallv as the downy clouds sub-
sided one might catch a momentary glimpse of groups of
worthy of the antique scenes that may be carved and paint-
ed more elegantly and easily than described — and as such we
commend them to the Praxitileses and Photogeneses of mod-
ern art; and for a more practical account of the subject we
must refer our readers to those good old-fashioned folks who
raise geese and sleep in feather beds.

"Dilly Wyatt at length arrived, carrying her fiddle in a
muslin bag slung over her shoulders. She was a buxom lass
with grand black eye and regular features ; but we were dis-
appointed in her appearance, as we usually are by the per-
sonal presence of famous people. Nevertheless our mountain
heroine showed the ameliorating influences, in dress and man-
ners, of her association with the Muses.

"After the midday dinner our party was swelled by a
number of young bucks from the neighborhood, and the danc-
ing commenced. The movements at first were rather shy
and constrained, but a few rounds with the inspiring strains
of Dilly's music warmed their blood and started the wheels
of gavety to buzzing. We had all done our best in playing
the agreeable to the ladies to avoid offending the jealous sus-
ceptibilities of their native beaux, and had nearly got through
the afternoon without an accident.

210

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

"With his usual luck however. Cockney narrowly escaped
getting us in a row. Delighted with the opportunity of show-
ing off his strong points he had been exceedingly gay and
prominent in the dance, but becoming wearied and -disgusted
with the succession of jigs, reels and square figures, he asked
Miss Roy if she understood the round dances. That young
lady signified her willingness to shake a foot to any tune that

The Dance.

could be started, and promptly took her place on the floor be-
side the gallant. Encircling her waist with his arm, Augus-
tus politely requested the fiddler 'to please give us a polka.'
The mystified musician was silent; and the equally mystified
partner, red as a trout about the gills, delicately attempted
to elude the embarassing embrace. He, entirely absorbed with
the idea of electrifying the assembly with his graceful whirls,
reiterated his call for a polka, mazourka, waltz or any round
dance, and persisted in holding on to his retreating partner.

"At length a tall, iron-bound forester, who had been
squirming with jealousy, forgot his hospitable politeness, and

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 211

laying- his heavy hand on Cockney's shoulder, exclaimed,
'Lookee here mister. Onr gals won't stand huggin' on sich
short acquaintance, they won't, eh.' Augustus was himself
electrified, and the house buzzed with mingled laughter and
indignation. The Major, prompt in all social engagements
and emergencies, stepped forward and explained the situation.
Cockney apologized to the lady and the company, and the big
woodsman made amends for his rudeness by a grasp of the
hand so friendly and penitent that it brought tears to the
recipient's eyes."

Shooting Contest.

Shooting matches in which the prizes were usually turk-
eys, were frequent occurrences in the earlier history of the
county. So much depended in those days on the skilful use
of the rifle, not in the way of self-defense only, but in obtain-
ing the necessities of life, also, that the skillful marksman was
a hero in the community. Porte Crayon here relates his ex-
perience in a contest for markmanship with Tom Mullenix:

"Observing that Jess Teter had conceived an extravagant
admiration for a neat little powder flask I carried, T took oc-
casion to present it to him. In the fullness of his gratitude he
took me aside, and in a whisper, informed me that he was the
best rifle shot on the Fork. I had heard as much.

'Well, now, said he, wouldn't you like to learn the
secret.'

" 'Then there is a secret?'
'Yes, I can learn it to you in a day, so that you can beat
any of these fellers.'

"Jesse's proposition accorded so exactly with my humor
that 1 eagerly accepted it. We got our guns, and privately
slipped off together to the woods, where after exacting a
promise not to reveal his trick, he proceded to put me through
a course of instruction.

"Whether there was any virtue in his teaching, or whether
the mountain air had cleared my eye and braced my nerves,
it is true that from a very indifferent marksman I presently
became very expert with my rifle and after driving the center

212 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

three consecutive times at sixty yards, I expressed myself
satisfied, and my tutor slapped me on the shoulder and said
emphatically, 'You'll do."

"After a most friendly leave taking, we mounted and
rode down the valley toward Soldier White's. About two
miles below we stopped at the cabin of Tom. Mulleriix (com-
monly known as Hunter Tom.), hoping to have a chat with
him on the subject of hunting in these mountains. He was
barely civil but not at all communicative. He told us very
frankly that he never missed killing »ame when he went out
alone, but he never had any luck when these gentlemen hunt-
ers went along. They had too many patent fixings and talked
too much. With his long flint-lock rifle, munitioned with an
ounce of powder, and with from three to five bullets wrapped
in greased buckskin patching, he could always kill more game
than he could carry home. Some fellers pack so much am-
munition and cold victuals that they broke down before they
found any game, and couldn't hit anything if thev happened
to see it. For his part he couldn't see any sense in all these
percussion traps. As the hunter made these disparaging re-
marks, he cast a contemptuous glance at my ornate German
rifle, which being observed by my companion, drew a laugh at
my expense.

" 'Air. Mullenix,' said I, 'what do you value that bear
skin at, which I see hanging upon the porch?"

"That skin," replied Tom. 'mought be worth about four
dollars over at Franklin.'

"Very well. Xow I'll bet you five dollars in cash, against
that bear skin that with this percussion grim-crack of mine,
I can beat you shooting three best shots out of five, line
measure, at any distance or in any way you mav choose.

"Tom eyed me for a moment as he would probably have
stared at a rabbit suddenly turning- and trving to bite him.
His astonishment presently resolved into a fit of contemptu-
ous laughter ; but as I had already put up my money in the
Major's hand, and showed by my manner that I was in ear-
nest. His cupidity got the better of his contempt.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 213

" 'Well mister,' said lie, taking down and proceeding to
load his long gun. "Hits not becoming of me to disappint a
stranger in a little innocent sport, and if you kin beat me
shootin", that bar skin's your'n !' and the hunter's face warmed
with a smile of sinister benevolence.

'•'Laureate, said the Major, aside, '1 wouldn't give the
churlish dog a chance to make five dollars so easily.'

"I answered, carelessly, there are always two sides to a
question, and I've taken quite a fancy to that bear skin.

" 'Laureate,' whispered Dick, 'try to make a good chance
shot, and if you beat him I'll give you my horse.'

"Dick's horse was a borrowed one, but his good-will was
none the less appreciated. Meanwhile the preliminaries had
been arranged — two best shots out of three, at sixty yards.

"The Major stepped off the distance and Dick placed the
target against the tree. The mark was a circle of white paper
about the size of an ancient half-dollar, tacked upon a black-
ened board. We were to shoot alternately, and tossed a cop-
per for the first fire. The hunter won it, and took his position
accordingly, observing as he did so, 'I reckon I'll have to shoot
a little wild to give you a opening.'

"As Tom raised his rifle and leveled it at the mark all the
slouchiness of his manner disappeared, and he settled into a
pose of iron firmness. As his rifle cracked, the target fell for-
ward on its face, and Dick ran at full speed, followed by the
others at a more dignified pace, to verify the shot.

"The ball had cut the left edge of the paper with half its
diameter. Mullinx chuckled. "There's a leetle wind," said he,
"and I forgot to allow for it ; but ther's the opening I promised
ye.'

"It was a eood shot, however, and mv friends looked blank
enough as I took my stand. Their evident anxiety annoyed
me. and for a moment a sense of responsibility unnerved me.
Then I shut my eyes, recalled my lessons, and concentrated
my mind on the work in hand. My shot parted, the target
rattled and fell. The next moment Rattlebrain waved it tri-
umphantly over his head, shouting, 'Centre!' It was impos-
sible for Dick to be exact. It was not a centre shot, but the

214 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

whole ball was in the paper, beating Mullenix by half a dia-
meter.

' 'Can you do that again?' whispered the major.

" 'I think I can do better.'
'Then we've got the rascal to a certainty,' said he, rub-
bing his hands with hopeful satisfaction.

"The gleam of benevolence had departed from Mullenix's
face, and he proceeded to load his piece with a precision quite
the reverse of his former half insolent carelessness. He
waited for a lull in the almost imperceptible breeze, and when
he took aim the steadiness of his attitude was statuesque.

"Dick Rattlebrain looked as if he would burst during the
process, and the result of the hunter's shot did not relieve
his anxiety in the least. The paper was perforated just be-
neath the central tack — so close that we wondered it had not
been knocked out.

"Tom looked vengefully benevolent again.

" T reckon, mister, T hain't left ye much of an opening
this time.' He said this with a wicked chuckle.

"My friends looked grave again. Dick desired to give
me some advice, but the Major restrained his zeal and per-
suaded him to keep quiet.

"On coming up for my second trial I had a more severe
struggle with my nervousness than at the first. The open-
ing was indeed a narrow one, and then my success had aroused
hopes which must not be disappointed. I succeeded, however,
in attaining the requisite coolness, and fired.

"The board fell forward as usual.

"Dick Rattlebrain gave a convulsive start, and then step-
ping up to me said, 'By thunder, Larry, I haven't the heart
to look at it!' But the Major presently approached with the
board in one hand and the paper in the other. The tack was
gone, and there was a clean hole exactly through the center
of the mark. Dick uttered a triumphant yell, and nearly suffo-
cated me in his rude embrace.

" 'Come Dick; having won, we must triumph like gentle-
men.'

"Tom Mullenix eyed me like a basilisk.

" 'Well mister, the bar skin's your'n ; you've won two, and

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 215

hit's not worth while to waste the third shot. Powder and
lead is too scarce up here to waste on nothinV

"I sincerely sympathized with the mortified mountaineer;
so that when he came formally to deliver the hear skin 1 po-
litely attempted to decline it. But the flash of his eye and
sternness of his manner quickly showed that I had made a
mistake.

" 'Mister,' he said, '1 don't like any man to fool with me.
The skin is fairly your'n and yon must take it.'

A rousing swig from the Major's flask was more appre-
ciated than my fanciful magnanimity, and we took leave with
all due civility."

Killed a Wolf.

Porte Crayon here relates his experience in killing a wolf.
His former rival in a shooting match, Hunter Tom Mullenix,
showed feelings of umbrage and resentment by Porte Crayon's
competition in the wolf industry. Crayon says :

"As I stood to gaze I saw something moving on a ledge
thirty or fort}- feet above, and at length perceived two fiery
eyes glaring downward, and my blood was stirred by a long-
drawn savage howl.

"I again remembered Jesse's secret, and steadying my
rifle against a hemlock tree, took aim and fired. With a
brushing sound, followed by a crash, the body of a large wolf
fell into the thicket nearly at my feet. Neither my shot nor
the fall had quite killed the savage beast, which writhing and
snarling in its death agony, bit frantically at its wounds, sticks,
leaves and everything within its reach. Staining the rocks
and moss with its life blood, its struggles gradually subsided,
and at length, with a spasmodic shiver, it stretched itself out
and died. Drawing my knife, I approached the body, and
discovered that the creature was a female, and evidently had
a young family somewhere up the cliff. But this was no time
to be speculating about game, so I was contented to take the
scalp as a trophy, and congratulating myself that I had prob-
ably broken up a whole family of robbers, proceeded to re-
load my piece.

216 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNT?

"On the following morning, as had been agreed, we left
Soldier White's and started down Dry Fork to visit Roy who
lived at Red Creek and to seek such other sports and ad-
ventures as the country afforded. As we passed the mill we
recognized several acquaintances among a group of moun-
taineers, and stopped to exchange civilities and take leave.
The Major politely offered his flask and drinking cup which,
notwithstanding the early hour, was honored dulv as it passed
from hand to hand with. 'well, here's good luck, men.' My
quondam antagonist. Tom Mullenix. however, put aside the
cup with a scowl and. to the surprise of evervbodv. retired sul-
lenly into the mill. The bear skin I had won of him was
thrown over my saddle, and it occurred to me that the sight of
this trophy had again recalled the mortification of the shoot-
ing match. Anxious to leave good feeling behind us. I asked
Jesse Hedrick to bring Tom out that we might drink and
shake hands, burying all animosities before we parted.

"'Jesse laughed at the suggestion of the shooting match
and then looked ^rave.

"'Hit's not that he minds; sure Tom's eot too much
sense for that. But he's mighty riled about somebodv a
killin' of his wolf, and he 'lows hit was one of you men as
done hit. and he swears vengeance aoqn ve. he does."

"At the mention of wolf I was electrified, and drawing
Jesse aside, asked him earnestly if Tom had lost a pet wolf

lately.

" "\\ ell not exactly that.' he replied, 'but ve see Tom
makes his living pretty much by huntin'. and there's a middlin'
high bounty on wolf scalps : and so you see when he finds
out where an old she has a den. instead of killin' of her he
plays sharp and waits till she has young uns. and as they
begin to come out and play around he kills them off and gits
the premium on five or six scalps every season. So ye see
when a feller finds the haunt of an old wolf he lays claim to
her. and takes care of her. and she brings him a smart little
income every year. And for any man to go and kill another
man's wolf is a big spite, and a fightin' business, it is. And
somebody killed Tom's wolf up here by the tunnel dav be-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 217

fore yesterday, they did; and he's dangerous mad about it,
so he is.'

*' 'And who does he blame?' I asked in breathless curi-
osity.

"'Well.' said Jess, 'he lays it on that teller there — Mr.
Rattlebrain — but he says he hain't sure of hit quite, or else
there would a been trouble.'

"Now here were revelations and explanations and per-
gonal responsibilities which admitted of no shirking or hesi-
tation.

"Taking Jesse by the arm, I entered the mill and cor-
nered Mullenix so that he had to stand up and look me
square in the face.

"'Mullenix,' 1 said, 'somebody killed your wolf, I under-
stand."

"'Yes, they did and took her scalp,' he replied grimly,
'the sneaking hounds, which is jest about equal to highway
robbery; and dura him, I — I — '

" 'Well suppose the man who did it will tell you he
meant no wrong, not being- aware of your claim on the ani-
mal. and will give you up the scalp and a fair reimbursement
for any further loss you may sustain in the matter?'

" "Well, mister, that would look like the feller meant
fair," said Tom, 'and if he does that I'd bear him no grudge, I
wouldn't.'

"I then handed Mullenix the scalp and put ten dollars into
his hand, and ere he fairly recovered from his astonishment
we mounted and rode off."

A Crowded House — Domestic Bliss.

The proverbial hospitality of an earlier period did not
countenance the refusal of entertainment to any one. The
rooms might be few and small, the table might be dearth of
tempting viands, yet their all was shared with others with un-
stinted liberality. Porte Crayon herewith narrates amusing
incidents of the entertainment of his party in houses of two
rooms :

"As candles and kerosene lamps are reckoned among the

218 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

superfluities in these parts, we lit our cigars and pipes and
repaired to the starlight of the front porch. Then bedtime
was announced, and being ushered into the proprietor's cham-
ber, a single bed of moderate dimensions was assigned for
the accommodation of our party ; we could arrange it to suit
our convenience. 'As thick as three in a bed,' has become a
by-word : four in a bed surpasses the limits of proberbial phil-
osophy, and being naturally addicted to seclusion, I yielded
my share of the couch and took the floor with a saddle for my
pillow and a blanket for covering.

"Sleep, like a loving lass, needed but a brief wooing. Ex-
cept in romances virtue is not always rewarded, and in spite
of doctor's promises — fresh air, exercise, and a temperate sup-
per— will not insure the coveted repose. Mine was inter-
rupted by nightmare dreams of creeping through subteranean
passages to escape from robbers and finally plunging head
foremost into an abyss of mud where I stuck, panting and
suffocating. In my struggles I awoke, realizing the peculiar
sensations which had doubtless suggested the dreams and
which filed me with real alarm. There was a rumbling in my
ear like the buzzing of a spinning wheel : my head and face
were so hot and oppressivelv heavy that I could not rise from
the saddle. Disengaging one hand from the blanket, 1 felt
the upper side of my face and head covered with a squirming
mass of soft, warm fur which, upon further exploration, de-
veloped into five kittens, cuddled in a loving heap and pur-
ring- with contentment. 1 was far from satisfied with the ar-
rangement and especially aggravated at having my rest dis-
turbed, so I arose suddenly to a sitting posture, unceremon-
iouslv tumbling the happy family out of their bed. They
clung together, mewing and striving to climb back to their
comfortable position. In my wrath I seized one by the back
of the neck and slung it vindictively at the bed occupied by
the ancient couple. Considering the darkness, my aim was
good, and the mauling missile struck the pillow with a rip
which stopped the old man's snoring.

''Scat! scat! Wife, here's one of these darned kittens
jumped on the bed."

"'Well, fling it out. can't ye!' she muttered impatiently.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 219

Having- found it in his fumbling, he dropped the animal
quietly on the door, whence it quietly trotted back to its fel-
lows on my blanket. Meanwhile I directed another toward
the same point.

" 'Scat ! scat !' cried a shriller voice.

" 'You i ild fool, yev'e flung the nasty critter right in my
face, ye hev now !' and giving the kitten a spiteful toss, she
sent it over the bed where my three comrades lay. I heard a
stifled snickering in that direction, and presently the shot wras
returned, flying with outspread claws, and tearing as it ric-
ochetted across the coverlet. Then as the wrathful dame
rose to grope for the offender, 1 let fly a plumper which car-
ried away her nightcap.

By this time there was a general tumult of scatting, maul-
ing, pounding on the wall, and calling for the lights. As the
patriarch got up to unbar the door I pitched the rest of my
amunition on his back, where the little wretches clung with
all their claws.

"'Wife! wife!' he exclaimed, as he danced and stumbled
around the room, 'I believe the devil himself is got among
these cats. Take 'em off! scat! take 'em off!'

"This suggestion of the presence of the evil one aroused
the dame's superstitious fears, and redoubled her calls for
Betsy and a light, declaring that she would not touch one of
these creeters to save the old man's life.

"The door was at length unbarred and Betsy came to the
rescue with a pine torch. The light revealed the stranger
guests all sleeping the sleep of untroubled consciences, and
the five tempest tossed kittens wandering around mewing in
concert.

" 'Them's all our cat's kittens,' said Betsy, 'all white and
tortoise shell; the pretty little dears.'

" 'Haint there a big black cat somewhere around?' asked
the old woman in a tremulous voice. The favorite mask of
the Arch Enemy was nowhere to be seen.

" 'Take 'em out ! take 'em out !' growled the patriarch, 'the
devilish things hev well nigh scratched the shirt off me back.'

"Betsy smiled audibly. 'Well daddy, ye've always achavin'

220 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

of somebody to scratch yer back, and maybe hits done ye
good, haint hit?'

" 'Git out with you and yer cussed cats," cried daddy. 'I'll
drown the whole misbegotten litter tomorrow, so I will."

"At this direful threat Betsy snatched up her pets, and
smothering her youthful felines in her apron, went out with
the light, and there was peace until morning. At sunrise the
door opened again, and a pleasant, manly voice called out,
'Men git up and rinse your countenances; folks is goin' to git
up !'

"Breakfast went off very civilly, and on observing the
clawed faces of the seniors I felt a twinge of remorse for my
deeds of darkness. Dick Cockney and Betsy, however, had
got up a triangular giggle which broke out at the slightest al-
lusion to cats. At length the matron, with a severe and sig-
nificant glance toward her junior guests, observing that she
had never knowed them kittens to behave so before, and she
had a suspicion there mought be wuss devils in the house than
sich as come in the shape of black cats."

:*: ^c ;Jc ;|: * * ^ i'fi $z ^ =!=

Another incident and experience of Porte Crayon's is
here reproduced as explanatory of old time customs. Owing
to their isolation, primitive ways were still in vogue at the
time of Strother's visit :

"The cabin was so small and the flaring pine knots re-
vealed such a multitude of good humored faces, that we be-
gan to entertain some doubts whether we should not have
done better to have remained and enlivened the bachelor's
lonely hall and helped him cook his solitary supper. Still
everybody, young and old, seemed glad to see us, and there
was no hint of crowding or inconvenience. The family con-
sisted of husband and wife, four sons, two grown to manhood,
and a daughter between ten and eleven years old, a grandson,
and a hired boy. The other domestics were three hounds and
a cat with kittens.

"The cabin was eighteen by fifteen feet in the clear, di-
vided into two rooms. Although limited in space, all the san-
itary arrangements in regard to ventilation had been espec-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 221

ially attended to. The cabin built of logs, turkey pen fashion,
were only partially chinked with moss and still more imper-
fectly tapestried with male and female garments, bunches of
dried herbs, with deer and fox skins stretched on the outside.
This open space did away with the necessity and expense of
glass and had several other advantages, as we afterward as-
certained. We could study the planets at ease, and tell the
character of the weather without the inconvenience and awk-
wardness of getting up to look out of the window. Jess also
informed us that of nights when he wasn't sleepy, he could
chaw tobacco and spit through the cracks without siling the
old man's floor, which was a pleasing indication of filial con-
sideration. We experienced the fact that a family of nine
persons with four guests could be comfortably fed, enter-
tained ,and lodged in such apartments, but during our sojourn
of several days, we never understood how it was done.

"The head of the family was a native of the mountains,
about fifty years of age, with good features, light hair and
complexion, broad chested and powerfully built. His coun-
tenance was amicable and his manner frank and obliging ;
consenting to everything that was said with the grace of a
courtier, and closing every sentence with an echo and twang,
a habit common to the whole region — -ye-as ; oh ye-as, I
wouldn't wonder now, ah, ye-as indeed, as — at the same time
confusing you with the universality of his admissions, com-
ing back with opinions of his own which he sustained with
true courtier like tenacity.

"Dick Rattlebrain attempted to pump him on the sub-
ject of politics, and to our astonishment, knew neither the
names of the opposing political parties nor the names of their
presidential candidates.

' 'Oh,' exclaimed Dick somewhat airily, 'I see vou do not
read the papers up here.'

' 'Mister, yer'e mistaken, I tell ye ye are, ah ; we do git
newspapers up here we do, ah. There was a feller fetched one
up here last summer and my wife read it to me, she did, ah.
Wife look if that newspaper haint in the chest under the head
of the bed.'

" 'No, it haint, for ye know ye lent it to Zed Kyle. Hits

222 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

three weeks today and he haint fetched it back yit. But he ort
to have fetched it back, he ort, fer I heerd of him having of hit
up to Teter's last Sunday a readin' of hit to them, and he
mought git hit tore, so he mought, and hit will be many a day
afore he sees another one.'

"Madam it seems can read, and the only book larnt mem-
ber of the family. She showed me the only specimen of Guten-
berg's art, except the newspaper, in the settlement, an ex-
tremely aged and well thumbed copy of a Methodist hymn-
book. In this precious volume, she assured me, she had read
a hymn or two every Sunday for thirty years, and kept it up
regular for fear she mought forgit how.

"Having thus established a sort of literary fellowship with
the old woman, I seated myself on the chest while she was
getting dinner and continued the conversation. This was not
difficult for after the sluices were fairly opened, my share
consisted in listening. She opened on polemics and naming
all the religious sects and denominations she had ever heard
of. gave each a passing punch or two, quite intelligently de-
livered. As they all fared alike in her hands, I at length in-
quired what church she belonged to.

" 'None.'

"Here was something of an anomaly. A Christian of no
sect, pious on her own hook; unguided except by the tradi-
tions of her childhood and the greasy old hymn book, yet as
far as my observation extended her conscience and practice
were as near the purest Christian standard as if she had all
her life enjoyed the advantages of a five thousand dollar pew
under the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Plumpcushion in the great
and enlightened city of Hubadub. And so the worthy dame,
on hospitable deeds intent, brimming over with smiles and
amiability, went on baking, boiling and stewing and frying
her viands and her neighbors, until everything was done up
and dished up. By the time our meal was over, Jess then
announced that there was to be a yoking of a pair of steers
over at Xelson's that afternoon, and offered to introduce us to
the sport if we were so minded. Augustus requested him to
oblige us by describing the nature of the diversion.

' 'Oh/ said Jess, 'they have tumble times specially if

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

223

the steers happen to he fractious. They hook and kick and
heller, run off and jump fences, and sometimes break a fel-
ler's leg ; they mostly cripple themselves or something else
afore they are done with it. Then they hev a keg uv licker
and there is some as thinks there is right smart fun in it.'

On the whole we thanked Jess for his civility and de-
clined going. He did not appear much disappointed and care-
lessly observed that he would slip over to Tom Mullenix's
and proceed to put some extra touches on his toilet. Jess

A Flirtation.

was evidently the pet and pride of the family and it was amus-
ing to observe the general solicitude in his toilet. The old
woman picked at his wraistcoat and shirt collar ; the little sis-
ter Jane tugged his coat tails straight ; Job pulled the wrinkles
out of his breeches legs, while the boy Harvey pulled them
up again to make the red morocco boot tops show. Jess got
off at length and soon after his father, excusing himself to us,
followed in the same direction. About the middle of the after-
noon the old man came back with an unusual solemn coun-
tenance, shaking his head as he announced the doleful tidings :
"'Wa-al wife, they've had orful bad luck down to Mul-

224 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

lenix's. That brindle cow of hisn had two desput fine calves
this mornin', and they're both of 'em dead, yes, they are, ah.
The old woman she just sot down and cried, she did, and
Suze, she was afeard to milk her, ye-as she wuz-ah, till Jess
he drew her up in a corner and hilt her by the horns, then
Suze she milked her, she did, and they wuz two tumble fine
calves, yes, indeed, they wuz, so they wuz, ah.

A Sylvan Golgotha.

A Sylvan Golgotha was Porte Crayon's apt and poetic
description of a "deadening;.'' The appellation applies today
to the entire forested area of the country. The destruction of
our forests has been an improvident blunder and an economic
sin. Large areas have been denuded, suited neither for graz-
ing nor agriculture. Porte Crayon gives this description of an
"improvement" as it impresses his poetic imagination.

"Savage and lonely as are these vast tracts of primitive
forests, there is yet a virgin freshness in their haunts ; a varietv
and affluence of natural life which relieves their monotony and
charms away their solitude. But on issuing from the pillared
aisles and verdant archways of nature's temples into a moun-
tain, 'improvement,' one feels as if approaching the lair of
some obscure and horrible dragon. Death, desolation, and
decay are visible on every hand. Skeleton forests, leafless,
lifeless, weather-beaten, and fire blasted ; heaps of withered
branches, split rail fences, warped and rotten ; in the midst of
a space from whence every green thing and graceful form has
been banished. "

Trout Fishing.

"Thus am I teased, my vision pleased,
Commingling sport with idle wishing,
Time moves as if his wheels were greased,
While I half dreaming sit, half fishing.

Strothers and his party are now on Gandy, a tributary of
the Dry Fork, and at that time teeming with the vermillion

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 225

spotted, salmon tinted trout. The explosion of a stone be-
neath a fisherman's coffee pot and frying pan, while not on
the program, when it does occur, adds zest and excitement to
piscatorial pleasures and largely compensates for the loss sus-
tained. In this case it supplied an interesting incident' for
Porte Crayon's pen and pencil. Me gives the following nar-
rative of the ludicrous incident:

"Pleased with the idea of cooking our own meal, we soon
raised a fire whose smoke circled above the tree tops. I was
detailed to make the coffee while the Major superintended
the preparation of the fish. The Major discoursed with the
assurance of an expert and sliced his middling with a certain
affectation of nicety which impressed his assistants with the
idea of his profound science. Laying a cut on one of the heat-
ing stones, he exclaimed, 'It is just in trim. Now boys bring
your trout !' The scullions hastened to obey the order, each
bearing a tin platter with a dozen selected fish. The chief
picked them off with a forked stick and daintily arranged them
side by side in the bubbling fat.

"A tall mountaineer, on an absurd little horse, who had
stopped in the road to look at us, now approached with gaping
countenance and outstretched neck, as if deeplv interested in
the proceedings.

' 'My friend, won't you 'light and take dinner with us?'
'No,' said the fellow bluntly, 'I don't want none of your
victuals, but I'm cur'us to see ye cook them fish.'

' 'Just wait a moment then,' said the culinary director
with a complacent wink, 'and you'll see something to surprise
you.'

"At the word there was an explosion like that of a ten-
pound shell : a fragment of a cooking stove whizzed by the
spectator's head and a hot trout slapped him in the face.
'Heavens,' he shouted, 'I've seen enough !' and putting whip
to his horse he started up the road at full speed. Then in
quick succession there followed a whole battery of explosions,
sending stones, fish, firebrands and tinware in every direction,
some cutting through the branches of the adjacent trees, oth-
ers sizzed into the stream ; the horses broke loose and scam-

226 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

pered away : the cook and attendants dodged behind trees or
scampered after the horses. I deftly dropped behind a syca-
more log, creeping under the opposite side where I remained
during the bombardment. I had been watching the coffee,
and after the firing ceased, ventured to raise my head above
the log parapet to look after my charge. Its place was vacant,
but I saw the pot overturned near the margin of the stream
some twenty yards off.

'Hello, Laureate! Are you all safe and do you think it's
over ?'

"I saw the Major peeping from behind a large maple
with a queer expression as if he was undetermined whether
to laugh or swear. As the fire was pretty well scattered and
not a trace of our cooking visible, I thought we might leave
cover and so we did.

"Searching land and water and branches of trees we
recovered most of our tinware, dented and battered, but still
available for all purposes. The actual loss consisted of two
dozen trout and a boiler of coffee. Nevertheless, it behooved
the Major to explain the result of his cooking arrangements,
which he did in this wise: 'For the sake of shape and clean-
liness we selected stones from the bed of the stream ; they
contained cells filled with water, which as they became heated,
generated steam and blew everything to pieces.' Agustus
plucked up :

'I've seen flying fish in Barnum's museum, but scarcely
expected to see flying fish in the mountains.'

'Pepper away, pepper away, young gentlemen ; but mind
your work and don't let the dinner lag. Without accident
you will find the receipt a good one.'

"Said I, 'It will appear in the cookery books as a ''saute"
of trout with capers, furnished by an officer of the United
States Artillery."

'Bravo, Laureate! excellent! Now,' said the annoyed
chief.handing me a hot fish on a biscuit, 'put that under your
ribs and then comment on mv receipt."

"The hot stones had been again heated and cooked our
fish very quietly. Their flavor fully justified the Major's

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 227

boasts, and we made a delightful meal, all the merrier because
of the preliminary misadventure.

"Expanded by a dozen or more of his brownest specimens,
a stiff toddy and an excellent cup of coffee, the culinary chief
answered all our rallying good naturedly and even kept his
temper when the Dry Forker stopped to gibe at us on his re-
turn.

" 'I say men, is them fish done yit?'

"Dick asked him how he liked the specimen he got.

" 'It was something hotter than I ginerally take 'em,'
said he facetiously, 'and then instead of bread ye gim me a
stone, which is agin scripter, haint hit?'

" 'Oh, you didn't quote scripture as you rode off a while
ago,' rejoined Dick. 'But get down and we will give you the
receipt for cooking the fish which you can teach to your wife.'

" 'Excuse me mister, my wife don't want none of your
receipts for blowin' up things; she's got a way of her own
which is more convenient.'

' 'Come neighbor, 'light and lie sociable,' said the Major,
holding up his Mask in an insinuating manner.

'Now that's the kind of talk I understand,' said the na-
tive, dismounting and joining our party. 'Gentlemen, here's
luck!" and when the drink was swallowed he seated himself
upon the log and laughed long and loud. 'Well for all the
world I'd like to know what was in them devlish stones.'

"The Major explained everything to his satisfaction, in
return for which he told us his name was Roy. We engaged
to visit him and said he, as he took leave, 'I'll show you how
to cook 'em without blowin' your head off.' "

Poetic Pleasure.

Anyone who cast a line in "Gandy's amber waters" a
half of a century ago will appreciate this stanza of Strother's:

"On an afternoon in blooming June,
I sit by Gandy's amber water
'Mid vernal bowers and scented flowers,
And trout in plenty to be caught there.

A ~ ffil W OLPH COU>~

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230 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ers and Warwick seized their guns to go to help the families
exposed to the Indians farther up the river; they neglected to
barricade the fort, and so the little boy and the two little girls
went out to the branch. While the little boy was washing
the blood from his face, caused by his nose bleeding, the little
girls became frightened and without saying anything, ran
back into the fort and left him alone. When his bleeding-
stopped he went back and found the fort barricaded. The
Crouch brothers had been met by some persons from the lower
fort, took them along, and so their wives and children were
left to themselves at Warwick's to make the best they could
of a perilous situation.

"When the boy, Andrew Crouch, came to the fort, he
heard his aunt in a loud voice giving orders as if there was
quite a number of men in the fort, when in fact the force con-
sisted of three white women and one colored man and wife
and some little children. An Indian climbed to the roof of the
fort buildings after night and set it on fire. The colored man
put it out. Then the stable was fired. The black man said
they should not burn the horse. He went out and carefully
approached the place. Seeing an Indian by the light he shot
at him and let the horse out and safely returned to the fort.
He dared the Indians to come on and as there seemed to be
but two or three that showed themselves it seems they were
not disposed to storm the loud but little garrison.

"When the barn burned down and became dark the col-
ored woman insisted on leaving the fort and giving the alarm
farther down. She was allowed to do so and the next day
the men came up and moved all farther down. Then the
little boy and eight of the others went to bury the dead, Lewis
Kinnan and the three children. He says no one wept nor
did any feel afraid while the funeral was going on.

"After the burial the men seeing no signs of Indians be-
lieved they had withdrawn and so they disbanded. But late
in the evening an Indian killed Frank Riffle near where the
Brick Church stood and burned two houses not far away be-
longing to James Lackey. Major Crouch remembers seeing
Lackey not long after the battle of Point Pleasant. He could
show the rock on which Lackey sat and sung a war song,

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 231

then very popular among the mountaineers, in commemor-
ation of the hattle of Point Pleasant, that eventful struggle.

"In subsequent years "Sir. Warwick moved to Ohio and
rewarded his faithful negro with his freedom for his gallantry
in saving the fort and the property. This Mr. Warwick was
the ancestor of the ( )hio Congressman of that name who, rep-
resented McKinley's district a few years ago."

Lackey's war song was as follows:

Let us mind the tenth day of October,

Seventy four, which caused woe,
The Indian savages did cover

The pleasant banks of the Ohio.

The battle beginning in the morning,

Throughout the day it lasted sore
Until the evening shades were turning down

Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Judgment proceeds to execution,
Let fame through all ages go,
Our heroes fought with resolution
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Seven score lay dead and wounded

Of champions that did face the foe,
By which the heathen were confounded

Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Elk Horns Found.

In 1913, Chas. Collett discovered Elk horns in a cave
or sink on the Pritt farm, at the head of Files Creek, that
measured eight feet from tip to tip. The horns and the skele-
ton of the animal were in a good state of preservation. The
sink was about twenty feet deep and its sides almost perpen-
dicular. The animal probably fell into the cave and perished
from the fall or starvation.

The Formation of Randolph County.

Randolph County was formed from Harrison by act of
the Virginia Assembly, October, 1786. The following is a
copy of the act :

I. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEM-
BLY, That from and after the first day of May one thousand

232 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

seven hundred and eighty seven, the county of Harrison shall
be divided into two distinct counties, that is to say, so much
of the said county lying on the southeast of the following'
lines, beginning at the mouth of Sandy Creek, thence up Ty-
ger's Valley to mouth of Buchanan river, thence up the said-
river including all the waters thereof to the Greenbrier line,
shall be one distinct county, and called and known by the name
of Randolph and the residue of said county shall retain the
name of Harrison. A court for the said county of Randolph,.
shall be held by the justices thereof on the fourth Monday
in every month after the said division shall take place, in such
manner as is provided by law for other counties and shall be
bv their commissioners directed. The justices to be named
in the commission of the peace for the said county of Randolph
shall meet at the house of Benjamin Wilson, in Tyger's Val-
ley, in the said county, upon the first court day, after the said
division shall take place, and having taken the oath of office
to, and taken bond of the sheriff, according to law, proceed to
appoint and qualify a clerk, and fix upon a place for holding
courts in said county, at or as near the center thereof as the
situation and convenience will admit of : and thenceforth the
said court shall proceed to erect the necessary public build-
ings at such place, and until such buildings be completed to
appoint any place for holding courts as they may think proper.
Provided always, That the appointment of a place for holding
courts, and of a clerk, shall not be made unless a majority of
the justices of said county be present, where such, majority
shall have been prevented from attending by bad weather, or
their being at the time out of the county, in such case the
appointment shall be postponed until some court day when
a majority shall be present. The Governor with the advice of
the council, shall appoint a person to be first sheriff of the
said county, who shall continue in office during the term, and
upon the same conditions, as is bv law appointed for other
sheriffs. It shall be lawful for the sheriff of the said county of
Harrison to collect and make distress for any public dues or
office fees, which shall remain unpaid by the inhabitants there-
of at the time such division shall take place, and shall be ac-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 233

countable for the same in like manner as if this act had not
been made. The court of the said county of Harrison shall
have jurisdiction of all actions and suits in law or equity, de-
pending before them at the time of said division, and shall try
and determine the same, issue, process, and award execution
thereon.

II. AND BE IT FURTHER EXACTED, That the court
of the said county of Harrison, shall account for and pay to
the said county of Randolph, all such sums of money as shall
or may be paid by the inhabitants of the said county of Ran-
dolph, toward defraying the expense of erecting a court house
and other public buildings in the said county of Harrison. In
all elections of a senator, the said county of Randolph, shall
be of the same district with the said county of Harrison.

The Whiskey Insurrection.

In the year of 1794, there occurred in the Monongalia Val-
ley and adjacent territory, a series of acts in resistance to the
Federal Revenue Laws, known in history as the "Whiskey
Insurrection." Upon the recommendation of Alexander Ham-
ilton, Secretary of the Treasury, Congress passed an Act, tak-
ing effect June 30, 1791, that there should be paid on every
gallon of spirits distilled in the United States, duties ranging
from 9 to 25 cents. There was great dissatisfaction with
this provision and Western Pennsylvania determined to resist
its enforcement, and endeavored to secure the co-operation of
Monongalia, Ohio, Harrison, and Randolph counties. This
conflict between government officials and the distillers has
found expression in violence and bloodshed in the mountain
districts of the Southern States for more than a century. The
incident is of historical interest as it was the first test of the
efficiency of the general government in dealing with the oppo-
sition to the enforcement of Federal laws as well as indicating
the trend of public sentiment toward the nullification of such
laws by sections and states.

Governor Lee, of Virginia, sent a circular letter to Hon.
Thomas Wilson of Morgantown. The following reply was
borne to the Governor by an express rider. William McCleary

234 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

or McCreerv was the first prosecuting attorney of Randolph
Countv and married Barbara, daughter of Michael See.

Colonel McCreery's letter to Governor Lee was as fol-
lows :

Morgan Town, Ya.
28th of Aug. 1794.
Sirs :

Your express arrived here today with sundry letters ad-
dressed to the care of Thomas Wilson, who happened not to
be at home; thinking it right (in this alarming time) I re-
ceived the papers & Passed a receipt for them. Mr. Wilson
will be at home tomorrow & no doubt will send them instantly
forward to their address.

We are all in this, Harrison & Randolph counties in
Peace & also Ohio with some exceptions ; a state of neutrality
is all we are able to support, and indeed, we are in this town
much threatened now for lying still by our Powerful neigh-
bors. However I trust we will support it until the Govern-
ment takes steps to bring aboutPeace — the Commissioners
who attended at Pittsburg, by order of the President of the
United States, and also by the order of the Governor of Penn-
sylvania, but nothing has vet transpired that can be relied
upon ; a Committee of 12 men from the insurgents met them,
and it is reported that no terms but the repeal of the Excise
Law will be accepted by the People — however this is only re-
port. I am in beast Sir.

Your Excellency's Obedient Servant,

William McCreerv.

Mr. McCreery had become a citizen of Monongalia sev-
eral years previous to this incident.

Randolph Representatives in the Assembly of Virginia,

1782-1865.

Below are given the names of the Representatives, Del-
egates and Senators from Randolph County in the General
Assembly of Virginia from 1782 to 1865, a period of eighty-
three years. The senatorial and delegate districts were often
changed and the name is given of the Delegate or Senator of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 235

the district of which Randolph was a part. This, also, applies
to the representatives from Monongalia at the time the pres-
ent territory of Randolph formed a part of that county.

Senators.

Thomas Wilson 1793

John Raymond 1798

Thomas Wilson 1803

Phillip Dodridge 1806

James Pindall 181 1

Noah Zane 1814

Geo. I. Davisson 1818

Edwin S. Duncan 1822

Chas. S. Morgan 1826

John J. Allen '. 1830

' Chas. S. Morgan 1831

Richard Watts 1833

Francis Billingsley 1836

William J. Willey ._ 1839

John S. Carlisle 1847

Albert G. Reger 1852

Lewis Steenrod 1854

Albert G. Reger 1856

John Brannon 1858

Delegates from District Including Randolph.

Benjamin Wilson 1782

Geo. Jackson 1786

Johnathan Parsons 1788

Johnathan Parsons and Cornelius Bogard 1789

Cornelius Bogard and Abraham Claypoole 1790

John Haddan and Cornelius Bogard 1792

John Haddan and Abraham Claypoole 1793

Robert Green and Cornelius Bogard 1795

Robert Green and John Chenoweth 1796

Adam See and John Haddan 1798

William B. Wilson and John Haddan 1799

236 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Adam See and William B. Wilson 1801

John Haddan and William B. Wilson 1803

John Haddan and Mathew Whitman 1804

William Wilson and William Ball ....1805

William Wilson and Jacob Kittle 1806

William Marteney and Nicholas Gibson 1807

Adam See and William Marteney 1810

William Marteney and James Booth 1811

Edwin S. Duncan and William Marteney 1813

John M. Hart and William Marteney ----- 1814

Adam See and William Marteney ...1815

Adam See and William Daniels 1816

Isaac Booth and William Marteney 1817

Samuel Ball and Isaac Booth ..1820

Daniel Hart and William Marteney 1821

Isaac Booth and William Marteney 1822

Isaac Booth and Adam See 1823

William Daniels and William Marteney 1824

Robert Crum and William Marteney 1826

William Daniels and Isaac Booth 1827

Joseph Hart and William Daniels 1828

Benjamin Dolbear and Adam Myers 1829

Joseph Hart and Isaac Booth 1830

Joseph Hart 1831

Isaac Booth 1833

William Marteney ..1835

William C. Haymond 1837

Henry Sturms ...1838

Samuel Elliott 1841

Henry Sturms 1843

Washington J. Long 1846

Henry Sturms 1847

David Goff 1849

Chas. S. Hall 1850

Henry Sturms 1851

John ' Taylor 1852

John Phares 1854

Dr. Squire Bosworth 1856

Jacob Conrad 1858

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 237

Samuel Crane 1860

B. W. Crawford 1864

John and Benjamin Wilson represented Randolph County
in the Constitutional Convention of 1788.

Adam See represented Randolph County in the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1830.

John N. Hughes was a delegate from Randolph to the
Constitutional Convention which met at Richmond, Ya., in
1861. He was succeeded by Jacob W. Marshall, after his
death on the Rich Mountain battle field.

Josiah Simmons represented Randolph County in the
Constitutional Convention which convened at Wheeling:, No-
vember 26, 1861. This was the convention to form a consti-
tution for the new state.

First Auditor of West Virginia from Randolph.

Joseph Hart, Milton Hart and W. J. Drummond were the
delegates from Randolph to the first State Convention of
Union men, held at Parkersburg, W. Ya., May 6, 1863. Sam-
uel Crane, of Randolph County, A. I. Boreman, of Wood
County, and Peter VanWinkle, also of WTood, were presented
to the convention by their friends for the nomination for Gov-
ernor. Xo nomination was made on first ballot as neither as-
pirant received a majority of the votes cast. Before the sec-
ond ballot was taken, Mr. Crane withdrew his name and Mr.
Boreman was nominated. Mr. Crane was then unanimously
nominated for State Auditor.

Samuel Crane, the first Auditor of West Virginia was
born in Richmond, Ya. When a mere boy he moved to Tuck-
er County, where he grew to manhood. He married a lady
near Richmond, Ya., and moved to Randolph County. He
practiced law at Beverly until the breaking out of the Civil
War, when he became active in politics. His wife died in
\\ 'heeling in 1863 and in 1866 he moved to Missouri to as-
sume the management of the family and property of a de-
ceased brother. Soon after going to Missouri he entered the
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church.

238 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

The Vote of Randolph for State Capitol.

On the first Tuesday in August, 1877, there was held
throughout the state an election on the question of the per-
manent location of the state capitol. The places voted for
were Martinsburg, Clarksburg and Charleston. In that con-
test Randolph cast 859 votes for Clarksburg, 31 for Charleston
and 2 for Martinsburg. The vote of the state was : Charles-
ton, 41.243; Clarksburg, 29,942. and Martinsburg, 8,046.

Elections.

The vote of Randolph County, March 26, 1863, to accept
or reject the amended constitution of the new state was as
follows: For ratification 167, Against ratification 13.

In the election for state officials held May 22, 1863, Ran-
dolph County cast 78 votes for F. H. Pierpoint for Governor,
76 for Daniel Poselv for Lieutenant Governor, and 65 votes
for James S. Wheat for Attorney General.

Members of the Legislature.

The following persons have represented Randolph County
in the Legislature since the formation of the state:

Cyrus Kittle 1863

Jesse F. Phares 1865

Chas. W. Burke - 1867

James W. Dunington 1868

John A. Hutton 1869

Lemuel Chenoweth .1871

John A. Hutton 1872

John Taylor _ 1873

Elihu 1 lutti m 1877

C. J. P. Cresap 1881

A. B. Parsons 1883

Harmon Snyder 1885

J. F. Harding 1887

W. L. Kee 1889

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 239

J. B. Finley 1891

G. H. Daniels 1893

J. F. Harding 1895

T. P. R. Brown .' 1897

J. A. Cunningham .1899

W. G. Wilson -1901

Lew Greynolds - 1903

Warwick Hutton - 1905

J. F. Strader 1907

James W. Weir 1909

John T. Davis 1911

E. D. Talbott - -1913

lames W. Weir - 1915

Tn the second Constitutional Convention held at Charles-
ton in 1872, J. F. Harding was a delegate from Randolph and
Tucker.

Beverly Threatened to Secede.

Prior to the adoption of the constitution of 1851. none hut
freeholders could participate in the elective franchise in Vir-
ginia. All offices were appointive except members of the Leg-
islature, overseers of the poor and town trustees. It was
claimed that the territory west of the mountains received very
unfair treatment in the distribution of power. The proposed
constitution of 1830 gave one hundred and three members of
the House of Delegates to the counties east of the mountains
and thirty-one to the territory west of them. Randolph was
much opposed to the new constitution and a public meeting
was held at Beverly, March 10, 1830. In the discussion of the
merits of the proposed constitution at that meeting, it was
stated that in one company of seventy-four soldiers from a
county of Virginia in the war of 1812, only two had the right
to vote. The Beverly mass-meeting adopted the following res-
olution :

Resolved, That we would sooner commit to the flames

240 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

the new constitution and vote for a division of the state than
to vote for its adoption.

The opposition west of the mountains availed nothing and
the constitution was ratified by a vote of 26,055 for and 15,563
against. However, the opposition of the people resulted twen-
ty years later in the adoption of the constitution of 1851, which
granted the right of suffrage to all white males of the state
of more than 21 years of age, and made most offices elective
instead of appointive.

Fined Four Hundred Pounds of Tobacco.

The first superior court for the territory west of the
Alleghenies, under the Act of the Virginia Assembly of 1788,
was to be held at Morgantown, May 4, 1789. This district
embraced Randolph, Ohio, Harrison, and Monongalia Coun-
ties. No court was held on that date owing to the attendance
of an insufficient number of grand jurors. Robert Maxwell,
Cornelius Bogard, Peter Cassedy, Edward Jackson, and
George Jackson had been summoned from Randolph but failed
to attend. The court fined each four hundred pounds of to-
bacco. However, at the September term of the court these
fines were remitted.

Tory Camp Run.

Big and Little Tory Camp Runs are the only two objects
in Randolph that perpetuate memories of the Revolution. Lit-
tle Tory Camp Run is a tributary of the Dry Fork on the east
side about a mile above the town of Harman. Big Tory Camp
Run is a tributary of the same stream on the same side about
two miles farther south and a short distance below the village
of Job.

Tory was a term that designated one who favored the
mother country. The revolutionist was called a Whig. The
feeling between these two classes of citizens was very bitter
during and for many years subsequent to the Revolution.
Midnight raids of neighbor against neighbor in which murder
and arson were the objects sought were frequent occurrences

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 241

ill communities in which there was a division of sentiment.

Virginia enacted drastic laws against the Tories. Many
left the country and sought protection under the flag of Great
Brittain. A number from the counties of Hardy, Hampshire
and Pendleton entered the wilderness and established camps
in the eastern part of Randolph. A few years ago evidences
of their encampments were still visible.

The First Settlement on Lower Middle Mountain.

The first man to make settlement on the lower Middle
Mountain, below the Seneca Road, was Jacob W. Car. In
1874, he married Mary .Ann Kerens and with his bride, for
Tetter or worse, to carve out their fortunes from the vir-
gin forests, located many miles from human habitation.
However, the fates favored their adventurous spirits and they
have a large landed estate to transmit to their children in a
community of churches, school-, stores and railroads. Twelve
children have blessed their union, all living except one son,
French, who died in his fifteenth year. Children living:
James H., Albert L., Asa Martin, Enos, Jacob, Job, John,
Hulda Jane, Barbara E., and Eliza Jane.

Neighbors in Pendleton and Randolph.

The ancestors of several prominent families in Randolph
were friends and neighbors in Pendleton. The Caplingers and
Harpers who were pioneers in Randolph were close neighbors
in Pendleton before locating in this county. These two fam-
ilies have been on terms of neighborly intimacy in Randolph
for a century. The same can be said of the Wards, the Col-
letts and the Phareses. Representatives of these families were
constables appointed by the Governor in the organization of
Pendleton in 1787. They were Gabriel Collett, Johnson
Phares and William Ward.

Abraham Springstone.

Springstone Run, emptying into Leading Creek about a

242 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

mile northwest of Kerenes, is supposed to have received its
name from the fact that it lias its source in the mountains,
where the springs flow from stony beds. However, this sup-
position is erroneous as it was named for Abraham Spring-
stone, who settled on its banks in the pioneer period. Little
is known of his antecedents or decendants. He married Mary,
daughter of William Innis, in 1797.

Imprisonment for Debt.

Imprisonment for debt was a legal barbarity in vogue
during the earlier years of the history of Randolph. The
court records ran as follows :

Thereupon came A. B. and undertook for the said de-
fendant in case he be cast in this suit, he shall pay and sat-
isfy the condemnation of the court, or render his body to
prison in execution for the same, or that he, the said A. B.
u on Id do it for him.

Trustees of Moorefiald.

Moses Hutton, Johnathan Heath and Geo. Rennock were
the trustees of the town of Moorefield in 1777. Moses Hutton
was, perhaps, the son of Abraham, who was the first of the
Hutton famly to come to America. Geo. Rennix was sheriff
of Randolph in 1808 and captain of militia in 1798. Whether
it was the same Geo. Rennix is not known. Ashael Heath
was sheriff of Randolph in 1803 and lieutenant of militia in
1799. The name Rennock has been changed to Renix.

'.-,-

Early Church History.

In 1748, at Frederick, Md., a log church was built by the
settlers who were German reformers. Among the members of
this church were names of families identified with the settle-
ment of Randolph County : Lingenfelders, Buckeys, Kuntzs,
Witmans, now Whitman and Weiss, now Weese.

A Lutheran church was built at Monocacy, Md., in 1747.
Among the members of this congregation were the Ebberts,

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 243

Jenkins, Myers, and Couradts, afterward spelled Conrad ;
Poes, Whites, Wilhides, Hedges, Wiers. William White
moved from Monocacy, Md., to the Shenandoah Valley in
1734. Probably his decendants settled in the valley in the vi-
cinity of Hadden's Fort.

Elkins Weather Bureau.

This station was established January 1, 1899. Albert Ash-
enberger was in charge from that date until October 31, 1903.
Louis Dorman succeeded him and was in charge until June
1, 1911, when he was succeeded by Harry M. Howell, who
remained in charge until November, 1914, when upon his own
request he was transferred to the Philadelphia station and
later to Washington, D. C. Mr. H. H. Jones, of Tennessee,
has been in charge of the station since the transfer of Mr.
Howell. Mr. Jones is ably assisted by Jesse Robinson, a Ran-
dolph County young man. Mr. Howell commenced as an as-
sistant to Mr. Dorman and his promotion has been rapid. Be-
sides his position as chief of the Elkins bureau and his pres-
ent situation in Washington, D. C, he has held important
positions in the service at Savannah, Georgia, and Louisville,
Kentucky.

The Socialist Movement in Randolph.

The Socialist party was first organized in Randolph,
March 5, 1908, when a few adherents of that economic philoso-
phy met at the M. P. church in Elkins and organized a local.
Dr. A. S. Bosworth was chairman of the meeting and W. G.
Howell wras secretary. An address was made by J- E. Kildow.
Those who were present and became members of the local
were: J. E. Kildow, Dr. A. S. Bosworth, A. R. Conoway, S. W.
Hayden, Adam See, R. M. Stalnaker, W. G. Howell, Edward
Tucker, and H. M. Howell.

Indian Ring.

On Conrad Street in the village of Mill Creek can be seen
what is called an "Indian Ring." It is about 50 feet in diame-
ter. The ring was more distinct before the land was culti-

244 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

vated. Large trees originally grew on the spot, indicating
many years since the ring was the scene of occupancy by the
Red Man. The soil forming the elevation was about one foot
high. The ring is too large to have been a wigwam and is
in all probability the remains of an ancient palisade. In the
adjoining county of Pendleton there is evidence of a ring en-
closing almost an acre of ground.

Indian mounds exist on the farm of Will Harper, in
Leadsville District and on the adjacent farm of Arch Lytle in
Beverly District. From the mound on Lytle's farm stone
hatchets have been taken. From the mound on the Currence
farm, a mile south of Daily, two stone pipes and parts of a
human skeleton were removed.

The Inter-Mountain.

The Inter-Mountain, the first Republican paper in Ran-
dolph County, was established in 1892, in the town of Elkins.
Professor N. G. Keim was its first editor under the manage-
ment of a publishing company. Professor Keim remained in
charge two years, when he was succeeded by M. S. Cornwell,
of Hampshire County. Mr. Cornwell remained editor two
years or until 1896, when he resigned on account of failing
health. William S. Ryan edited the paper for a few months
and was succeeded by Chas. E. Beans. Mr. Herman Johnson
succeeded Mr. Beans in August, 1898. Mr. Johnson is still ed-
itor and owner of the paper. A daily edition has been pub-
lished since October, 1907.

Randolph Men in the French and Indian War.

Quite a few of the early settlers of Randolph had been
soldiers in the French and Indian War of 1754-60. The fol-
lowing is a partial list. However, in a few instances the de-
scendants of these men, only, became residents of Randolph.
Friend Jonas, Sergeant ; Phares John, Corporal ; Briggs Sam-
uel, Conrad Ulrich, Coplinger George, Cunningham James,
Cunningham Robert, Cunningham William, Eberman Jacob,
Haigler Benjamin, Haigler Jacob, Harman George, Harper

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 245

Adam, Harper Phillip, Hevener Michael, Kile George, Kile
Valentine, Skidmore James, Skidmore Joseph, Ward William,
Wise Jacob.

Population of Randolph.

The population of Randolph in 1790 was 951. The first
ten years the population nearly doubled and in 1800 the cen-
sus figures show Randolph to have had 1826 souls. The rate
of increase in subsequent years was not so large, but in 1810
the population had increased to 2854. When we remember
that the area of the county was so much greater than at pres-
ent, we know that the population was sparse in 1820 when the
census of that period gives the population of the county as
3357. The assessors for the year 1792 returned 87 white per-
sons and 18 colored as proper subjects for poll tax in John
Jackson's District. In John Hadden's District 57 whites and
4 colored. In the remainder of the county 15 white persons
were eligible for poll tax; making in the entire county 159
whites and 12 colored, or 181 in all. John Hadden's District
embraced very nearly the same territory that constitutes
Randolph County today. In that district according to the
estimate of five persons to each tithe, there was in the pres-
ent territory of Randolph a population of 305 in 1792. There
were 260 horses in Randolph county that year.

From 1820 to 1910 the population of Randolph County
has varied as follows :

1830 5,000

1840 6,208

1850 5,243

1860 4,990

1870 5,563

1880 "... 8,102

1896 11,633

1900

1910

246 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Population of incorporated towns in Randolph County
according to the census of 1910:

Beverly 438

Elkins 5,260

Harding 105

Harmon 149

Huttonsville 251

Mill Creek 740

Alontrose - 112

Whitmer 650

Womelsdorf - 665

An Old Field School.

The building was a rude round log structure. A chimney
made from split sticks cemented together with mud. A roof
of clapboards held on by weight poles. Greased paper cover-
ing an aperature caused by the removal of a log was substi-
tuted for a window. Xo floor overhead and none beneath but
the bare earth. Puncheon seats, no blackboard and few
slates, goose quill pens; pupils reading or spelling aloud. A
constant supply of hickory gads to enforce discipline. Such
was the first school attended by the writer in Valley Bend
District in 1866.

Swiss Colony at Alpena.

In April, 1879, a colony of about one hundred Swiss emi-
grants settled at Alpena, on the eastern slope of the Shaver
Mountain. In a strange environment, unaccustomed to the
tillage of the crops suitable to this soil and climate, they be-
came discouraged and all but about half dozen families aban-
doned the country within the first year. About a half dozen
families remained and prospered and constitute a valuable ac-
quisition to our population. Those who became permanent
residents of the county are Emiel Knutti, Jacob Ratzer, Chris-
tian Herdig, Godfrey Herdig and John Herdig.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

247

HENRY CLAY DEAN.

248 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

An Orator in Disguise.

.Mark Twain, in his "Life on the .Mississippi," pub-
lished in 1906, in referring to his visit to Keokuk, Iowa, relates
an amusing incident in the life of Henry Clay Dean. An ac-
count of Dean's relation to Randolph County is narrated in
another chapter. Mark Twain says :

" Keokuk, a long time ago was an occasional loafing place
of the erratic genius, Henry Clay Dean. I believe I never saw
him but once, but he was much talked of when I lived there.
This is what was said of him :

"He began life poor and without education, but he edu-
cated himself on the curb stones of Keokuk. He would sit
down on a curb stone with his book, careless or unconscious
of the clatter of commerce and the tramp of the passing
crowds, and bury himself in his studies by the hour, never
changing his position except to draw in his knees now and
then to let a dray pass unobstructed; and when his book was
finished, its contents, however, abstruse, had been burned into
his memory, and were his permanent possession. In this way
he acquired a vast hoard of all kinds of learning, and had it
pigeon-holed in his head where he could put his intellectual
hand on it whenever it was wanted.

"His clothes differed in no respect from a 'wharf rat's'
except that they Avere raggeder, more ill-assorted and in-
harmonious (and therefore more extravagantly picturesque)
and several layers dirtier. Nobody could infer the master
mind in the top of that edifice from the edifice itself.'

"He was an orator by nature in the first place, and later
by training of experience and practice. When he was out on
a canvass, his name was a lode stone which drew the farmers
to his stump from fifty miles around. His theme was always
politics. He used no notes, for a volcano does not need
notes. In 1862, a son of Keokuk's late distinguished citizen,
Mr. Claggett, gave me this incident concerning Dean :

"The war feeling was running high in Keokuk in '61,
and a great mass meeting was to be held on a certain day in
the new Athenaeum. A distinguished stranger was to ad-
dress the house. After the building had been packed to its

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 249

utmost capacity with sweltering folk of both sexes, the stage
still remained vacant — the distinguished stranger had failed
to connect. The crowd grew impatient, and by and by indig-
nant and rebellious. About this time a distressed manager
discovered Dean on a curb stone, explained the dilemma to
him, took his book away from him, rushed him into the build-
ing the back way and told him to make for the stage and save
his country.

"Presently a sudden silence fell upon the audience, and
everybody's eyes sought a single point — the wide, empty, car-
petless stage. A figure appeared there whose aspect was fa-
miliar hardly to a dozen persons present. It was the scare
crow Dean in foxy shoes, down at the heels ; socks of odd col-
ors, also down ; damaged trousers, relics of antiquity and a
world too short, exposing some inches of naked ankle ; an un-
buttoned vest also too short and exposing a zone of soiled,
wrinkled linen between it and the waistband ; shirt bosom
open ; long, black handkerchief wound round and round his
neck like a bandage ; bobtailed blue coat, reaching down to the
small of the back, with sleeves which left four inches of the
forearm unprotected ; small stiff-brimmed soldier cap hung
on a corner of the bump of whichever bump it was. This fig-
ure moved gravely out upon the stage and with sedate and
measured step down to the front, where it paused and dream-
ily inspected the house, saying no word. The silence of sur-
prise held its own for a moment, then was broken by a just
audible ripple of merriment which swept the sea of faces like
the wash of a wave. The figure remained as before, thought-
fully inspecting. Another wave started — laughter this time.
It was followed by another, then a third — this last one
boisterous.

"'And now the stranger stepped back one pace, took off
his soldier cap, tossed it into the wing and began to speak
with deliberation, nobody listening, everybody laughing and
whispering. The speaker talked on unembarrassed, and pres-
ently delivered a shot which went home, and silence and at-
tention followed. He rivited their attention quick and fast
with other telling things; warmed to his work and began

250 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

to pour his words out instead of dripping them ; grew hotter
and hotter and fell to discharging lightning and thunder, and
now the house began to break into applause to which the
speaker gave no heed, but went hammering straight on ; un-
wound his black bandage and cast it away, still thundering;
presently discarded the bobtailed coat and flung it aside, fir-
ing up higher and higher all the time ; finally flung the vest
after the coat, and then for an untimed period stood there
like another Vesuvius, spouting smoke and flames, lava and
ashes, raining pumice stone and cinders, shaking the moral
earth with intellectual crash upon crash, explosion upon ex-
plosion, while the mad multitude stood upon their feet in a
solid body, answering back with a ceaseless hurricane of
cheers, through a threshing snow storm of waving handker-
chiefs.

"When Dean came," said Claggett. "the people thought he
was an escaped lunatic ; but when he went, they thought he
was an escaped archangel."

Stocks and Pillories.

In the pioneer period each court house yard was supplied
with stocks and pillories. The pillories were for the punish-
ment of a higher grade of crimes than the stocks. The court
house grounds of Randolph County were provided with these
primitive methods of penal punishment. At the Febrnary
term 1794. an allowance of S10 was made for the construction
of stocks and pillories. Xext year Edward Combs was put in
the stocks live minutes for contempt of court. Three vears
later St. Leger Stout was ordered to the stocks five minutes
for the same offense. Stocks consisted of a framework of
heavy timbers, having holes in which legs and arms were
confined. Pillories were made of a wooden post and frame,
fixed on a platform several feet above the ground, behind
which the culprit stood, his head and hands being thrust
through holes in the frame, so as to be exposed in front of it.
The intention of setting a criminal in the pillory was that he
should become infamous.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

251

252 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Marks and Brands.

For many years in the earlier history of this country no
attempt was made to confine horses, cattle, sheep or hogs in
enclosed fields. Xone except cultiyated fields were put under
fence. Horses, cattle and sheep were belled and turned loose
to roam upon the range. Horses were branded and cattle,
sheep and hogs were marked. Each individual owner selected
a brand or mark of his own, which he had recorded with the
court of the county. Proving1 this brand or mark was suffi-
cient to recover stock in dispute. Recording ear marks and
brands constituted a large part of the business of the court
in those days. As an example of these marks, at the June
term, 1794, it was ordered that the "ear marks of Jacob West-
fall, which consists of a swallow fork in the left ear be admit-
ted to record."

Arrow Heads.

Arrow heads are made from quartz of various colors.
Some have been found in the country of such rare quality that
it is not known where the Indians obtained the material from
which they were made. A quantity of flint would be carried
perhaps for many miles and handed down for generations as
an inheritance. Maxwell's history says there is a ledge of
flint near Brady's Gate in Mingo District. Sprawls are found
in some localities, especially about the mounds, showing that
the Indians stopped there long enough to replenish their sup-
ply. A notable difference between some arrow heads and
other arrow heads is that which distinguishes the point made
for hunting game from that made for use in war. In the ar-
row heads, made for hunting, at the base of the triangular
part there is an indented portion, enabling the huntsman to
fasten the point to the shaft with a thong, so that he could
recover the weapon in its entirety. The war points, however,
are perfect triangles or triangles with a concave curve at the
base. The war points have thus not only one but three sharp
points. The war arrow heads were not fastened to the shaft

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 253

with thongs, but simply inserted in the split end of the shaft.
When they struck and wounded a brave he pulled at the shaft,
which became loose, but the pronged point remained in the
flesh. The war points are long and narrow of design, well
calculated to give a death blow to the stoutest warrior who
did not know how to encase himself in armor, and was in fact
ignorant of the use of iron or any other metal until he met the
strangers across the sea. A battle-ax, made of stone, was
found near the Indian mound on the Lytle place, about three
miles south of Elkins.

Wooden Wagons.

Although the pack saddle was the pioneer's main depend-
ence in matters of transportation, yet for local purposes he
constructed a wagon entirely of wood. Therefore, the order
of the court that wagon roads were to be constructed did not
signify that wagons of modern design were in use. However,
the first wagons, in the modern sense, used in this county
were built by local workmen. The iron used was brought to
the county by pack horses, hi the first years of the settlement
of the county, wagons constructed entirely of wood were in
general use. The axles were made of hickory and wdieels were
sawed from the swamp gum tree. Harness, especially tugs
and traces, were made from raw hide, buffalo skins being a
favorite material for this purpose.

Bees and Birds.

The honey bee was inported from Europe to America by
the first settlers. Its first home is supposed to have been in
Asia. In pioneer davs wild bees were found in great numbers
far from human habitation. However, in the beginning they
escaped from the settlers1 apiary. Crows, black birds, and
song birds also followed the advent of the white man. The
English sparrow, the recent feathered nuisance, is an impor-
tation into this country of the last few decades. The common
house rat and the common house mouse which have played
such an important role in the spread of contagious diseases,

254 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

belong' to the mammalia of India, although some specimens
are supposed to be indigenous to China. However, the white
man is responsible for their existence in America.

Mill Creek.

Mill Creek has the distinction of being the second town
in Randolph county. Tt has a population of 740 according to
the census of 1910. The community had prosperous stores,
churches, school house and a blacksmith shop at the junction
of the Valley Pike and the Mountain road, many years before
the extension of the railroad up the valley. However, the
completion of the railroad gave the impetus to the growth
of the present town of Mill Creek. For many years the com-
munity bore the not euphonious name of ''Dog Town." For
about a decade before the building of Mill Creek the village
was called Crickard, in honor of Patrick Crickard, who was
its first postmaster. Mill Creek is now the site of several
large saw mills and is quite an important industrial center as
well as the emporium of a wide agricultural territory.

Spanish War Volunteers.

Following is a list of the volunteers in the Spanish-
American war of 1898. Thev were mostlv in Company E
First West Virginia Volunteer Infantry: Zan F. Collett,
captain ; James Hanley Jr., first sergeant ; John J. Xallen, sec-
ond Sergeant; H. B. ( )T»rien, third sergeant; C. D. Poling, W.
C. Kennedy, T. J. Collett, T. J. Goddin, David F. Foy and
J. E. Weese, corporals ; F. A. Rowan, C. L. Weymouth and H.
Platz, musicians in the Regimental band ; G. AY. liuckey,
Wagoner; privates: P>ruce Phares, James R. Collier, C. L.
Lewis, Cyrus J. Warner, John S. Garber, Leslie Harding,
William Russell, C. Lloyd, J. Lloyd, K. Bennett, W. Welch,
S. Knox, Wm. Steffey, F. W. Orris, T. J. Smith, H. Crawford
Scott, Braxton O. Meeks, Stewart Anthony, Wamsley. Ran-
dolph had three regular soldiers in the battle of Santiago.
They were: Robt. L. Hamilton, first lieutenant ; Walter Phil-
lips, hospital steward, and a Mr. Wolf, of the Twenty-second

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

255

Infantry. Colonel Davis Elkins was on General Coppinger's
staff.

The City of Elkins.

The site of the present City of Elkins, was a place of more
than local distinction before the railroad was among the prob-

Historical Round Barn, Built About 1832, Elkins, W. Va.

abilities in Tygarts Valley. Leadsville and the Round Barn
were the scenes of many stirring events during the Civil War.
The City of Elkins was laid off into lots in 1889. It was
named for Hon. S. B. Elkins, who with Honorable H. G.
Davis and Honorable Richard Kearns, built magnificent re-
sidences on adjacent eminences. On August 18, 1889, trains
commenced running into the town. The railroad was ex-
tended to Beverly and Belington in 1891, and to Huttonsville
a few years later. A branch was also built, known as the C.
& I., connecting with the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad at Dur-
bin. The Coal & Coke, though entering the city over the
Western Maryland tracks, entered the city over its own road
bed in 1911. The county seat, which from the organization
of the county, had been located at the ancient town of Beverly,
was wrested from that place in an election in 1898, and the

256 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

records were moved to Elkins eighteen months later. The
clerk's offices were kept in the Western Maryland railroad
building until the completion of the present court house about
two years later.

The Elkins Electric Railway commenced running its cars
on December 1, 1909. It is slowly extending its line down the
river in the direction of Belington and is at present carrying
passengers to Roaring Creek Junction and Harding.

In the fall of 1910, the magnificient Odd Fellows Home
was dedicated in the western suburbs of Elkins. In this pala-
tial home, in the midst of parks, driveways, artificial lakes and
beautiful landscape, there is cared for the aged Odd Fellow
and the orphaned children of deceased brethren. This home
is supported by the order in West Virginia.

The same year marked the completion, also, in Elkins, of
the Orphans Home, a State institution, supported by general
taxation. The population of Elkins according to the census
of 1910, was 5,260.

Indian Trail Still Visible.

An Indian trail leading over the mountain from the Val-
ley to Fishing Hawk is still visible according to good au-
thority. The trail followed the divide between the forks of
Files Creek for some distance and then took its course along
the north side of the mountain to the gap between the heads
of Files Creek and Fishing Hawk. Evidences of the existence
of this trail can be traced through the pasture fields and in
the woods on the mountain side. The information of its ex-
istence was orally transmitted by Wm. Daniels to his grand
son, Harrison Daniels, who lives near where the trail start-
up the mountain side. Several "licks" of salt springs were
near the course of the trail, which, perhaps, partially ac-
counted for its location. The county court of Randolph or-
dered a survey of a road from Beverly up Files Creek to the
top of the Alleghany Mountain in 1799, but the grade of the
road now traveled is not as good as was the old Indian trail.

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 257

Salt.

Salt is an indispensable condiment. It is an essential in-
gredient of food for most mammals. Obtaining a sufficient
supply of salt was one of tbe most difficult problems that con-
fronted the pioneer. Not a few of the roads leading to older
communities were opened for the purpose of importing salt.
At an early day some salt was made in this country from sa-
line springs, frecpiented by deer and buffalo. The water was
evaporated by boiling. However, the greater part of the sup-
ply was carried on pack saddles from Bull Town, Braxton
County. In an inventory of a personal estate, admitted to rec-
ord in 1803, salt was valued at $6.00 per bushel.

Names of Streams.

Tygarts Valley River was named for David Tygart, who
settled on its banks near Beverly, in 1753. In the early rec-
ords of the county the name is spelled Tygers. After the
massacre of the Files family, Tygart abandoned the Valley.
However, a family by the name of Taggart was among the
first permanent settlers of the county and tradition says they
were of the same stock as the David Tygart family. It is
therefore probable that the name of the Valley and the river
should be Taggart rather than Tygart.

Cheat River is so called from the deceptive appearance of
the depth of the river, due to its freedom from foreign sub-
stances. Estimating the depth of Cheat River from the stan-
dard of other streams the eye is much deceived. The stream
was called Wilmoths River for a number of years in the
early history of the county for the reason that the Wilmoths
were the first settlers on its banks.

Files Creek was named for Robert Files who settled near
its mouth in 1753.

Mill Creek was called Currence's Mill Creek in the pion-
eer period. It was one of the first streams in the countv to
furnish power for grinding grain. Wm. Currence erected a
grist mill on the site of the present mill of Jesse Rosencranse
in 1794. In the course of time the word Currence was drop-

258 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ped from the name and it now bears the abbreviated name of
Mill Creek.

Gandy Creek was named in honor of Uriah Gandv who
was the first settler on the waters of that stream.

Dry Fork is so called for the reason that this stream is
wont in man}' places to seek subterranean passages and leave
a dry bed.

The origin of the names of Mud Lick, Gum Lick, Pond
Lick, Laurel Fork, Middle Fork, Roaring Creek, Beaver
Creek. Elkwater, Leading Creek, Otter Fork. Windy Run, is
indicated by the names thev bear.

Beccas Creek was named for a man by the name of Becky
or Beckay, who settled on that stream in an early dav.

Board of Registration.

From 1866 to 1870, the elective franchise in Randolph
County was subject to the whims and discretion of a Board
of Registration appointed by the Governor. Those charged
with disloyalty to the government during the war, then just
closed, were tried before the Board. The accused was found
loyal or disloyal as the evidence indicated and was either dis-
franchised or left on the list of eligibles. William Apperson
was the first to be tried and being unable to establish his loy-
alty was disfranchised.

The following are samples of findings of the Board:

State vs. Squire Bos worth.

The defendant, a resident of Beverly District, being called
appeared. Xo witnesses appearing this cause is dismissed.

State vs. Christopher X. Schoonover.

Christopher X. Schoonover having been struck off ap-
peared and asked to be reinstated. ' Ordered that he stay off.

The Board adjourned to meet no more in 1870 and thus
ended an incident that had done much to foster and keep ac-
tive the passions and prejudices of the war.

Board of Supervisors.

A Board of Supervisors managed the affairs of this coun-
ty from 1866 to 1872. Their jurisdiction was similar to the

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 259

county courts, following is a list of supervisors and the dates
of entering office :

1866 — Elijah Kittle, John EC. Scott, John M. Haney, John
M. Crouch, John A. Hutton, Powhatan A. Lolly, Sampson
Snvder, Elijah M. Hart, Charles \Y. Burk, William Rowan,
James II. Lambert.

1867 — Benjamin F. Wilmoth, William D. Armstrong-, Or-
lando Woolwine, Geo. Buckey, Crawford Scott, ( )liver Wil-
moth, A. E. Harper.

1869— Samuel Tyre, Eli Kittle, Riley Pritt, A. J. Swecker,
Melvin Currence, John W. Phares, Jacob Vanscoy, Elijah
Cooper.

1871 — John Cain, Adam Yokum.

During- the time the county was managed by a Board of
Supervisors the county was divided into townships. The dis-
tricts of Mingo, Dry Fork and Beverly were named and
bounded very much as they are today. Clay corresponded to
New Interest, Clark to Valley Bend, Reynolds to Huttons-
ville, Scott to Roaring Creek, Union to Middle Fork, and
( ireene to Leadsville.

Lorenzo Dow.

Lorenzo Dow, the noted Methodist Missionary, visited
Beverly in his animal pilgrimages through the frontier set-
tlements of America. In addition to his enthusiasm as a mis-
sionary, Dow had another purpose in visiting Beverly. His
brother-in-law, Dr. Benjamin Dolbear, was a resident of that
place. Mrs. Dow was a sister of Dr. Dolbear. Tne house
in which Dr. Dolbear liyed and which sheltered Dow is still
standing on the Archibald Chenoweth lot near the eastern end
of the Valley River bridge. Dow made his appointments a
year ahead and seldom disappointed his congregation. In
Beverly he usually preached in the eastern suburbs near the
Creed Butcher homestead. He would lay his hat, coat and
watch on a log and would preach about two hours. He was
a man of unusual magnetic presence and power. It was not
unusual for many of his congregation to become affected with

260 A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY

the "jerks" in which the individual would undergo strange and
peculiar contortions. These manifestations were variously
interpreted. Some believed that these extraordinary expres-
sions of emotion were the wrestling of the spirit of the Evil
One with the soul of the convicted sinner. Dow refers to these
mental states in his writings and evidently they were as much
a mystery to him as to any one else. Today psychologists
would readily attribute them to the power of suggestion.
These phenomena heralded his reputation and magnified his
power and influence. He visited Europe in 1799 and in 1805.
His dress and manner was that of the frontierman and he at-
tracted great crowds to see and hear him. His Polemical
works were published in 1814, and the history of a Cosmopo-
lite and a short account of a Long Travel in 1823. He was
born in Connecticutt in 1777, and died February 2, 1834.

The Tygarts Valley News.

The Tygarts Valley News made its initial bow to the
public September 13, 1889. The first owners and editors were
James A. Bent and Floyd J. Triplett. In January, 1891, Zan.
F. Collett and John F. Ferguson succeeded Messrs. Bent and
Triplett, the latter having been elected clerk of the county
court, temporarily left the newspaper field to assume official
duties. At the expiration of his term of office Mr. Triplett,
with Mr. Collett, conducted the paper until the breaking out
of the Spanish American war in May, 1898, when Mr. Collett,
having been elected Captain of Volunteers entered the mili-
tary service. Mr. Triplett a few years later sold the paper to
a joint stock company which still owns and manages the
paper. The paper has since suspended.

The Randolph Enterprise.

The Randolph Enterprise was the first paper published in
Randolph County. The first issue appeared in May, 1874.
Its first editor and owner was Geo. P. Sargent. The paper
was a five column quarto and was printed on a Washington

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 261

hand press. The nearest railroad station was Webster, Taylor
County, and blank paper and other supplies were hauled from
that point by road wagons, Mr. Sargent, after a few years
management of the paper sold it to T. Irvin Wells. V. B.
Trimble and B. L. Butcher succeeded Mr. Wells. Mr. Butch-
er, having been elected 1'rosecuting Attorney, sold his inter-
est to Mr. Trimble. J. L. and A. S. Bosworth purchased the
paper of Mr. Trimble. They sold to John Hutton and he
sold it to J. L. Bosworth and E. D. Talbott. Mr. Talbott sold
his interest to F. J. Triplett. who about two years later sold
his interest to A. S. Bosworth. J. L. and A. S. Bosworth con-
ducted the paper about eight years and sold it to a stock com-
pany with G. W. Lewis and S. A. Rowan as editors. The pa-
per followed the county seat to Elkins and has been under
the editorial management of James W. Weir for several years,
and was succeeded by J. Slidell Brown, the present editor.

The Randolph Review.

The Randolph Review was the second paper published
in Randolph County. Jt was founded by J. L. and A. S. Bos-
worth and after publishing it for about six months purchased
the Randolph Enterprise and sold the Review plant to Buckey
Canfield, who moved it to Huntersville and started the Times,
the first paper published in that county. These events oc-
cured in 1882.

Huttonsville.

The town of Huttonsville was named in honor of the
Hutton family. Before the war the village was the educa-
tional center of the county. Until the coming of the West
Virginia Central railroad, it was a county hamlet with post-
office, hotel, church, school house and blacksmith shop. It is
now an incorporated town with a population of 251 according
to the census of 1910.

262 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Coalton.

This town is situated in the center of the Roarino- Creek
coal fields. The existence of the village is cotemporaneous-
with the entrance of the railroad into the town in May, 1894.
Until recently it was called Womelsdorf for O. C. YVomels-
dorf. who founded the town and was the pioneer in the devel-
opment of that section. It is now a flourishing village with
a population of 650 according to the census of 1910.

Harman.

The town of Harman is situated near the junction of the
Dry Fork and Horse Camp Run. For many vears a quiet
country hamlet, with the advent of the railroad it has grown
into a prosperous village with a bank, hotels, graded school
and a system of water piped from an adjacent mountain
spring. It is surrounded by a rich agricultural community
with neat and attractive farm houses. According to the cen-
sus of 1910 the town has a population of 159 and is incor-
porated.

The Frost of "59.

On the morning of June 5, 1859, occurred a notable frost
in Randolph County. The spring had been warm and aus-
picious and the farmers were looking forward to a bountiful
harvest. However, on the day previous the weather became
unseasonably cold. Furs and overcoats were taken from their
winter recesses. Some farmers presaged the coming calamitv
and entered their corn fields with horse and plow and covered
the -rowing crop with the mellow earth, which was removed
when the weather moderated. Their pains were rewarded
with the usual harvest. All unprotected crops of corn and
wheat and every other green and growing thing were frozen.
To compensate for the disaster the farmer went to work with
renewed energy. Corn was replanted and partially matured.
A large acreage of buckwheat was sown. The local supply
of seed was exhausted and the Glades of Preston and Garrett

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 263

were drawn upon. Winter found the farmer's graneries with
their wonted plethora.

First Foreigner Naturalized.

The first foreigner to be naturalized in Randolph was
John Lambertson in 1787. He came from Ireland. William
Currence witnessed his good character and the fact that he
had been a resident of the State one year. The second was
Win. Bock in 1806, and the third was William Xearbeck in
1824.

Emancipation Paper.

So far as the records show the bearer of the following-
paper was the first negro to receive his liberty in Randolph
County :
Randolph County, Ya.

Dec. 30, 1791.

1 do hereby certify that I have set the bearer hereof,
Negro Tom, at full liberty from servitude to act and do for
himself as a free man, as witness my hand the day and date
above written.

JONAS FRIEND.

Town of Beverly.

The General Assembly of the State of Virginia passed
an Act December 16, 1790, creating the town of Beverly, as
foll< tws :

That twenty acres of land, the property of James West-
fall, as the same are already laid off into lots and streets in
the County of Randolph adjoining the land whereon the Court
House now stands, shall be established a town by the name of
Beverly; and that John Wilson, Jacob Westfall, Sylvester
Ward, Thomas Philips, Hezekiah Rosecrouts, William Worm-
sley, and Valentine Stornaker, Gentlemen, shall be and are
hereby constituted Trustees thereof.

The names Rosecrouts, Womsley, and Stonaker, as they

264 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

appear in the Act reproduced above, should be Rosencranse,
Wamsley and Stalnaker.

The original name of the town was Edmonton, in honor
of Edmond Randolph. The Virginia Assembly changed the
name to Beverly in honor of Beverly Randolph. The town,
as indicated by the charter, consisted of 20 acres. This tract
was divided into 40 half-acre lots and were sold at $16.66%
each and the purchaser bound himself to build a house 16x16
feet with stone or brick chimney within five years. An an-
nual rent of 36 cents for each lot was to be paid to James West-
fall or his heirs forever. There is no evidence that this stip-
ulation in the deeds was ever enforced.

The town has a population, according to the census of
1910, of 438.

Historic Beverly.

In the years subsequent to the Civil War, isolated and
unassuming, nestled among the mountains, many miles from
the marts of trade, stood the village of Beverly. But this ham-
let possessed a wealth of men that entitled it to a higher rank
than larger and more pretentious towns — a class of honest
yeomanry so aptly described by Dr. Goldsmith in his poem
of the "Deserted Village." To each of whom is applicable
Mark Anthony's tribute to Caesar: "His life was gentle and
the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and
say to all the world this was a man." Intelligent, honest and
upright, with good counsel and good example to the young,
they sought neither pelf, place nor power, and living simple
and unselfish lives, the higher self unfolded. Such men were
B. W. Crawford, Adam Crawford, Adam Rowan, Claude Goff,
David Goff, George Printz, Lemuel Chenoweth, Archibald
Chenoweth, Dr. Geo. W. Yokum, Xelson Fitzwater, Fountain
Butcher, Creed Butcher, Henry Suiter, Geo. W. Leonard, John
Leonard, John B. Earle, Elias Earle, Alpheus Buckey, John
Buckey, Dr. Squire Bosworth, Chas. W. Russell, C. J. P.
Cresap, Parkinson Collett, Isaac Baker, Eli Baker, James H.
Logan, Solomon Warner, Samuel Gilmore, Jacob Suiter, L.
D. Greynolds, Jacob M. Weese, Calvin Collett, Jacob Collett,

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 265

Johnathan Arnold, L. D. Strader, Bernard L. Brown, George
Buckey, William Rowan, Judson Blackman, James *D. Wilson,
Rev. Robert Scott, John B. Morrison, Emmett Buckey, James
A. Vaughan.

These men have gone to reap their recompense in that
"country from whose bourn no traveler returns," but they
merit a permanent place in the annals of their town and
county, which they so highly honored. Accepting Walt Whit-
man's definition of the greatest city, which we append, the an-
cient village of Beverly should live in history for having pro-
duced a superior class of men :

The greatest city is that which has the greatest man

or woman.
If it be a few ragged huts, it is still the greatest city

in the whole world.
The place where the greatest city stands is not the

place of stretched wharves, docks, manufactures,

deposits of produce,
Nor the place of ceaseless salutes of newcomers, or

the anchor-lifters of the departing,
Nor the place of the tallest and costliest buildings, or

shops selling goods from the rest of the earth.
Nor the place of the best libraries and schools — nor

the place where money is plentiest.
Nor the place of the most numerous population.
Where the city of the faithfulest friends stands,
Where the city of the cleanliness of the sexes stands,
Where the city of the healthiest fathers stands,
Where the city of best-bodied mothers stands,
There the greatest city stands.

Wild Pigeons.

The wild pigeon or the passenger pigeon appeared in
very large flocks in Randolph County until a comparatively
recent date, perhaps for a decade following the civil war.
They visited this section as a rule in September and October,
and were evidently attracted to the wooded districts of Ran-
dolph by acorns and beech nuts. They came in such flocks as

266 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

to obscure, the sun light and present the appearance of the
sky being overcast by dark and ominous clouds. Trees and
their branches were often broken and crushed by the weight
of their numbers. Some flocks were estimated to contain
many millions of birds. It is supposed their breeding ground
was in Western Canada and the backwoods of the Western
United States. The passenger pigeon was about the size of
the common turtle dove, but with a long wedged shape tail.
The male was of a dark slate color above and a purplish bay
beneath, the sides of the neck being enlivened by gleaming
violet green and gold. The female was drab colored and
dull white beneath, with only a slight trace of the brilliant
neck markings. This species of pigeon is now supposed to be
extinct and fabulous prices are offered for a male and female
specimen.

Prisoners at Fort Deleware.

Lenox Camden, William Salisbury and his son,

Salisbury, Pugh Chenoweth, Levi Ward, Allen Isner, Philip
Isner, William Clemm, Smith Crouch, Thomas Crouch, John
Caplinger, John Learv and Charles Russell, were sent to Fort
Deleware near Philadelphia, to be held as hostages for a num-
ber of Union sympathizers taken to Richmond by General W.
L. Jackson, in his raid of 1863. All died but the last four
from drinking the pointed water of Delaware Bay. Frank
Phares went to Philadelphia and secured the release of the
survivors.

The Settlement of Adolph.

This settlement was established in 1880-1 by imigrants
from Switzerland. However, a few Swiss families that moved
to Adolph had lived temporarily in other States of the Union.
Fred Tseley, a single man, and the following heads of fam-
ilies were the permanent settlers of the colony: Jacob Ruth-
enbuler, John Rush, Albert Brenwald, Jacob Pheister, Gotlieb
Schorer, Joseph Koefle. and Jacob Schmid. A few families
not mentioned above came, but not finding conditions to their
liking:, settled elsewhere.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 267

The village consists of eleven dwellings, store, postoffice,
blacksmith shop, school house and grist mill. Carl Lutz was
the John Smith of this colony, having directed and inspired its
formation.

Adolph is situated in a picturesque little valley at the
junction of Mitchel Lick Run with the Middle Fork of Buck-
hannon River. The site of the village was a heavy forest
of virgin timber.

Helvetia.

In 1869, a real estate company of New York induced a
number of Swiss immigrants to establish a settlement on a
branch of the Buckhannon River. In honor of their native
village, the colony was called Helvetia. In June, 1879, Carl
Lutz, agent for the company that owned a large boundary of
land arrived. He was a man of practical qualities of mind
and his services were invaluable to the colonists.

Among the first to locate in the settlement were : Henry
Asper, Ulrich Miller, Mathew Marty, Joseph Zillman, Jacob
Haider, John Andregg, J. Benziger, Jacob Zumbach, Max
Lehman, Gotlieb Deitwiller, Christian Zumbach, John Engler,
John Teuscher, Alfred Teuscher, John Merkle, John Huber,
Fritz Zumbach, Ernest Hassig, George Sutton, John Hofer,
John Carlen Jr., John Farhner, John Better, George Andregg,
Christian Burky, Jacob Andregg, Edwin Vogel, John Wenger,
Jacob Loser, and Fritz Hasselbach. Most of these imigrants
were craftsmen and without experience in clearing land and
agriculture.

For groceries and other supplies the settlers were com-
pelled to go to French Creek, a distance of eighteen miles.
Having no horses, this trip was made on foot, requiring two
days. These conditions remained until 1872, when Gustave
Senhauser arrived from New Philadelphia, Ohio, and estab-
lished a general store. Soon thereafter another store was es-
tablished by Randolph See. Still the settlement was handi-
capped for want of a saw mill, and lumber for building houses
and other purposes had to be manufactured by hand.

The larger number of these settlers were members of the
German Reformed Church, but a few were Roman Catholics.

268 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

In 1872, a Sunday School was organized in Mr. Senhauser's
store with store boxes for seats. A little later, Rev. Andreas
Kern, from Zurich, Switzerland, organized a German Re-
formed Church to which about twenty members subscribed.
Rev. Kern is still affectionately remembered by his former
congregation.

At present the congregation owns a neat and comfortable
church and parsonage and one acre of land. Dr. Carl Stuckey,
of Bern, Switzerland, the first physician to locate in Helvetia,
was much interested in religious matters and was instrumen-
tal in organizing churches and Sunday schools in the commu-
nity. The first public school was opened in 1873-4. The first
trustees were Gustav Senhauser, John Dever, and Jesse Sharp.
The first teacher was a Mr. Wilson.

By frugality and industry these pioneers succeeded in
converting the forests into farms, producing various grains
and cereals, but they did not swerve from their original pur-
pose of engaging in the dairy business. Accordingly, John
Kellenberger, of Appenzell, Switzerland, imported, at the in-
stance of the settlers, a herd of brown Swiss cattle, and a
company was organized to manufacture Sweitzer cheese. The
business lasted several years but was abandoned because of
the distance from the railroad and the limitations of local
markets. John Teuscher, a member of the company remained
in the business and is still making Swiss cheese on his own
account. In 1873, Geo. Betz. of Wertemberg, Germany,
erected a saw and grist mill, but for some reason his enter-
prise did not flourish and both enterprises have been
abandoned.

After nearly half a century, the lumber industry invaded
the community, and modern frame houses supplanted the
round log structures that had so long sheltered the settlers.
Even the painter found opportunity to ply his art. At last
the fruits of their earlier hardships began to be realized. In
the trying times, son and daughter had supplemented the in-
come of the families at home, by going to older communities
and sending home their savings.

These people still retain the customs and usages of the
Fatherland, the most civilized countrv on earth; where law-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 269

are made and administered for rich and poor alike ; where
compulsory education has been in effect for centuries, and
from whence comes the progressive laws that recently are
being adopted in this and other countries. They think it is
no harm to take a drink of wine or cider, but he who would
go beyond the bounds of moderation would be disgraced and
ostracised by the community. The stranger is always treated
to the vintage of the grape. Picnics and sociables are fre-
quent where the people enjoy themselves with music and song.

The best of care is taken of domestic animals and they
think it cruel to expose the horse, the cow, or the sheep, to
the storms of winter without shelter. The horse was not in
common use in the early years of the settlement and it was
not an infrequent sight to see oxen single or in pairs hitched
to sleds, drawing the plow, or with packsaddles on their backs,
at the mill or store.

Before the davs of railroads and the lumber industry,
produce of the farms commanded very low prices; butter and
eggs often as low as six cents per pound and dozen respec-
tively. The first to engage in the lumber business in Helvetia
was Floyd Brown, who later gained the sobriquet of Cherry
Brown. The extention of the lumber business to their com-
munity gave many the opportunity to sell their remaining
timber for many times the price they paid for the land in
the first place, viz: $3.00 per acre.

A few years subsequent to the coming of the Swiss to
Helvetia, a colony was located nine miles southwest of that
town on Turkey Bone Mountain. Amons: the colonists were:
Mark Egglison, John Zender, Casper AVinkler, John Hartman
Sr., and John Hartman Jr., Horles Zimmerly, John Lassy,
Peter Swint and a Mr. Stadler, who for a number of years
operated a tannery. Although undergoing many privations,
this colony did not suffer the inconveniences and hardships
experienced by the older colony. However, no preparation
was made for their arrival and many lived in tents and houses
without windows until better ones could be afforded. Heads
of families, in many instances, were compelled to leave home
to obtain work in order to maintain their families and pay
for their lands. Cloudbursts and thunderstorms were com-

270 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

mon and in many instances higher ground had to be reached
in the midst of darkness and downpour by the women and
children, whose husbands and fathers were absent from home.
At least in one instance, a mother of thirty, as the result of
these experiences, had her hair to turn gray in one night.
Let it be said to the credit of the Adolph and Helvetia
colonists that, while under such conditions some bickerings
were inevitable, yet their distance from home amongst a
people of a different tongue, cemented their friendship and
developed a co-operative spirit, and all were ready to give a
helping hand in time of need or distress. Industry and in-
telligence has triumphed over obstacles and today these peo-
ple are happy, prosperous, and contented. They are attached
to their homes and their adopted country and have all the at-
tributes and cbaracteristics of good and patriotic citizens.

RELIGIOUS.

Presbyterians.

The first preacher of the Presbyterian faith to hold ser-
vices in the valley was, perhaps, Rev. Chas. Cummins, who
was licensed to preach by the Tinkling Springs Presbytery
in 1766. His field of labor consisted largely of Albemarle
and Amherst Counties. In 1772 he was directed to preach
eight sermons a year in Greenbrier County and Tygarts
Valley.

Rev. Win. Foote, in his sketches of Virginia, gives the
following interesting account of the manner in which religious
services were held in that day:

"On Sabbath day morning. Mr. Cummins dressed him-
self, then put on his shot pouch, shouldered his rifle, mounted
his dun stallion, and rode off to church. There he met his
congregation, each one with rifle in hand. When thus seated
in meeting house it presented a solemn spectacle. The
preacher would walk through the crowd, deposit gun and
pouch in the corner and then commence his discourse." These
precautions were necessary as an attack by Indians was at
all times imminent.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 271

111 1786 Rev. Edward Crawford preached two sermons
in the valley. He was from the Valley of Virginia In the
following year Rev. William Wilson, of the Old Stone
Church of Augusta, preached two sermons. In about 1820,
Rev. Asa Brooks, of New England, visited the valley as a
missionary. In that year Daniel McLean, Johnathan Hutton
and Andrew Crawford met at the latter's residence and or-
ganized a church. Mathew Whitman was elected ruling elder.
In 1823 Adam See gave three acres on which to build a
church. In 1826 Rev. Geo. Baxter, of Lexington, Va.,
preached in the valley. In 1831 the church had sixty mem-
bers and five elders: Mathew Whitman, Daniel McLean, An-
drew Crawford, Squire Bos worth, and Johnathan Hutton.
The Mingo church was organized in 1841 with W. II. Wilson
and William Logan as elders.

At that time there were eighty Presbyterians in the val-
ley. Rev. Enoch Thomas was in charge of the churches in
the valley in 1844-60. He was also one of the pioneer school
teachers of the county. Rev. Robert Scott was in charge of
the Presbyterian churches in the county from 1867 to 1875,
and was instrumental in organizing churches in the outlying
districts. Rev. Plummer Bryan was for many years located
at Beverly and later at Huttonsville. He wras the leading
spirit in the building of the Huttonsville Presbyterian church.
In about 1881 he moved to Chicago, in which place he has
since held a pastorate. Rev. Samuel J. Baird was pastor of
the Beverly church in 1884, Rev. J. N. Vandevander in 1887,
Rev. Chas. D. Gilkesson in 1891.

The Methodists.

The Methodists were active in religious matters at a very
early day in Randolph. The first society of the Methodist
Episcopal church in Randolph was formed in 1786, directed
and inspired by Rev. Joseph Chevuront, of Clarksbur .

Rev. Lorenzo Dow also often visited the valley in the
thirties. He was a man of magnetic personality and his an-
nual visits were looked forward to with much interest. His
name was a household word among the pioneers for many

272 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

years. His influence over his hearers was marked and his
camp meetings were events of great importance in the com-
munity. Under the spell of his eloquence the emotions of his
audience became uncontrolable and was attributed by many
to mysterious agencies.

Hanning Foggy, for nearly half a century, a local preacher
of the M. E. church, lived a few miles south of Elkins. He
was a man of unusual gifts of mind and character and wielded
an influence in his community for many years that falls to the
lot of very few men. He died in 1893.

Rev. Samuel Clawson, a pioneer Methodist, often preach-
ed in the valley. He was noted for the unreserved manner in
which he spoke his mind, his eccentric manner, and his
energetic language. !n closing a meeting at Mill Creek
he thus summarized the results of his efforts : I have
been fishing and after thumping and threshing among the
thorns and thickets of perdition, and wading and floundering
in the nasty pools of abomination, my only reward is that I
have caught one shad, two herring, and two old roosters."
In another instance he voiced his disappointment as follows :

"Thank God the day is not very far distant when you
miserable and unrepentant sinners will be chained down to
hell's brazen floor, and the devil with his three-pronged
harpoon will pierce your reeking hearts, and pile upon you
the red hot cinders of black damnation as high as the Pyra-
mids of Egypt, and fry the pride out of your hearts to grease
the gudgeons of the rag wheels of hell."

Again being informed that the residents of the commu-
nity not of his own way of thinking on theological subjects,
had been in the habit of disturbing public worship, he gave
notice in opening his • discourse in the following vigorous
language :

"I understand that there is a gang here who call them-
selves 'No-Hellers,' and that they are in the habit of attacking
preachers who come here to expound the gospel. I serve no-
tice on you that if any of you speak to me here tonight or
any other time, I will knock you higher than the Tower of
Babel."

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 273

The "No-Hellers" discreetly made no effort to interview
Rev. Clawson.

Bishop Asbury's Visit to the Valley.

Rev. Francis Asbury, bishop of the Methodist church
passed through the valley on his way to Clarksburg in the
year 1788. He traveled on horseback from North Carolina by
way of Bedford, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas counties to Clo-
ver Lick. His destination was Clarksburg where he was to
hold a quarterly meeting. His journal describes his impres-
sions of the valley as follows :

Thursday, July 10, 1788.

We had to cross the Allegheny Mountains again at a
bad passage. Our course lay over the mountains and through
valleys, and the mud was such as might scarcely be expected
in December. We came to an old forsaken habitation in Ty-
garts Valley. Here our horses grazed about while we boiled
our meat. Midnight brought us up at Jones after riding
forty, or perhaps fifty miles. The old man, our host, was kind
enough to wake us up at four in the morning. We journeyed
on through devious lonely wilds, where no food might be
found except what grew in the woods or was carried with us.
We met with two women who were going to see their friends
and attend the quarterly meeting at Clarksburg.

Xear midnight we stopped at A — s, who hissed his dog
at us, but the women were determined to go to the quarterly
meeting so we went in. ( )ur supper was tea. Brother Phoe-
bus and Cook took to the woods, old gave up his

bed to the women. I lay along the floor on a few deer skins
with the fleas.

My mind has been severely tried under the great fatigue
endured both- by myself and my horse. Oh, how glad I should
be of a plain, clean plank to lie on, as preferable to most of
the beds, and where the beds are in a bad state the floors are
worse. The gnats are almost as troublesome here as the mos-
quitoes in the lowlands of the seaboard. This country will
require much work to make it tolerable. The people, many
of them, are of the boldest cast of adventurers, and with some

274 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

the decencies of civilized society are scarcely regarded. The
great landholders, who are industrious, will soon show the
aristocracy of wealth by lording it over their poorer neigh-
bors, and by securing to themselves all the offices of profit
or honor. On the one hand savage warfare teaches them to
be cruel, and on the other the teaching of Antinomians poisons
them with error in doctrine. Good moralists they are not,
and good Christians they can not be unless they are better
taught.

The Primitive Baptists.

This church was one of the leading and influential re-
ligious organizations in the early history of the country. Its
membership was large and many of the prominent pioneers
were adherents of its religious tenets. Elder Thomas Collett,
born 1788 and died 1870. was. perhaps, the first preacher of
this denomination in Randolph. Other preachers of this
church win i have occupied a prominent place in the religious
affairs of the county may be mentioned: Rev. Ezra P. Hart,
Rev. Nathan Everet, Rev. Elam Murphy, Rev. Joseph Poe,
Rev. James Murphy, and Rev. Stephen D. Lewis.

Missionary Baptist Church.

This church was organized in Elkins in 1870 by Rev.
W. E. Powell. It then had seventeen members. Rev. Amos
Robinson was its first pastor. A splendid new edifice has
recently been erected. Other prominent preachers who have
occupied the pulpit of that denomination in Randolph are,
Rev. H. M. P. Potts, Rev. H. P. Loomis, and Rev. W. H.
Tiffany.

Left Pulpit for Melon Patch.

Henry Clay Dean preached in the valley in 1846. He
is remembered by many now living. More about that eccen-
tric genius can be found in another chapter. A survivor of the
days of Rev. Dean's preaching in the valley tells of a pro-
tracted meeting held by him at Mill Creek. He was a very

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 2Y5

effectual revivalist and it was not an uncommon occurrence
for his congregation to lose control of their emotions and
eneasre in a general shout. On such an occasion at Mill
Creek, Rev. Dean was noticed by a few to put the meeting
in charge of an assistant and leave the house. Tlis protracted
absence alarmed those who knew of his departure. Some
feared he was ill. Others said he had repaired to the adjoin-
ing woods to engage in silent and secluded prayer. Two
members concluded to investigate. Rev. Dean was found
"cutting a melon" in a neighbor's patch nearby the church.

An Old Letter.

Superintendent of Schools Troy Wilmoth has in his
possession a letter that has been handed down in the Wilmoth
family for more than two centuries. It was written in 1697
by Richard Wilmoth, of Derbyshire, England, to Louis Wil-
moth, of Rappahannock, Virginia. The name as explained
by its origin in the chapter on surnames, in another part of
this book, was spelled Wilmot. Richard and Louis Wilmot
were ancestors of the Wilmoth family in Randolph.

The Irish Settlement.

"I've heard whispers of a country that lies beyant the say,
Where rich and poor stand equal in the light of freedom's day.
Oh! Erin must we leave you, driven by the tyrant's hand.
Must we ask a mother's welcome from a strange but happy land,
Where the cruel cross of England's thralldom never shall be seen
And where thank God, we'll live and die still wearing of the green?"

No event in the history of the count}' will leave more
permanent traces than the settlement on Roaring Creek by the
Irish in 1840-50. This is true from a business, educational, po-
litical and religious point of view. These settlers, strong of
bodv and intellectually alert, inured to toil and hardship, soon
converted the wilderness into a prosperous community of
comfortable homes, churches, and schools amid which sprang
up the village of Kingsville, with the conveniences of a store,
postofhce and blacksmith shop. These settlers were not only
eminently successful themselves in their undertakings, but

276 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTS

bequeathed sons and daughters, who took front rank in the
business and professional life of the county.

The first to locate in what is known as the Irish settle-
ment was Patrick Flanigan. He was a contractor and was
engaged in the building of the Staunton and Parkersburg
pike, tie lived for a while after the completion of the pike
in the valley, and then bought land and moved to Roaring
Creek in 1840-50. Perhaps nearer the former than the latter
date.

John O'Connell was the next to locate in that vicinity in
about 1850. He was a strong southern sympathizer and in
attempting to communicate with the Confederate army at
Philippi, in the first vear of the war, he was shot and killed
near Laurel, from ambush, generally supposed by Union
sympathizers.

Patrick O'Connor, who had been engaged in the con-
struction on the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike, bought land
of Patrick Flanigan and with his family added to the nucleus
of a settlement in its earliest days. He lived to the ripe old
age of 108 years.

Daniel Tahany, who came in 1852, was among the first
settlers. About seventy families in all located in that section,
among whom may be mentioned Michal O'Connor, Peter
King, Patrick Riley, Patsy King, Miles King, Edward King,
Owen Riley, Andrew Durkin, John Madden, Owen Gillooly,
Andrew Durkin, Patrick Gillooly, Patrick O'Connor, Richard
Ford, John Ford, Patrick Rafrerty, Morris Hanifan, John Nal-
len Sr., Thomas Burke, Alexander Burke, John Conley,
Mathew Davis, John Cain, Patrick Movies, John A. King,
Thomas O'Connor, John Staunton.

The following facts have been ascertained concerning
some of the members of the Irish settlers:

John Cain, born in County Mayo, Ireland, married in 1848
to Mary Moyle ; children, Peter, Ellen, Sarah, Bridget, Ther-
esa, John, James, Patrick, Ignatius and Maggie. He settled
on Roaring Creek in 1860 and died in 1871.

John Conley, born in 1834, Ireland, died 1903. Married

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 277

Mary McGinnis; children, Patrick, Anna, John, Mary and
Joseph. Settled on Roaring- Creek in 1866.

Thomas Bnrke, burn 1845, Longfort County, Ireland; son
of Michael and Margaret (Rowan) Burke. Married Mary
Ellen, daughter of John A. and Margaret Nallen ; children,
Patrick F., John Thomas, Margaret A., James and Michael,
twins; Mary Ellen and Alexander. He settled on Roaring
Creek in 1866 and died in 1890.

Chas. Durkin, born in County Mayo, Ireland, 1818; mar-
ried Catherine Durkin, daughter of Andrew Durkin Sr., in
1847; children, Edward, Catherine, Andrew, Ellen, Mary and
Bridget. He settled on Roaring Creek in 1864 and died at
Coalton, W. Va. 1908.

Patrick Durkin, born in County Mayo, Ireland, 1830. He
married Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret King in
1855; children, Mary A., John T., William V., Catherine, Ed-
ward, Margaret, Alice Agnes, Joseph and d'eresa. He settled
on Roaring Creek in 1857 and died in 1887.

Alexander Burke, born in Ireland 1842, Eongfort County.
Son of Michael and Margaret (Rowan) Burke. Married
Bridgett Burke in 1865 ; children, Michael W., Mary A.,
Bridget D., Catherine, Margaret, John D., James, Dennis,
Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph and Agnes. He died in 1900.

Andrew D. Durkin Jr., born in 1841, Mayo County, Ire-
land. Married Mary Joyce, daughter of Thomas and Mary
Joyce. After the death of his wife, Mary Ellen Joyce, he
married Ida Nay. He settled on Roaring Creek in 1866 and
died in 1902.

Andrew Durkin Sr., born in County Mayo, Ireland. Set-
tled on Roaring Creek in 1854 and died in 1867.

Mathew Davis, born in Roscommon County, Ireland, in
1820. Married Anna Brady; children, James, Peter, Mary,
William, Thomas, Patrick, John, Catherine, Ellen, Agnes,
Winifred and Mathew. Mr. Davis died in 1906.

Michael H. King was born in Ireland in 1814. He came
to this country in 1855 and settled on Roaring Creek. He
married in Ireland, to Bridget Morgan. They had children,
John A. and Patrick M., both of whom were born in Ireland.
He was treasurer of Roaring Creek District 1865-9.

278 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

John A. King, son of Michael and Bridget (Morgan)
King was born in 1844, County Galwav, Ireland. He came
to America with his father, Michael H. King, and with him
settled on Roaring Creek. In 1867 he married Mary O'Con-
nor, of Philadelphia. Fifteen children were born to this union,
Maria, Michael W., Owen J., Anna T., Patrick F., John T.
Alice B., Frances G., Stephen, James. Winifred, Oscar B.,
William V., Alfred G. and Mary A.

Owen J. King, son of John A. and Mary (O'Connor)
King, was born in 1872. He was educated in the public
schools. Mr. King has been for a number of years promin-
ently connected with the business interests of the city as
merchant and in real estate and insurance, and as member of
the City Council. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster of
Elkins, which position he holds at the present time. He mar-
ried Gertrude Collins, of Logansport, Indiana, who died Feb-
ruary 6, 1913. Children, Madeline, Mildred and Clarence.

Patrick O'Connor was born in Ireland in 1830 and came
to America in 1855. He was a contractor in the building of
the B. & O. railroad. After practicing law for a while in
Grafton. W. Va., he came to Randolph and purchased land
on Roaring Creek in 1865. He was an uncle of Hon. John T.
McGraw, of Grafton. He died in 1901.

Thomas O'Connor was born in County Galwav, Ireland,
in 1824. He came to Roaring Creek in 1866. He married at
Cincinnati, Ohio, 1854; children, John P., James, Michael V.,
and Mary. He died in 1891.

Owen Riley, born in County Galwav, Ireland, in 1825.
In 1845 he married Mary Malia and came to America in 1852.
He came to Roaring Creek in 1855. Children, Bridget, Mich-
ael, Patrick, Mary, Ann, John, Maggie and James. He died in
1899.

Patrick Xaughton was born in County Mayo, Ireland,
and came to America in 1845. After working on the construc-
tion of the B. & O. railroad from Cumberland to Grafton in
1851, he came to Roaring Creek in 1856. Children, William,
Mary, Maggie, Ellen, Anna and Kate. He died in 1899.

Morris Hanifan, born in County Cavny, Ireland, 1820,
came to America in 1840. He worked on the C. & O. Canal

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 279

in its construction to Cumberland, then on the Winchester and
Strawsburg Pike to New Market, Va., then on the Staunton
and Parkersburg Pike to Huttonsville. He settled on Roar-
ing Creek in 1847. He married l.ettie Kittle. Children, John.
Patrick and Isaac' He died in 1868.

John Nallen Sr., was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in
1825. He married in 1845 and came to America in 1846 and
settled in Roaring Creek in the same year. Children, James,
John, .Margaret, Mary E. and Elizabeth. He died in 1901.

Patrick O'Connor, son of Michael O'Connor, was born
in County Galway, Ireland, in 1844. In 1876 he was married
to Mary McCauley. He settled on Pike near Middle Fork
River in Roaring Creek District. Children, Mary, Mathew,
Thomas, James and Pearl. He died in 1915.

Daniel Tahany was born in the County Sligo, Ireland, in
1815. He came to America in 1835. He married Bridget Mc-
Can in New York City in 1837. After working on the con-
struction of the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike, he settled on
Roaring Creek in 1846. Children, Mary, Margaret, Patrick,
John, Charles and Jane. Pie died in 1872.

John O'Donnell was horn in Ireland in 1817, and came to
America in 1834. Married Margaret Foy. Children, John,
Margaret and Maria. He died June 5, 1861, from gun shot
wound. He worked on S. & P. Pike in its construction
through Roaring Creek District.

The first priest to celebrate Mass in the Kingsville Parish
was Father Stack, of Staunton, Ya., at Patrick Flanigan's
house in 1865. In 1863 Father O'Connor with the aid of his
people commenced the erection of a log church, the first Cath-
olic church in Randolph. In 1872 Father Dacey came as res-
ident priest, but died soon thereafter. In 1873 Father Fitz-
patric came to take charge of the Mission. Soon the growing
congregation became too large for the little church and under
the leadership of Father Fitzpatrick, they built a commodious
church and rectory in the growing village of Kingsville.
Father Fitzpatrick also commenced the erection of a church
at Coalton, but it was completed by his successor, Father
Sauer.

L\\< i A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Father Fitzpatrick was twenty-eight years in Kingsville,
but has since died at Wheeling, W. Va. Father Fitzpatrick
was for man}- years one of the leading figures of the county
and had many friends throughout Randolph and adjoining
counties among the Protestants as well as the adherents of
his own religious faith.

The Rev. William Saner succeeded Father Fitzpatrick,
who in turn was succeeded by Rev. William Hall, who was
succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. John H. Cochran.

The opportunities of a new country with cheap lands, to-
gether with the oppression of English landlordism at home
were, perhaps, among the principal reasons for Irish immi-
gration to America. The average price paid by Irish settlers
for Roaring Creek lands was about SI. 25 per acre. These
same lands at the present time command fabulous price-, in
raanv instances, as a result of the discovery of very rich veins
of coal in that vicinity.

Owen Gilluly, born in 1816. in the Parish of Killgaffln,
County Roscommon. Ireland, son of John and Mary (John-
son) Gilluly. He came to America in 1847. landed in Xew
York, and from there came to West Virginia. In 1842 he
married Mary White at Weston. W. Ya. He was a stone
mason and cutter by trade. In 1853 he moved to St. Louis,
Mo., from there to Prairie. Wis., and later to St. Paul, Minn.
After spending about five years in the west he returned to
West Yirginia and settled in Roaring Creek District, Ran-
dolph Count}'. In 1858 he purchased a farm of 90 acres and
made some improvements on it. After the war he returned to
his trade and was foreman on the construction work of the
Weston Asylum for 13 years, he also did the mason work on
the Wesleyan Academy, at Buckhannon, in 1882. and was con-
tractor on the first Catholic church built in Randolph County
in the year of 1864. He spent the last few years of his life on
his farm. An incident which goes to show that he was not
easily outdone happened in 1863 in the time of the Civil War.
When General Imboden raided this county one of his soldiers
took a horse belonging to him. he being away from home at
the time, and on his return he quickly followed after by a
near cut. overtaking the soldier on the west bank of the Mid-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 281

die Fork River and catching his horse by the bridle, command-
ing" the soldier to dismount which he did, and the captain be-
ing near by seeing his undaunted courage told the soldier to
let him have his horse.

lie died December 25th, 1886, at the age of 69 years, and
was buried in St. Vincents cemetery near Kingsville, W. Va.
His wife died July 2nd, 1903, and is buried at the same place.

Their children's names were as follows: John, Mary, Ella,
James J., Annie, Bridget, Margaret, Katherine, Owen, Wil-
liam, Joseph, Agnes, Elizabeth, Teresa, and Sarah.

Edward Joyce was born in County Galway, Ireland, in
the year of 1833 ; married Bridget Joyce in 1857. He worked
on the B. & (). railroad for a while, coming to Roaring Creek
District in 1859, and purchased 220 acres of land in the Roar-
ing Creek Coal fields, which he improved and farmed. He
also dealt in cattle and sheep. He spent some time in the em-
ploy of the government in repairing roads in 1864, and served
a term as justice of the peace in 1863-1867. He was a remark-
able leader and very honorable in all his dealings. Chil-
dren's names were John T., James, Mary A., William L., Mar-
tin, Miles, Edward, Annie, Peter, Stephen and Isaac.

Michael King, born in 1839, in Parish of

County Galway, Ireland, son of Owen and Bridget (Morgan)
King, came to America in 1850, and learned the plastering
trade. He was in the government employ for three or four
years during the Civil War, after which he went to Baltimore,
Md., and in 1865 married Delia Joyce, sister of State Senator
Eugene Joyce, who served one or two terms in that capacity,
and was later elected municipal judge of Baltimore. He then
came to Randolph County, WT. Va., settled in Roaring Creek
District, wdiere he erected a house and store, this being th"
only store in that district for five or six years. He afterward
bought a farm of 120 acres in the Roaring Creek coal field,,
which he improved and farmed for a number of years..
Through his efforts a postoffice was established which was.
known as the Kingsville postoffice, and he was appointed post-
master, and served in that capacity during all the time he re-
mained at Kingsville, with the exception of a couple of short
intervals.

282 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

In 1895 he purchased eight acres of land at Fisher, (now
known as Mabie) and built the Mountain Mew Hotel, of
which he is proprietor. He is engaged in the mercantile bus-
iness, and is also postmaster at Mabie. His home is located
almost on the spot where General McClellan's headquarters
were when he camped at Roaring Creek just before the battle
of Rich Mountain, July 11. 1861.

Children's names are Eugene, Joseph M., William, Wal-
ter, Anna S., Katherine, Ada and Lillian.

Michael H. King, born in County Galway, Ireland, in the
year of 1814, son of Owen and Anna King, married in Ireland
in 1834 to Bridget (Morgan) King, immigrated to America
in 1850, and settled in Roaring Creek District. In 1856 he
purchased 400 acres of land which he farmed. He was elected
Township Treasurer in 1865 and served a term of four years.
Children were John A. and Owen.

Patrick Moyle was born in 1834, Parish of Cross Malina,
County Mayo, Ireland, and came to America in 1855, landed
at Baltimore, Md. He married Mary Cain, who was also from
same Parish. He remained there until 1860, when he came to
Roaring Creek and bought 150 acres of land in the Roaring
Creek coal fields where he built a home, improved and farmed
the land and lived the remainder of his life. He also bought
other land and property in Elkins, \Y. Va.

He died in 1902, and was buried in St. Vincent's ceme-
tery near Kingsville, W. Ya. His wife died a year or two
later and is also burried at the same place. Children's names
are as follows: John, James, Matthew, Daniel, Patrick, Wil-
liam, Mary Anna and Sarah.

Elihu A. Madden, son of John Madden and Cecelia
(Dwire) Madden, was born in 1849 in Randolph County, W.
Va., and married Anna Gilluly, daughter of Owen and Mary
(White) Gilluly, November 5, 1883. He received his educa-
tion in the public schools. In 1868 he started to work at stone
work and learned the stone cutting and masoning trade after
which he was employed on the locks on the Little Kanawha
River, later by the Edgar Thompson Company in the con-
struction of their steel plant at Braddock, Pa., then on the wa-
ter works in Pittsburgh, returning to his home in 1880 where

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 283

he worked on the farm until he was married, lie purchased a
farm of 100 acres adjoining 72 acres willed to him by his
father. Both tracts were in Roaring Creek coal field and he
farmed them until the city of Elkins begun to build, when
he was employed on the construction of the West Virginia
Central Railway shops, the Hotel Randolph, National and
Trust Bank buildings, court house, Davis and Elkins College
and the central high school building. In 1900 he moved his
family to Elkins, which place has been his home since that
time. Children, Mary E., B. Gertrude, Patrick F., Thomas J.,
Elizabeth B., Charles C. A., Leo C, Jerome L. A., Bernard,
Agnes and John.

Thomas Madden, son of John and Cecelia (Dwire) Mad-
den was born in 1846. He received his education in the pub-
lic schools of the state. During the war he was in the employ
of the government as teamster and later was made wagon
master or manager of a train of wagons. He was present at
the battles of Bull Run, Antietem and South Mountain. After
the war was over lie returned home and again entered school
and studied for a couple of terms, and in 1870 took up the pro-
fession of teaching, at which he was considered very success-
ful, and taught until the time of his death. He died May 5th,
1887.

Martin Madden, son of John and Cecelia (Dwire) Mad-
den, was born in 1858 in Randolph County, W. Va. He was
educated in the public schools. He married Xorah Moore in
1882. He taught school for about 20 years. He went west in
1888 and stayed about a year and then returned to West Vir-
ginia. In 1894 he went into the mercantile business at Coal-
ton, which he has followed all the time since, either at Mabie
or at Coalton. He is located at Mabie at the present time.

William P., son of John and Cecelia (Dwire) Madden was
born in Randolph County in 1857. He received his education
in the free schools from 1867 to 1870. He worked on pub-
lic works in Maryland in 1871 and 1872, and in 1873 went to
Weston, W. Va., where he was employed on the stone work
of the Weston Asylum for a short time, going from there to
Pittsburgh where he worked on the Pittsburgh Water Works
until 1875. He then returned home and worked on the farm

284 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

until 1877, when he took up the profession of school teaching
at which he was fairly successful. In 1884 he again returned
home and went to work on the home farm, later purchasing
50 acres of land in the Roaring Creek coal field, and his father
willed him 72 acres adjoining it, making 122 acres in all, which
he still owns. At the death of his father, upon him fell the re-
sponsibility of keeping up the home, where he lived with his
mother and sister until the death of his mother, after which
he and his sister Sarah moved to Coalton, W. Va., where they
now reside. He served as a member of the Book Board for
five years.

Edward D., son of John and Cecelia (Dwire) Madden,
was born at Old Town, Md., in 1840. He married Katherine,
daughter of Patrick and Bridget O'Connor in 1874. He en-
tered the government service in 1861 and was employed as a
teamster until 1865, being present at the battle of Gettysburg.
In 1865 he enlisted in the Seventh West Virginia Regiment
and served as a soldier until the close of the war, being mus-
tered out of service at Wheeling. W. Va., in July 1865.

In 1871 he purchased a farm of 50 acres in the Roaring
Creek coal fields, and on the death of his father was willed
100 acres of land, making a total of 150 acres. He made his
home here and farmed until 1908, when he moved to Elkins
where he owns property and now resides. Children, Mary,
Dennis, Edward D., Annie, Joseph.

Francis P. Madden, son of John and Cecelia (Dwire)
Madden, was born in 1856, in Randolph County, W. Va. He
received his education in the free schools of the State, and in
1871 lie took up the profession of school teaching which he
followed for a few years, but wishing to further his education
he entered the Flemington College where he studied for a
couple of terms, and then returned to teaching. In 1887 he
was elected County Superintendent, and in 1889 resigned to
accept a position in the Census Department at Washington
D. C, where he remained until 1893, at which time he returned
to Randolph County and taught school for a short time, and
later went into the merchandising business at Beverly and la-
ter at Coalton, W. Va., where he remained until the time of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 285

his death. He died in 1902 and was buried in St. Vincent's
cemetery near Kingsville.

John Madden, son of William and Mary (Brennan) Mad-
den, was born in the Parish of Kiltormer, County Galway,
Ireland, in 1815. In 1834 he came to America, landed in New
York City, and after a short stay in the State of New York
he came to Baltimore, Md., and was employed on the con-
struction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal from that point
to Cumberland. In 1839 he was married to Cecelia Dwire.
He then went to work on the State road from Winchester to
Staunton, Ya., and later was employed on the Staunton and
Parkersburg pike to Huttonsville, W. Va. He then located in
Tygarts Valley near Huttonsville, where he worked as a
tenant on the farms of Moses and John Hutton, also on the
Nagler farm. In 1859 he moved to Roaring Creek District,
and in 1863 purchased 350 acres of land in the Roaring Creek
coal field from Cyrus Kittle, which he lived on and farmed
the remainder of his life. He died February 9th, 1877, and
was buried in St. Vincents cemetery near Kingsville, W. Va.
His wife died August 15th, 1900, and is buried at the same
place. Their children's names were as follows : Edward D.,
John,. Thomas, William P., Elihu A., James, Mary A., Michael,
Francis P., Martin, Peter and Sara A.

John Stanton was born in Ireland, County Galwray, Par-
ish of Kiltormer, in 1826. He received an education in the Na-
tional schools of his country, and was married to Bridget
Morrisey ; immigrated to America in 1850, landed in New
York, going from there to Connecticut where he located and
being a shoemaker, worked at that trade for three years, then
he came to Grafton, W. Va., and worked along the B. & O.
railroad from that point to Kingwood, W. Va. In 1857 he
came to Randolph County, W. Va., and settled in Roaring
Creek district, where he purchased 250 acres of land, im-
proved it and farmed ; also worked at the shoemaker's trade.
After the war he taught in the free school of the district. He
was appointed postmaster at Middle Fork postoffice, Roaring
Creek district, in Grant's second administration, 1873, in
which capacity he served until 1884, when he was removed
by Grover Cleveland but was reinstated under William Mc-

286 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Kinley and served the remainder of his life. He died in 1895
and was buried in St. Vincent's cemetery near Kingsville.
Seven of his children lived to be grown. Their names are
Patrick, Thomas, George, Peter, Elizabeth, Mary and
Catherine.

Luke White, born in the Parish of Kiltevin, County Ros-
common, Ireland, came to America in 1854, landing in New
York City. He came to West Virginia and married Margaret
Burke, a widow. He worked on the B. & O. for a time and
later settled in Roaring Creek district, and in 1858 purchased
a farm of 100 acres where he made his home for the rest of his
life. He donated two acres of land to the Catholic congrega-
tion for church property and cemetery, and later when more
ground was needed he sold them seven and one-half acres
more to be used as garden, pasture, etc. The priests who vis-
ited that Parish prior to the time a Parish house was erected,
stayed at his house where they were made to feel very much
at home. In 1872 a Parish house was built, that being the
time at which Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick became pastor. He
died in 1881 and was buried at St. Vincent's cemetery near
Kingsville, W. Va. His wife died a few years later and was
buried at the same place.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 287

CHAPTER XVI.

FAMILY HISTORY.
Origin of Surnames.

OUR surnames, like everything else, had a beginning. In
England they were confined to the higher and land hold-
ing class prior to the fourteenth century. Many of the names
familiar in the history of this county first appeared in Domes
Day Book, written in England in 1086. It consisted of a list
of land holders at that time. Its authority was not to be ques-
tioned in disputes as to title to land and for this reason was
called the Domes Day Book or book of judgment.

Surnames were originally written over the other name
and is derived from the Latin surnom or the French super
nomen.

Many names weie derived from their baptismal ones by
adding the suffix son to the name of the father as John-son,
Wil-son, William-son, Peter-son, Richard-son, Adam-son.

The practice of using diminutives was often adopted by
the people to multiply the comparatively limited number of
names at their command. The Saxon diminutives commonly
used were kin, cock, ock, and the Norman ones at, et, on, or
in. Therefore it is ascertainable whether names so ending are
Norman or Saxon in their origin.

Before surnames came into vogue it was by no means an
uncommon practice to give all the sons of one family one
name, as William for example. They would be called Wil-kin,
Will-cock, Wrill-ot, Will-mot, which in the process of time
has changed to Wilmoth.

The suffixes ham, nam, an, and er were often used for
man. Thus originated the name Rowan, Rose-an, being iden-
tical with Rose-man, has passed through changes in orthog-
raphy, as Rows-an, until we have at present Rowan.

288 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Likewise we have the name Cuningham, derived from
Coney, Teutonic for rabbit and ham Xorman for man. The
old form of spelling Coney was Cunyng. In the regulation of
the Scottish Privy Council, August 6, 1602, regulating the
Masters and Barons of the University of Glaglow, amongst the
viands mentioned were "with ane foull or cunyng or a pair of
dovis and ciclyk to their Supper.*' Another probable origin
of the name is from the Anglo-Saxon Cyning for leader and
ham, Xorman for man. Then we have Cvningham, the leader
man.

The suffix lea, leah now ley is Anglo-Saxon, meaning an
untilled tract of land or pasturage, used as a shelter for an-
imals. In the origin of the name Woodley we have the Anglo-
Saxon word Wudu, meaning wood and lea or leah, meaning
land or pasturage. We then have Wudu-lea, now YVoodley.
meaning a lea on which there is a wood.

Roman names were derived from mental or physical char-
acteristics. Such words are Vise. Sharp, Dear, Able, Long,
Crouch, and Armstrong. The Romans were also partial to
animals covered with wool. It is probable that such names
as Fox. Wolf, and Bear had a Roman origin.

A very large number of other names had their origin in
the occupations as Weaver, Carpenter, Miller, etc.

Surnames in some instances had their origin in the sneers
of the vulgar, as is evidenced in the name Proudfoot.

ALLEX — Gaelic, exceedingly fair. In Domes Day Book
as Alan.

ARMSTRONG — Strength in battle. An ancient King
of Scotland had his horse killed under him and Fairburn, his
armour bearer, taking him by the thigh, set him in his own
saddle. The King gave him the appellation of Armstrong.
See Scott's Lay of The Last Minstrel.

AP, MAB. and AB are Welsh words meaning son. In
the early history of Randolph we find Morgan ap Morgan.

AT or ATTE was used to describe the place of residence
as John-at-Wood, now Atwood.

BEXT — English, a plain or Moor.

BELL — The name Bell was taken from the sign of an
inn or tavern. The sign of a bell was frequently used to desig-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 289

nate that the house was an inn. John-at-the-bell became John
Bell. Belle in French means beautiful.

BARNARD — The name Barnard is from Bean or Bairn,
a child and ard, Teutonic for nature. The word Barnard,
therefore, described one of a child-like nature, or affection.

BING — The surname Bing is from the Danish Binge, an
inclosure or a place where supplies are kept.

BOGART — German, Boomelgard, an orchard.

BOSELEY--The name Boseley is derived like Bosworth
except that the suffixes "lea" and "worth" have reference to
small estates slightly different in their characteristics.

BOSWORTH— The Anglo-Saxon words, wirth, worth,
urth, means a small estate. This word combined with the old
Norse word Bass, middle English Bose or Boose, "a stall in
which cattle are kept in winter," gives us Bose-worth or
Booseworth, now Bosworth. Bosworth would then mean
a worth on which there is a boose or an estate on which there
is a cattle stall. However, there is another probable origin of
the word Bosworth. This Bos is from the personal name Bosa
or Boso, found more than a score of times in the Onomasticon.
In this case Bosworth means the worth or estate of Boso,
getting its name from the owner.

BRADLEY — The name Bradley is from the Anglo-Saxon
word Bradlea, Brad meaning broad and "lea" or "leah" a
pasturage.

BUTCHER — Xorse as Buoker, Danish as Boedker, Ger-
man as Boettcher, Flemish as Buker or Buscher, French as
Boucher.

CAR — French as Carre, meaning broad shouldered, Norse
as Kari\ In Domes Day Book as Carr.

CASSIDY — Gaelic from cassaideach, apt to complain.

CHENY — French, a grove.

COB — German as Kobe, Scotch as Kobbes. The name
appears in the Domes Day Book as Copsi. The English Cob
originated from Jacob.

COLLETT — The word Collett is- from the ecclesiastical
word Acolyte, attendant, and is from the Greek. The Acolyte
was one of the minor order of clergy in the ancient church.
We learn from the canons of the fourth council of Carthage

290 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

that the Archdeacon at the ordination put into the hands of
the Acolyte a candlestick with a taper and an empty pitcher
to imply that they were appointed to light the candles of
the church and to furnish wine for the eucharist. Their dress
was the cossack and the surplice. The name and the office
still exist in the church.

COLLIER — French as Coulier.

CRAWFORD — The name Crawford is Gaelic in its or-
igin, and means a pass of blood. From "cm," bloody and
"ford" a way. The name was first assumed by the barony
of Crawford in England.

CURTIS — The name Curtis is derived from and is an ab-
breviation of courteous. The name was perhaps first applied to
a person noted for his urbanity.

DANIELS — The name Daniels is from Daniel, signifying
the judgment of God. The "s" added is a contraction of son.

DAVIS — French as Devis.

DENTON — Denton is derived from "Den" a valley and
"ton" a town, meaning a town in a valley.

DICK — Dyck, German bulwark thrown against a sea or
river.

DILWORTH— French, Diluerth.

DOVE — Norse, Dufan, German, Dove.

DOWNING — A local name in Worchester, England.

FERGUSON — From the Gaelic and Celtic Feor, mean-
ing man and Guth, meaning voice or word. The two words
meaning the man of the word or commander. A fierce and
brave chieftain.

GILMORE— From the Irish, McGiolla Muire.

GOFF — Goff is the variation of the German word Gough
or Gow, being the German for the English Smith, and is,
therefore, occupational in its origin.

HANSFORD — The name Hansford is derived from the
Welsh words, "Han" meaning old and "ford" meaning way.
The name Hanford, now Flansford, therefore, means the old
way.

HARDING— Norse as Haddingr. Harding from "here"
or "har," meaning an army and "ing" a meadow. A meadow
in which an army is encamped.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 291

HARMAN — The name Harman is from the German
"Har" originally meaning- soldier and man. The name, there-
fore, was perhaps first applied to a military man.

HART — Norse as Hyortr. In Domesday Book as Hard.
HARPER — Some names as Harper may be either Ger-
man or English in their origin. Harper, meaning one who
contributes to musical entertainments, would lead to the con-
clusion that the name is of English etymology, being occu-
pational in its origin. However in the early records of Shen-
andoah Valley, the word as Herber and Herrber. This makes
it probable that the name is German.

HARRIS— Norse as llarri, Domesday Book as Harries.
HAZEETINE, from Hazeldine.
HERON— Welsh, a hero.
HILL — German, Hille.

HUTTON— The Anglo-Saxon words "tun" and "ton"
mean small enclosed farmsteads or villages. In the derivation
of the word Hough-ton, now Hutton, we have the Anglo-
Saxon words "Hough" or "Hob," meaning a heel and "tun"
or "ton" meaning an enclosed village or farmstead. The
name Houghton, now Hutton, was probably applied originally
to a resident of an enclosed village or farmstead in the shape
of a "hob" or heel.

JACKSON— English, Danish as Jacobson, French as
Jackchen.

JOYCE — Irish, Normandy as Joyeus.

KENDALL — An English word derived from the two
words Kent and Dale. Kent-dale, now Ken-dall. meant a dale
on the River Kent, so the name was probably applied origi-
nallv to a people living in such a locality.

KELLY- -The surname Kelly is derived from the Gaelic
and Celtic Kill or Cille, a church. The name was, perhaps,
first applied to an individual who was in some manner con-
nected with the church.

KENNEDY — Irish, O'Ceannfhada, originally.
KYLE — The name Kyle is from a district in Scotland,
through which the River Coyle flows.

KITTLE — A name introduced into England, perhaps,
at the time of the Norman conquest. Thor, the Supreme God

292 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

of the Norsemen, is the root word of many of our surnames.
The sacrificial kettle or cauldron was an important article in
the worship of Thor. Thor-Kettle or Thyr-Kittle is a com-
mon name in England to this day. The word now appears
in this country as Kittle.

LONG — It is said that the name Long originated from
a very tall attendant of Lord Treasurer Hungerford. The
Longs were very numerous in Oxfordshire, Cambridge, Eng-
land, in the reign of Edward the First.

LLOYD — From the Gaelic Lhuyd and signifies gray or
brown.

MARSHALL — The name Marshall originated in the
north of England and was at first spelled Marechal. It means
master of the horse.

MAXWELL — The Maxwells took their name from a
village in Roxburgshire, England.

McLEAN — The name McLean is derived from MacGil-
ean, a highland chieftain and a celebrated warrior.

McINTOSH — "Mac," son, and "tosh," leader. Then Mc-
intosh means son of a leader.

MOORE — The name Moore is from the Celtic word
"morh," meaning big.

MULLENIX — French as Molynix, from "moulin" a mill.

McQUAIN — Irish, and is probably derived from "Mac,''
son, and "cairn," a heap of stones erected by the earl}- inhabi-
tants of the British Islands as sepulchral monuments. The
name was originally McCairn.

PHILLIPS — The surname Phillips is from a Greek word
meaning a lover of horses.

PRITT — From the Norse Prudi.

RUSSEL — French from Roussel, a stream or brook. In
Domesday Book as Rozell.

RYAN — Normandy as Royan, Danish as Ryan,.

SCHOONOYER — Derived from Schoonoven, a place in
South Holland. The word is from "Schoon," an old Dutch
word meaning fine and "hoven," a garden or court.

SCOTT — The origin of the name Scott is clouded in
doubt. Scotylle. Anglo-Saxon for winnowing fan is given by
some writers as the original word. Other scholars sav the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 293

word meant rulers or possessors. Again it is maintained that
the Scotts who invaded Argyle in 360 were so called because
the word "Scotti" meant sacred painters or sculptors, an art
in which these people were proficient.

SEE — German, lake. Thunersee, the lake of Thun.

SHANNON — The name Shannon is derived from the
Shannon River in Ireland. The word was originally Shen-
abhanon.

SHREEVES — Derived from "Schir," a Shire, division, or
township and reeve, the Bailiff. The word then means a Bail-
iff of a Shire.

S — The Welsh merely appended "s" instead of son as
Edwards and Davis.

SMITH — The word Smith was an occupational one; the
original word was "smote," the art of striking the anvil. The
name is a very common one because, at the time of the adop-
tion of surnames, the smith made almost everything used in
the arts of war and peace. A very large number of people
were engaged in the trades of gunsmith, blacksmith, tinsmith,
silversmith, etc.

STALNAKER— Derived from the German word "Stahal"
or "Stahl" meaning Steele, and "Xagel," a sharp point or
spear. Then the original word was Stahl-nagel, meaning a
sharp pointed Steele spear. So the name was, perhaps, first
applied to a warrior who was armed with such a weapon.

TAGGART — Appears as McTaggart in Scotch.

TALBOTT — English, and appears in the Domesday
Book as spelled at present.

TYRE — Derived from "Tyreman," a dresser. From the
fact that the Norman suffix "er" is used to abbreviate the
word, it is to be presumed that it is of Norman origin.

WARD — From the Anglo-Saxon "weard," a watchman.

WARNER — Appears in the Domesday Book as Warn.

WEESE — From the German "weiss" meaning white, or
"waas" meaning bold.

WAMSLEY — Derived from a Lancashire township of
that name.

WEYMOTH — The name Weymoth is provincial iij its
origin, being first, perhaps, applied to residents about the

294 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

mouth of the small River Wey in England. The City of Wey
at the mouth of this river, is very ancient. The Anglo-Saxon
word was Wagemuth, from "wage" meaning a wave or pas-
sage way, and "ninth" meaning a mouth.

WHITE — Derived from the Anglo-Saxon "hweit," mean-
ing fairness of complexion.

WILMOTH — derived from the baptismal name of Wil-
liam as explained elsewhere. Originally the name was spelled
Wilmot.

Nicholas was a favorite name in the Wilmot family in
England. Sir Nicholas was Knight in the seventeenth cen-
tury in England. His grandfather was named Nicholas. It
is significant that the eldest of the Wilmoth brothers to lo-
cate in Randolph was named Nicholas.

YEAGER — Danish, huntsman. Yagere also means a
sweetheart.

Variation in Surnames.

Individual peculiarities in pronunciation largely accounts
for the variations in spelling of surnames. In the earlier his-
tory of the county names were seldom written and the ear
was the only guide to the spelling and in some cases the only
method of transmitting names from one generation to another.
Then the settler often coming direct from European countries,
embraced the opportunity to simplify and abbreviate a cum-
bersome name. This was particularly true of German names.
The object was sometimes to change the form into English
Thus we have Armikast changed to Arbogast, Herman tracht
to Armentrout, Bauman to Bowman, Kromet to Crummett,
Kerper to Carper, Dahle to Dolly, Herber to Harper, Herr-
man to Harman, Heffner to Hevener, Huber to Hoover, Loch
to Lough, Roeder to Rader, Sieman to Simmons, Schaefer to
Shaver, Schneider to Snyder, Sponaugen to Sponaugle, Tehudi
to Judy, Wetzel to Whetsell, Wildfang to Wilfong, Zwicken-
fus to Zickafoose.

A HISTORY OB" RANDOLPH COUNTY 295

Classification of Names.

The following classification of names though not free
from error is in the main correct:

English.

Ayers.

Blair, Bosworth, Bell, Brown, Bradley, Barlow, Bent,
Bennett, Bishop, Bond, Boseley, Blackman, Brandley.

Chenoweth, Cook, Channell.

Daniels, Day, Digman, D'avisson, Dawson, Denton.

Earle, Elliott, England, Elza, Elkins.

Findley, Fox.

Goddin, Gibon, Gandy, Gawthrop.

Haymond, Hart, Harding, Hansford, Hunt, Mutton, Har-
ris, Henderson, Hadden, Holder, Howell.

Isner.

Jones, Jackson, Johnson.

Kittle, Kelley, Kimble.

Lamb, Lee, Long.

Marshall, Morris, Mason.

Porter, Powers, Payne, Pennington, Patterson, Potts.

Russell, Roy, Reed, Robinson.

Smith, Summerfield, Skidmore, Shreve.

Taylor, Turner, Taft, Thompson, Triplett.

Woodford, Williamson, Weymouth, Wamsley, Woodley,
Ward, Wilmoth, White, Wilson.

Irish.

Adams, Adamson.

Burns, Bodkin, Boggs, Brady, Boyles, Beaty.
Clark, Collier, Connolly, Cain, Coff, Crickard, Cunninj
ham, Currence.

Donohoe, Daugherty, Davis, Durkin.

Ford, Ferguson Flanigan.

Gainer.

Jordan, Joyce.

Keenan, Kinnan, Kee, Kennedy.

296 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Murphy, MsLain, McAllister.

Phares.

Rains, Rooney, Ryan, Rowan.

Scott.

Wood.

German.

Alt, Arbogast, Armentrout.

Bowers, Baker, Ball, Buckey, Bowman.

Car, Conrad, Caplinger, Crummett, Carper, Canfield, Col-
lins, Curtis.

Dove, Dolly.

Eberman, Eye.

Fisher, Friend.

Gofr.

Haigler, Halterman, Ffarman, Harper, Hedrick, Hevener.
Hinkle, Hoover, HufTman.

Tudy.

Ketterman, Kyle.

Lantz, Lough.

Marteny, Moyers, Marstiller.

Rigleman, Rosencranse, Rader, Riffle, Rohrbaugh,
Rinehart.

Shaver, Simmons, Sites, Snyder, Sponaugle, Swadley,
Smith, Stalnaker, See, Swecker, Schoonover.

Teter, Tingle, Tolly.

Yandevander, Yanpelt.

Westfall, Weere, Wolf, Wimer, Whetsell.

Yokum, Yeager.

Zickafoose.

Scotch.

Anderson, Armstrong.
. Collett, Cowgeer, Cunningham, Campbell, Crawford.
Lambert, Logan.
' McLearv, McMullen, McClung, McLean, McDonald, Mc-
Ouain, McCorkel.

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY

297

Nelson.

Simpson, Skidmore.

Thompson.

Van soy.

Welch.

Davis.
Howell.
Lewis.
Williams.

Capitio, Cassell.
Montony, Mullenix.
Tyre.

French.

Spanish.

Pedro.

Extinct Families of Randolph.

This list includes pioneer families of Randolph that have
no descendants of the same name residing- within the county.
Families of the same name may live in the county, but they
are not of the same strain of blood as the names here men-
tioned. As a rule these families pushed farther west when
Randolph assumed the staid aspect of older communities ;

Anderson, Armstrong, Adams, Alford.

Barnhouse, Bingham, Blair, Bogard, Baxter, Bell, Blain,
Bond, Botkin, BrufT, Bridger, Booth, Breckenridge, Bent,
Brian, Buffington, Briggs, Bozart, Bogard.

Connonly, Cutright, Cade, Casto, Carpenter, Casey, Cass-
ity, Claypool, Crane, Combs, Carney.

Donohoe, Dougherty, Dolbeare.

Evick, Eberman England, Friend, Fink, Files.

Gandy, Gibson.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Haigler. Heath. Holder. Hughes. Hiller. Harris.
Kinnan. Kozer.
Lackey. Leekv. Longacker.

Mace. McLeary, McLean. McMullen. Maxwell. Myers,
Maddix.

Xelson.
-born.
Petty. Powell.

Ralston. Rummell. Reeder. Rollins.
Sprii1^: ne, Si ut, Steers, Slagle.
Taft, Taggart. Taftee. Troutwine. Turner.
Warthen, Warwick, Whitman. Whiteman, Wise. Wolf.

HISTORIES OF FAMILIES IX RANDOLPH COUNTY.

In this chapter will be found a brief his: : the pioneer

families i Randolph: their origin, place : settlement and
:her facts as are now obtainable :

THE ARNOLD FAMILY.
Arnold. In the year 1765 three brothers. Jonathan. An-
drew, and Jesse Arnold removed from Chester County, near
Philadelphia, the place of their birth, and located in the vicin-
ity of old Fort Redstone now Brownsville. Pa.). The his-
tor . hester County makes mention of but one family of

the name of Arnold residing there prior to the date named,
viz: Richard Arnold, who died in the year 1720 leaving a la: g
family. He was presumably the grandfather of the three
brothers named. At that time this section was claimed to be a
part of irginia, and the Arnold brothers supposed they were

:ating in that State. They brought with them their family
slaves. Later when the controversy as to the State line was

::led. leaving this - in Pennsylvania, their supposed

slaves beins; in free territorv were frt

I. Jonathan, the first of the above named brothers, had
married Rachel Scott. There was born to them children
follows : Samuel. Benjamin. Levi. Jonathan. William, of

*The county records, of that period, containing enumeration of
property includes the slaves and names of owner-

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 299

whom further mention is made; James, Rachel, Hannah and
Sarah. The said William and James were twin brothers. It
may be mentioned as an interesting incident, that in a genea-
ogical chart of the Arnold family on rile in the Congressional
Library in Washington, extending back to the eleventh cen-
tury, inscriptions are copied from four tombstones in England,
of about the sixteenth century, and three of the four bear the
same family names above given, viz: William Arnold, born
1537, James Arnold died 1631, Sarah Arnold born 1623.

II. William, son of Jonathan and Rachel (Scott) Arnold,
was brought up and resided in what later became Greene
County, Pennsylvania. He married Hulda Knotts, daughter
of a prominent citizen of the same section. Here he owned
a valuable farm and followed that occupation. Children, Jon-
athan Of whom further, William, Rachel, Sarah, Charles Pink-
ney and Caroline.

III. Jonathan (HI) the eldest son of William and Hulda
( Knotts) Arnold was born and raised on his father's farm
near West Brownsville, Greene County, Pa., the date of his
birth being March 27th, 1802. He settled at Beverly, in Ran-
dolph County, then Virginia, in 1822, where he continued to
reside until his death which occured July 20th, 1883.

Upon locating in Beverly, Jonathan Arnold established
a tannery. He continued in this business a few years only,
when he eng'aged in speculating and cattle grazing, being us-
ually successful in his business ventures. He was an ardent
Whig, and was for years one of the leaders of his party in his
adopted county. He never sought nor would he accept office,
but many a political battle was waged in the county under
his leadership, the result leaving no doubt in the minds of the
opposition as to his active participation therein. He wras a
conservative man of the soundest judgment, of unquestioned
integrity, of a kind heart, sympathetic and considerate with
those in distress, of uncompromising sternness with dishon-
est}' in any place, and a trusted friend who could alwavs be
relied upon. His advice and judgment were frequently sought,
and given freely to those whom he esteemed, and when ob-
served rarely failing to benefit and profit the recipient.

At the breaking out of the Civil War Jonathan Arnold

300 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

was strongly opposed to the State seceding from the Union,
and he voted in 1861, with the minority in his county, against
the ratification of the Ordinance of Secession. Early in the
war, however, when he saw the policy of the Federal admin-
istration trending, in his opinion, beyond the limits of the
Constitution, he experienced no great change in finding his
sympathies more in accord with the seceding states, as they
seemed to him more nearly in line with the tenets of the Con-
stitution. He was fearless in adherence to his principles and
convictions, and he strongly opposed and voted against the
formation of the State of \Yest Virginia, at a time when such
a vote stamped one with disloyalty in the eyes of the Federal
commanders stationed throughout the State, and subjected
him to risk of arrest and imprisonment. In the autumn of
1863, he was arrested by the United States authority ; was
never informed as to any charge against him except the gen-
eral charge of disloyalty, and was held as a prisoner until the
close of the war. Through the intercession of influential
friends he was paroled within narrow limits shortlv after his
arrest, but was not allowed to return to the vicinity of his
home until a short time preceding his release.

Jonathan Arnold possessed one of the largest and most
carefully selected libraries in his section of the State. En-
dowed with an unusually retentive memory, he read his books
and between the lines, the result being that he was a man of
unusual information.

In the year 1827 he united in marriage with Thursa,
daughter of Eli and Elizabeth (Hart) Butcher, a prominent
merchant and resident of Beverly. He lost his wife within a
little over a year, one child only surviving the mother, but
dying in youth. In 1841 he married Phoebe Ann, daughter
of Solomon and Edith (Davisson) Collett, and was again un-
fortunate, his wife dying in a few months. In September,
1844, he was united in marriage with Laura Ann, daughter
of Jonathan and Julia (Xeale) Jackson, of Clarksburg, West
Virginia, and the only sister of Thomas J., afterward Gen-
eral "Stonewall*' Jackson.* By this marriage there were four

fSee sketch of Edward Jackson.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 301

children, the youngest dying in infancy, the three eldest
being Thomas Jackson, Anna Grace, and Stark W., who died
in 1898. Anna Grace became the wife of Major C. H. Evans,
of Springfield, O. She died in 1878, having previously lost
her two little children.

IV. Thomas Jackson Arnold was born at Beverly, No-
vember 3, 1845. He was the eldest son of Jonathan and Laura
Ann (Jackson) Arnold. At the age of thirteen he was placed
in school at Lexington, Va., making his home with his uncle,
Major Jackson, afterward General "Stonewall" Jackson. In
1863-4 he attended school at Parkersburg, West Va., under
Rev. William L. Hyland, rector of Christ Church. In 1866
he began the study of law at Beverly, under Colonel David
Goff, and afterward took the course in law and equity at
Washington and Lee University, Virginia, graduating from
that institution in 1867, with the degree of LL.B. Judge John
W. I'rokenbrough at that time filling the chair. The next
year he began the practice of his profession in his native town
and in the autumn of that year was elected Prosecuting At-
torney for Randolph. In 1879 he was re-elected by a largely
increased majority, and in 1872 was for the third time elected
with a still larger majority. The last term was for four years,
under the new Constitution, then but recently adopted.

On June 1, 1876, Mr. Arnold married Miss Eugenia Hill,
daughter of Lieutenant-General D. H. Hill, a distinguished
Confederate officer. General Hill was prominent in many
battles of the Civil War. He was in command at Big Bethel,
the first important Confederate victory. As Major-General
his Division did some of the heaviest fighting in the Seven
Days battles near Richmond, particularly at Fair Oaks,
Gaine's Mill, and Malvern Hill ; later at Second Bull Run, at
'South Mountain and Antietam or Sharpsburg. At Chicka-
mauga, as Lieutenant-General, he commanded an army corps,
the right wing of Bragg's army. He surrendered with Joseph
E. Johnston, April, 1865. After the war he was quite promi-
nent in literary and educational work to the time of his death,
September 24th, 1889. Miss Hill was a native of Lexington,
Va., but from childhood her father's home was in Charlotte,
North Carolina.

302 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

In 1880, Mr. Arnold removed to San Diego, California,
where he continued the practice of law. In 1886 he was ap-
pointed by President Cleveland, Collector of the Port of San
Diego, and continued in that position throughout the re-
mainder of Mr. Cleveland's term and for nearly two years un-
der the Harrison administration. The duties of the office
during the period of his incumbency were particularly ar-
duous, in consequence of the rapid growth of San Diego from
a town of 3,000 to a city of 25,000 inhabitants. The records
of the Treasury Department show that during Mr. Arnold's
administration the cost of collecting in the San Diego District
was reduced to a lower percentage on the dollar collected than
had ever been done before or since. The following newspaper
extract is from the pen of his successor in office under the
Republican administration: "Mr. Arnold yesterday surrend-
ered the office of Collector of the Port of San Diego to his
successor. Mr. Arnold has held the office for nearly a full
term, and has administered it with Ids characteristic integrity
and fidelity. His rulings on close questions, upon which there
were no decisions, have been sustained by the Department
with much uniformity, and he lias had the pleasure of seeing
several of his suggestions adopted as Department rules of ad-
ministration. The business of the office has increased largely
during his term of office, and he turns it over to his successor
in good condition."

In 1896 Mr. Arnold, with his family, returned to Wesl
Virginia to look after his business interests in that State. He
resided on one of his farms at Arnold Hill station, midway
between Elkins and Beverly. There were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Arnold four children, a daughter, Miss Isabel, and three
^ons, viz: Daniel Harvey II ill, Thomas Jackson and Eugene 11.

V. Daniel Harvey Hill, son of Thomas Jackson and Eu-
genia (Mill) Arnold, was born at P>everlv, \Y. \"a. Me was
educated at the preparatory schools in San Diego, Calif., later
attended Davidson College, North Carolina, then Washington
and Lee University, from which he graduated with the degree
of bachelor of arts in the year 1900. Eater he took a course
of law in the office of his uncle. Judge Joseph M. Hill, late
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Arkansas. From there

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 303

he went to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where
he completed his law course. He has been engaged since 1902
in the practice of his profession at the city of Elkins, in which
he has been successful and is an energetic and leading citizen.
He is a director of the Peoples National Bank, is a member of
the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Benevolent
and Protective Orders of Elks.

Mr. Arnold married at Monticello, Fla., October 24, 1906,
Mary Ann, born at Monticello, November 29, 1884, died at
Elkins, September 1, 1909, without issue; daughter of James
and Mary (Hansell) Denham. Her father served in the Con-
federate Army in the Civil War, and was afterward a mer-
chant and planter, living at Monticello. In Auguest, 1914,
Mr. Arnold married the second time. Miss Rebecca Andrews,
of Staunton, Va. They have one child, a daughter.

VI. Thomas Jackson, son of Thomas Jackson and Eu-
genia (Hill) Arnold, was born in San Diego, California. He
attended the preparatory schools there and later in Lexing-
ton, Virginia. He then entered the A. and M. College at Ra-
leigh, North Carolina, and afterward the Maryland Agricul-
tural College near Washington City. After a few years of
business life in Elkins, he decided to become a foreign mission-
ary and was appointed by his church to become their business
manager for the American Presbyterian Congo Mission, and is
stationed at Luebo, Belgian Congo, Central Africa. In this
work for the moral and spiritual uplift of these natives of
Africa he is both happy and useful and constantly sees good
results and would not exchange places with any one. In other
words, life in Central Africa is not a hardship for him, and
lie has newer felt that he was making a sacrifice.

\ II. Eugene Hill, son of Thomas Jackson and Eugenia
(Mill) Arnold, was born in San Diego, California. He was
educated at Davis and Elkins College, West Virginia, grad-
uating with the degree of bachelor of arts. He later studied
law at the Georgetown University, and having a strong in-
clination for newspaper work became a reporter on the Wash-
ington Heraid. After a few months he changed to the Balti-
more Sun and served as one of their Washington City re-
porters. Later he was assigned by the Sun to report news

304 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

of the White House and the departments, being called to Bal-
timore during the National Democratic convention of 1912.
After being on the Sun's staff for a year, he resigned this po-
sition and again resumed the study of law, this he continued,
subject to one interruption. He was prevailed upon to act as
press agent for the State of West Virginia for the Xational
Democratic committee in the Wilson campaign. After dis-
charging this onerous duty in the interests of his party, he
entered the law department of the State University at Mor-
gantown. and completed the two years course at this institu-
tion in a little over one year. Since then he has been in con-
tinuous practice, being the junior member of the law firm of
Arnold and Arnold, Elkins, West Virginia. He has recently
been elected city attorney. Mr. Arnold is a member of the
B. P. O. Elks, of the I. O. O. F. and of the Loyal Order of
Moose.

Rev. Stark W. Arnold, son of Jonathan Arnold, was born
in Beverly, December 20, 1851. Early in life he was appointed
to a clerkship in the Interior Department in Washington,
where he remained about seven years. During this period he
took the course of law, graduating from the Columbia Law
School. He then came to Beverly, locating soon afterward
at Buckhannon, engaging in the practice of his profession.
In the fall of 1876 he was a candidate for the office of Prose-
cuting Attorney of Upshur County, and was elected by an
overwhelming majority, the largest that had been given a can-
didate in that county at that time. On account of his father
failing in health, requiring his personal attention, he returned
to Beverly to reside in the year 1879, and continued there un-
til after his father's death in 1883. During this last residence
at Beverly he was elected to the senate from that senatorial
district, serving out the full term of four years, introducing
and successfully carrying through several measures of legisla-
tion that attracted considerable attention throughout the
State, notably, the election law, the changes then made lead-
ing up to the present system. It was while serving in the
Senate that he concluded to do that which had long been a
subject of deep consideration with him, viz : to go into the
ministry. In order to prepare himself for this, he entered

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 305

Drew Theological Seminary, where he remained and complet-
ed his theological course. Shortly afterward he began his
ministerial work in the State of New York, where he con-
tinued in active work to the end of his life, August, 1898,
preaching his last sermon only three weeks preceding his
death. In December, 1880, he married Miss Lizzie Gohen, of
Cincinnati, O. She and four children survive him.

THE ARBOGAST FAMILY.

The Arbogast Family. This family, numerously repre-
sented in Randolph, is of German descent, and settled in
what is now Highland County, Virginia, prior to 1779. The
name was originally spelled Armikast. Adam Arbogast was
Captain of a company of Pendleton militia in 1793.

THE AEMENTROUT FAMILY.

The Armentrout Family. This family is of German de-
scent. The name was originally spelled Erhmantrout. Chris-
topher Armentrout moved from Rockingham County, Vir-
ginia, to what is now Grant County prior to the Revolution.
The immediate ancestors of the Armentrouts in Randolph
lived in Grant and Pendleton counties.

Hiram, son of Christopher, was born in Pendleton Coun-
tv in 1811. He married Amanda Smith. Their children wrere,
John W., who married Martha Dolly; Christopher, who mar-
ried Pheoba Mullenix; Aaron, Mary, Martha, Isaac, Anne,
Susan, Adina and Nevada.

John W. Armentrout was born in 1843 and was married
in 1868 to Martha, daughter of John and Susan Dolly. Their
children are Robert E., Laura V., Stella C, Jasper C. and
Wilbur E.

Christopher Armentrout was born in 1845. Children, Ola
E., Vista G., Carrey L., Elva T., Viva and Orgie. He came
from Pendleton to Randolph in 1872 and was elected a mem-
ber of the counttv court in 1888. His grandfather, Christopher
Armentrout, was born in Grant County in 1775. In 1792 he
entered 218 acres of land in the vicinity in which his grand-
son, Christopher, is now a resident, but he did not occupy it.
His greatgrandmother, Catherine Peterson, was captured at
Fort Seybert by the Indians in 1758. About forty settlers

306 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

were in the fort and all were massacred but two who were
held in captivity and taken to their village near Chilicothe,
Ohio. Catherine Peterson was among the number spared.
The Shawnee Trail by which they returned to Ohio passed
through or near the city of Elkins. A brave had pity on Mrs.
Peterson and gave her a pair of moccasins that she might
travel with greater comfort. She remained in captivity for
six years. Two hundred captives were rescued by General
Boquet, who attacked the Indian towns in Ohio in 1764. They
were returned to Fort Pitt. Airs. Peterson was among the
number and from there returned to her home in Pendleton.
In 1788 Uriah Gandy sold to Christopher Armentrout
131 acres on Gandy Creek, Randolph County. The name was
spelled in the conveyance Hermantrout.

THE BOSWORTH FAMILY.

The Bosworth Family. The first of the Bosworth family
to locate in what is now West Virginia were Joshua and a
brother whose name is now not known. The brother after a
brief sojourn in Virginia, moved farther west and located at
Marietta, Ohio. Joshua Bosworth married in Massachusetts
a Miss Squire and to this union were born, in the native State,
the following children : Joshua, Amaziah, Squire, Parley, Har-
riet, who married John Phillips, of French Creek, Upshur
County; Delaney, who married Alpheus Rude and moved to
Illinois; Rhoda, who married a Mr. Allen and moved to Ohio.

Squire Bosworth was born in Montgomery, Massachu-
setts in 1785 and died at Beverly, West Virginia, in 1870. He
married Hannah, daughter of Peter Buckey, in 1816. Unto
this union were born John W., Squire Newton, George W.,
Elam B., Rebecca, who married Rev. C. S. M. See; Lucy, who
married Capt. T. A. Bradford ; Harriet, who married Charles

See ; Martha, who married McGuffin, Christina, who

married William Brown ; Mary, who married Adam Crawford.

Dr. John W. Bosworth married Mattie Dold. Child,
Annie, who became the wife of Dr. Chas. Williams.

Geo. W. Bosworth married Mary, daughter of John and
Ann (Conrad) Currence. Children, Drs. John L., Albert S.
and Perry.

Joshua Bosworth came to Virginia with the New Eng-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

307

land colony that settled on French Creek. I le located on Tur-
key Run, near the Upshur-Harrison line. Among the families
that comprised that settlement were the Goulds, Burrhs, Mor-
gans, Phillips, Brooks, Sextons and the Phillips. They were
well educated and devout Christians and were of the best ma-
terial for a new country.

DR. SQUIRE BOSWORTH.

308 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Dr. Squire Bosworth after teaching- school for a time in
Parkersburg and Beverly studied medicine under Dr. Dolbear
and attended lectures in Richmond, Virginia. He was for
nearly half a century the only physician in Randolph. He
was clerk of the county court of Randolph as well as deputy
for a number of years under Archibald Earle. He also repre-
sented Randolph and Tucker in the Virginia Assembly prior
to the Civil War.

Dr. J. L. Bosworth married Rachael, daughter of Ran-
dolph and Katherine (Hutton) Crouch. Children, Mary, who
married Tracy Fling, of Gilmer County, and Hallie and John
Woodbridge.

Dr. Perry Bosworth married in Pocahontas County, Lucy,
daughter of Joseph Samuel and Abigail (Curry) Smith.

Dr. A. S. Bosworth married in 1882, Julia M., daughter of
Geo. W. and I!. Keziah (Boyers) Davis. Children, Stella V.,
who married Blake Taylor. Mrs. l>osworth died in 1885. He
married his second wife, Miss Eleanor, daughter of Henry and
Elizabeth (Snyder) Weisgerber, of Baltimore, in 1894. One
child, Stanley, has been born of this union.

The original home of the Bosworths in England was in
Leicester County, an inland town. Bosworth Field and Bos-
worth Market are historic places in Leicester. Benjamin was
perhaps the first of the name to come to America in about
1630, settling at Highham, Massachusetts. The Bosworths
in New England intermarried with the Mortons, Childs, Stur-
devants and Mathers.

Squire N. Bosworth, son of Dr. Squire and Hannah
(Bucky) Bosworth, was born in 1841, married (1867) Florence
A., daughter of Bernard L. and Alary (Daily) Brown. Chil-
dren, Lutie Lee, Florence A., Mary Eva, Ada, Charles B.,
Carroll L., Hellen, Nina and Willie.

Mr. Bosworth served through the war as a Confederate
soldier, belonging; to the Thirty-first Virginia Infantry, of
which company he was Sergeant, lie still has in his posses-
sion the flag of his regiment, presented by Stonewall Jackson,
May 5, 1862. The flag was pierced by a shell.

Mr. Bosworth was for many years postmaster of Beverly.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 309

THE BAKER FAMILY.

Isaac Baker was the first representative of this family to
locate in Randolph, coming here from Pendleton about 1825.
He married Naomi (Morgan) Stalnaker. The children of this
union were, Isaac, Harriett, Eli, Catherine, Ellen, John and
Daniel R.

Isaac, son of Isaac and Naomi (Stalnaker) Baker, was
born in 1833, and died in 1910. In 1859 he married Harriet,
daughter of Zirus Weese. One child, Stark L. Baker, was
the result of this union.

Stark L. Baker was born in 1860; married Mable S.,
daughter of J. J. and Margaret (Stuard) Burns. One .child,
James. Mr. Baker was educated in the public schools and
the Fairmont Normal, from which institution he graduated.
He was deputy collector of Internal Revenue from 1889 to
1893 ; chairman of the Republican County Committee sixteen
years ; was U. S. District Court Commissioner and represented
the Tenth District in the State Senate, being elected in 1898.

Eli Baker, son of Isaac, born 1835, died 1898; mother's
name, Maria Stalnaker; married in 1862, Upshur County, Re-
becca J., daughter of William Sexton. She died in 1867. One
child, Jessie B., who married Clay Daniels, was born of this
union. His second marriage was to Maggie E. Sexton. She
died in 1916. The issue of this marrige were Wm. E., Chas.
C, George C. and Anna G.

Mr. Baker was postmaster at Beverly 24 years.

Anna Greta married L. R. Fowler. Children, William,
Richard and Baker.

Dr. Geo. C. Baker married Katherine, daughter of f.
Bier Wells, of Baltimore. Children, Frances Margaret,
Katherine, Elizabeth and Virginia.

Wm. E. married Martha Davidson, of Evansville, In-
diana. Children, Janet Davidson.

Charles C. married Hattie, daughter of A. D. and Bell
(Russell) Barlow. Children, Charles Baker, Margaret Bell.

310 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

William E., son of Eli and Margaret (Sexton) Baker,
was born February 25, 1873. He was educated at Wesleyan
University and State University, where he received the de-
grees of A.B. and L.L.B. He was admitted to the bar in 1896.
He is a director and a member of the finance committee of
Davis Trust Company of Elkins. On March 28, 1906, he mar-
ried Martha, daughter of William Davidson, of Evansville,
Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one child, Janet Davidson.

Daniel Randolph Baker, son of Isaac and .Maria ( Stal-
naker) Baker, was born in 1846. He married, in 1868, Mar-
garet Christina, daughter of Lemuel and Nancy (Hart) Chen-
oweth. Children, Xora Lee, who married F. A. Parsons.
Children, Margery, Hallie, Christina, Sally, Randolph and
James who is dead: Hattie Maria, who married Dr. H. Yo-
kum. Children, Baker. Virginia, George, Christine, Gertrude
and Katharine are dead: Edgar D., Bernard L. and John Ulys-
ses, who married Lena Mae (Schuyler) of Xew York. Chil-
dren, Rosalind Randolph. Margaret Christine and Daniel
Randolph.

1 he AYestfall Fort stood on Baker's farm near the mouth
of Files Creek.

THE BOOTH FAMILY.

The Booth Family. The names of Isaac, William, James
and David Booth appear in the records of Randolph prior to
1796. Isaac Booth was sheriff in 1813. James Booth was
married to Pheobe Osborn in 1797. William Booth married
Debora, daughter of Edward Hart, in 1803.

GEORGE E. BOND.

George Elmer Bond, son of Wm. II. and Rebecca (Judy)
Bond, was born May 11, 1866: married Ida J., daughter of C.
S. and Amanda (Jeffries) Bowers.

Mr. Bond has been chief of police at Huttonsville two
years, assistant chief at Elkins for one year, and chief at Whit-
mer seven years. He is now a farmer and poultry raiser at
Whitmer.

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 311

THE BOGARD FAMILY.

The Bogard Family. This family moved to Randolph
at a very early day. The Bogards and Pettys came together
from Pennsylvania. The exact date is not known. Samuel
Currence son of the first William, married Elizabeth Bogard,
daughter of Cornelius Bogard in 1795. Cornelius Bogard en-
tered land on Glady Fork in 1789. He was assessor of Ran-
dolph in 1783 and sheriff in 1796.

THE BUFFINGTON FAMILY.

The Buffington Family. Jonathan and William Buffing-
ton were early settlers of Randolph. They located on Leading-
Creek. The Buffingtons, Rooneys, Hornbecks and Doughertys
were neighbors on Leading Creek, in the vicinity of the pres-
ent village of Oilman. The Buffingtons came to Randolph
from Hampshire. Johnathan Buffington's wife and children
were murdered by the Indians in the Leading Creek massacre
of 1781. He escaped to Friends Fort. Mr. Buffington mar-
ried for his second wife Madaline, daughter of Jacob Helmick,
in 1801.

THE BLAIR FAMILY.
The Blair Family. Win. Blair came from Eastern Vir-
ginia prior to 1789, as in that year the County Court ordered
the sheriff to pay Mr. Blair his pension for the years from
1786 to 1789. He received a pension of $33.33pj for wounds
received in the battle of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774.

THE BUCKEY FAMILY.

The Buckey Family. The Buckey family was one of the
pioneer family of Randolph. Peter Buckey immigrated from
Germany to Maryland. After a few years residence at Hagers-
town, that State, he moved to Beverly, a short time after the
formation of the county. Pie was a tailor by trade, but there
being no demand in a pioneer community for an individual of
his occupation or trade he engaged in the hotel business and
for more than a century his descendants were engaged in that
business in Beverly, or as long as it was the county seat of
Randolph.

312 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Peter Buckey married a daughter of Wm. Marteny. Chil-
dren, George, William, John, Marteny, Eunice, Hannah, Chris-
tina and Mary. Eunice married a man by the name of Carter ;
Hannah married Dr. Squire Bosworth ; Christina married Da-
vid Goff ; Mary married Archibald Earle ; Wm. Buckey moved
to Sydney, Ohio ; John moved to Knoxville, Tennessee ; Dan-
iel, son of Peter, married Virginia Ball ; Marteny Buckey never

married; Geo. Buckey, son of Peter and (Marteny)

Buckey, married Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Hart. Chil-
dren, John, Alpheus, Emmett, Eugene, Daniel, Edith.

Wrirt Buckey, son of Alpheus and Rebecca (Chenoweth)
Buckey, was born in 1860; married Eliza Alice, daughter of
John B. and Elizabeth (Currence) Earle. Children, Wilbur,
Clara, Stella and Lena R.

Mr. Buckey is a great grandson of Peter Buckey, one of
the pioneers of Randolph. Mr. Buckey was was many years
foreman of the painters crew on the Western Maryland
Railroad.

THE BUTCHER FAMILY.

The Butcher Family. This family became indentified with
Randolph County in 1790, when Samuel Butcher moved from
Loudon County, Virginia, to Randolph, locating on a farm
where the Odd Fellows Home now stands. Samuel Butcher
had moved to Virginia from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
in about 1750. The Samuel that located in Randolph was the
youngest son of the first Samuel. Samuel Butcher lived in
Randolph until 1815, when he moved to Wood County, where
he resided until his death in 1846, in the 92nd year of his age.

Samuel Butcher had three sons : Ely, Thomas and Balis G.
Balis G. married Patsy McNeil, of Pocahontas County. Their
first born, Oscar G., became a prominent physician of Ran-
dolph. (See chapter of Physicians and Surgeons.) Ely Butcher
married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Hart, in 1804. Chil-
dren, Creed W., Fountain and Baxter.

THE BROWN FAMILY.

Brown Family. Bernard L. Brown was born in Albemarle
County, Virginia, near WThite Hall. His ancestors came to

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

313

Virginia as early as 1621. They were men and women who
were prominent in the early affairs of the colony >most of them
settling in Hanover County, and in and near Richmond ; but
when the County of Alber'marle was formed, and settlers began
to flock to that locality, Benjamin Brown and Sarah (Thomp-
son) Brown his wife, with their large family, removed from

MR. BERNARD L. BROWN.

Hanover County as early as 1747, and entered the land on both
sides of Moorman's River in Albemarle County — -more than
six thousand acres — twenty miles from Charlottesville. This
land was divided among his sons, and all builded homes except
one, William or Benjamin, Jr., who had his home in Hanover
or Louisa County. Some of these homes are still owned and
occupied by their descendants, and the neighborhood was and
is still known as Brown's Cove.

314 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Benjamin Brown, the father, had his home called "Trini-
dad," at the head of this valley, and his sons had theirs along
the sides of the stream known as Moormans River.

Bernard, Sr., married Elizabeth Dabney, daughter of Gen.
John Dabney, a Revolutionary soldier, and granddaughter of
Cornelius Dabney or D'Aubigne. (The name has been angli-
cized to Dabney). His second wife, grandmother of Eliza-
beth, was Sarah Jennings. The mother of Elizabeth was
Anne Harris Dabney, daughter of Major Robert Harris, mem-
ber of the House of Burgesses from Hanover County, 1736,
1738, 1740. 1742. His wife was Mourning Glenn. He was
born 168...., died 1765. He was a son of William Harris and
Temperance Overton, his wife, who was a daughter of Wil-
liam Overton. William Harris was the son of one Robert Har-
ris <if Wales, and his wife who was Mrs. Mary Rice, a widow,
daughter of William Claiborne and his wife Elizabeth (But-
ler) Claiborne. This Robert Harris was born in 1630. died
1700. William Claiborne was born in 1587, died 1676. He
came t<> Virginia with George Wyant in 1621, was secretary
of the Colony of Virginia, 1625, 1635, 1652, 1660; treasurer,
1642. 1660; surveyor general, 1621, 1625; J. P. York & North-
umberland, 1653 : member of the Council, 1623 ; commanded an
expedition against the Indians, 1629, again in 1644. In the
Northumberland records April, 1653. is an order referring to
the Worshipful Col. William Claiborne Deputy Governor.

Bernard Brown, Sr., husband of Elizabeth Dabney and
grandfather of Bernard L. Brown, was a soldier in the struggle
for American Independence whose duty was to carry dis-
patches from Xew York to Charleston, South Carolina. He
was born January 28th, 1750, died February 26th, 1800. His
wife, Elizabeth Dabney, was born June 18th, 1751, died June,
1826, 75 years of age. Bernard Sr. and Elizabeth, his wife,
had twelve children, one of whom, Bernard M., married Mi-
riam Maupin, also of French descent.

Bernard L. Brown, the subject of this sketch, was their
son. Their home was near White Hall, at or near the home
of the first Bernard. (The name had been given to father and
son through three generations and is still given to one child
in almost everv family of the descendants. ) Bernard E. Brown

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 315

was left an orphan at the age of nine years. He was the sev-
enth of nine children. The others were, Thompson, Sarah
1 Arena, Sidna, Allen Smith \\\, Elizabeth Dabney, named
for her grandmother, the wife of Bernard Sr. The youngest
was James Dabney, who distinguished himself at the battle
of Manasses, carrying dispatches from Beuregard to Jackson
through such a heavy fire that four horses were shot down un-
der him while he escaped unhurt and received an honorable
parole from his General Beureguard.

Bernard L. Brown was born August 9th, 1816. After the
death, of his parents, both dying almost within a year, he lived
with his uncle, Thomas II. Brown, in Albemarle, until he ob-
tained a position as clerk in a store with a Mr. Moore in
Scottsville, Virginia, and afterward moved to Beverly, Ran-
dolph County, in company with John S. Carlisle, the politican,
with whom he was in partnership in a store for sometime. He
was licensed to practice law in 1840. On account of loss of
hearing ]ie was compelled to relinquish the profession of law.

I Bernard L. Brown was county surveyor of Randolph and
clerk of the Circuit Court for about twenty years prior to the
Civil War. At the beginning of the Civil War he returned
to Albemarle County, Virginia, where he remained until the
close when he returned to Beverly to find his home demol-
ished. He was of a very ingenious turn and was therefore
enable to furnish his family with various conveniences during
the war.

When Wm. J. Jackson made his raid into Beverly he
captured the records of the office of the Circuit Court and took
them to Brownsburg, Virginia, where Col. David Goff and
Judge Gideon D. Camden resided. They notified Mr. Brown
that they were there and requested him to come and get them.
He took his daughter, now Mrs. Earl, with him. They met a
colony of their old friends, viz: Col. Goff and family, Judge
Camden and wife, B. W. Crawford and family, Absolem Craw-
ford and family, Elam Bosworth and family and Eli Cheno-
weth and wife. They took the records to Albemarle County.
At the close of the Civil War he returned to Beverly with a
large amount of wild mountain land his only possession. Un-
able to hold office on account of the "Test Oath" which he was

316 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

unable to take conscientiously, he found it hard to provide for
his large and helpless family, and although one of his Union
friends, John B. Earle, who was Circuit Clerk at the time, had
him appointed deputy under himself, it was still a struggle.
Broken down in health and spirits, he died February 10th,
1868 at the age of 52 years. He married March 4th, 1842, Mary
Elizabeth Dailey, daughter of Hugh Dailey of Louden County,
Virginia, and Edith Butcher who was the daughter of Eli
Hutcher, of Beverly, West Virginia, and Elizabeth Hart, his
first wife, who was a daughter of Edward Hart and Nancy
Stout, his wife, and a granddaughter of John Hart, signer of
the Declaration of Independence from Xew Jersey.

Mary Dailey Brown, wife of Bernard L. Brown, was born
January 20th, 1825. Long after Mr. Brown's death she mar-
ried her cniisin, Summers McCrum, of Aurora, Preston Coun-
ty, West Virginia, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Page R. McCrum, May 18th, 1907.

The children of B. L. Brown and Marv Dailev his wife
were, first, Edith who died in infancy. Second, Adeliza who
married Archibald Earl. Jr., of Fort Worth, Texas. (Both liv-
ing at Fort W^orth.) Three children, -Bernard, Charles and
Clav, deceased. Third, Florence, married S. X. Bosworth,
Beverly, West Virginia; nine children, Mrs. E. D. Talbott, El-
kins; Mrs. Dr. L. W. Talbott, Elkins ; C. Bernard Bosworth,
Beverly; Mrs. Clare Harding, Elkins and Beverly; Mrs. Helen
Harding, Elkins; Carroll L. and Miss Nina Bosworth, Bev-
erly; Florence and Miller, dead. Fourth, Laura Sidna, died
when 13 years of age. Fifth, Oscar L., died 1888. Married
Edith Dailey of Illinois. Two children, Bernard L. and Jesse
Harold, of Pomona, California. Sixth, Lucy B., married Page
R. McCrum, Aurora, West Virginia. Two children living.
Summer D., Aurora, and Harold Bernard, Fairmont, West
Virginia. Clare and Paul deceased. Seventh, Edwin A., who
died in infancy.. Eighth, Charles Bernard, of Clinton, Iowa,
married Mary Smith, of Albany, Illinois. Four sons, Earl F.,
Clarence, Leonard and Alva. Ninth, Clarence Hugh Dailey,
died unmarried. Tenth, Alice G., married Porter, of Chariton,
Missouri. Two living children, Clarence R. and Mrs. Edith
Vedder, of Seattle. One child, John, died in infancy. Elev-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 317

enth, Roberta L., married Erastus Williamson, Cordora, Il-
linois. Two living- children, Mr. Augusta Simpson, Cordova;
and Ray Brown, Williamson. Two children, Frederick and Al-
ma died in infancy.

THE CROUCH FAMILY.

The Crouch Family. Three brothers by the name of
Crouch immigrated to the American colonies from Wales in
1750. Their names were John, James, and, perhaps, Andrew.
James Crouch, in 1780, in company with a number of men who
were escorting John and William Warwick to their homes in
Greenbrier County, was ambushed by the Indians as related
in another chapter of this book. Prior to this time Andrew
Crouch was living in the vicinity of Haddan's Fort and, it is
known that his son, Joseph, was a man of maturity at that
time. It is therefore probable, coupled with the fact that their
lands were among the choicest in the county, that they came
with the general rush to the Valley in 1772-4. The Crouch
brothers were neighbors of the Warwicks, Haddans, Cur-
rences and Whites.

John Crouch had three sons, John, Jacob and Andrew.
Andrew is known to have had one son, Joseph. James Crouch
escaped immediate death at the hands of the Indians in the
tragedy near Haddan's Fort, but whether he finally recovered
or died of his wounds is not known. John Crouch, the pioneer,
died from the effects of a snake bite. He lived at the time on
his farm a mile or so below Huttonsville on the east side of the
river, near the mouth of Shavers Run.

John, son of the first John, married Judv Westfall. Their
children were, Isaac, Abraham, Andrew, Marshal and one
daughter whose name is not known.

Andrew Crouch, son of John the pioneer, married Eliza-
beth Hutton. Their children were Johnathan Jacob, Kitty,
Moses, John and Abraham.

Johnathan, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Hutton)
Crouch, married, in 1830, Delilah, daughter of Adam and
Christian (Harper) Haigler. Children, Dorothy, Almira, Cy-
rus, Martha, Christina, Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Eli H. and
Henry Clay.

318

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Abraham Crouch. The Crouch family, one of the wealth-
iest and most prominent in the county, was first represented
by three brothers, John. James and Andrew. Abraham
Crouch, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Hutton) Crouch, was
born in 1832 and died in 1901. He married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John and Harriet (Lockridge) McXeal. Children, Lee,
Ada, Lina, Bettie, May, Grace and Jackson. Abraham was

ABRAM CROUCH.

the grandson of John and the great grandson of John, the pi-
oneer. He was a member of a family that has been identified
with the county from its earliest settlement to the present
time. A family that has been prominent in every movement
of interest and stands today in the front rank of prominent
and substantial families.

Abraham Crouch typified a class of an earlier day citizen,
the greatest asset and product of any community, who sought
neither place nor prominence, whose exemplary lives were em-
bittered neither by poverty nor encumbered by wealth, whose

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 319

counsels were invaluable and whose only ambition was to live
honestly, serve their fellow man and leave the heritage of a
good name.

Lee Crouch, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (McNeal)
Crouch, was born in 1859, married Amanda, daughter of John
and Mary (Blake) Wallace. Children, Mary E., Wallace M.,
Maude and Eva.

Mr. Crouch was deputy sheriff under A. J. Long and War-
wick Hutton. He was elected county clerk in 1896 and re-
elected in 1900, but resigned to accept a position as cashier
of the First National Bank of Elkins, which place he held until
1916 when he succeeded Hon. Henry G. Davis as president of
that institution.

THE COLLETT FAMILY.

The Collett Family. This was a pioneer family in Ran-
dolph and Pendleton. Thomas Collett was the first of the
name to locate in Pendleton. He had two children,
Thomas and Gabriel. Thomas Collett lived in Buffalo Hills in
Pendleton in 1780. Gabriel Collett was constable in Pendle-
ton in 1788. Thomas Collett is mentioned among the tithables
of Pendleton in 1790. Thomas Collett in 1782 rendered a claim
for material, food, etc., furnished the American troops in the
war of the Revolution. Thomas Collett was on the muster
rolls of Pendleton in 1794.

Rev. Thomas Collett, the pioneer Baptist minister of Ran-
dolph, was the son of Thomas Collett and perhaps the grand-
son of Thomas Collett. He married Nancy, daughter of Henry
Pedro. Rev. Collett died December 31, 1870. I lis wife Nancy
Pedro Collett died during the Civil War.

Parkison Collett, son of Rev. Thomas and Nancy (Pedro)
Collett, was born in 1828, married 1866, Anzina, daughter of
Alba and Emily (Wilmoth) Chenoweth. Children, Zan, Mit-
tie, Thomas J., Emma, Louise Alba and Florence, who died
in infancy.

Mr. Collett was in the Confederate service and partici-
pated in the battle of Gettysburg and other important engage-
ments. He was First Lieutenant in McClanihan's battery. He

320 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

was four times assessor of Randolph, twice prior and twice
subsequent to the Civil War.

A. J. Collett, son of Rev. Thomas and Nancy (Pedro)
Collett, was born in 1837, married (1868) Xantippe, daughter
of B. W. and Anzina (Earle) Crawford. Children, Beulah,
who married Geo. W. Leonard ; Susan, who married Dr.
Thompson; Ora, who married Geo. Curtis; Katherine Ward,
who married John Emmart ; Albert, Bushrod C, and Howard
L,, and Laura, who is a graduate of Jefferson College Hospital
Training School for Nurses, Philadelphia.

Calvin C. Collett, born in 1818, son of Rev. Thomas and
Nancy (Pedro) Collett, and died in 1880. Married (1859)
Louise, daughter of William and Emaline (Vandevander )
Hyre. Children, Columbus, Christina, Elorence, May, Lena,
Birdie and William Thomas.

Alba, son of Parkison and Anzina (Chenoweth) Collett,
was born in 1882. On November 20, 1916, he. was united in
marriage to Nina, daughter of S. N. and Florence A. (Brown)
Bosworth. Mr. Collett is descended from three prominent pi-
oneer families of Randolph, the Colletts, Chenoweths and
Pedroes. He is at present with the H. L. Manning Drug
Store, Elkins, West Virginia.

Howard L., son of A. J. and Xantippe (Crawford) Col-
lett, was born in 1883. Mr. Collett was educated in public
schools and Mountain State Business College where he grad-
uated in 1904. For twelve years he has been teller in the
Davis Trust Company, Elkins, West Virginia.

Bernard C. Collett, son of Solomon and Mary (Hill) Col-
lett, was born in 1885, married Bessie, daughter of Martion
Weese. Children, Russell.

Mr. Collett is in the employ of the Crawford and Corroth-
ers Lumber Company near Elkins.

Chas. H. Collett, son of Solomon and Mary (Hill) Collett,
was born in , married Stella, daughter of Geo. and Chris-
tina (Weese) Hill. Children, Richard.

Mr. Collett is a foreman for Crawford and Corrothers
Lumber Company near Elkins.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 321

THE CHANNELL FAMILY.

The Channell Family. The Channell family was among
the first settlers of Randolph. Jeremiah was the first of the
name to locate in this county. He came from Hardy in the
first decade of the pioneer period in Randolph. He married
Sallie Steele and they were residents of the county at the time
of the massacre of the Connolly family by the Indians. Jere-
miah located on land opposite the town of Huttonsville. The
farm is now owned by Patrick Crickard. The children of Jere-
miah and Sallie (Steele) Channell were, John, Samuel, An-
drew, Susan, Elizabeth and Jemima.

Enoch \Y., son of Noah S. and Alary (Crickard) Channell,

married Eliza, daughter of Martin and (Bell) Wamsley.

Children, Elenor and Carl.

Mr. Channell is of English and Irish descent and is a
member of the pioneer family of Channells of Randolph. Mr.
Channell is postmaster at Huttonsville.

G. N. Channell, son of Samuel and Susan (Taylor) Chan-
nell. was born in 1849, married Jemima Jane, daughter of
James M. Wilmoth. Children, Tippie, Belva, Clay, Fletcher,
Cletus and Grover. Bernice and Clyde died in infancy. Mr.
Channell was born and raised in the vicinity of Kernes,
and is a grandson of Samuel Channell, the pioneer.

G. Clinton Channell, son of Noah S. and Mary (Crickard)
Channell, was born in Huttonsville, Febuarv, 1884, married
April 25, 1905, to Dora, daughter of Zacharia and Margaret
Talbott. Children, Marguerite, Earl, Woodrow and Garland.

Mr. Channel came to Elkins in April, 1912. He is pro-
prietor of the Grove Feed and Storage Co., and is vice-presi-
dent of the \Y. Va. Feed and Flour Co. at Clarksburg.

THE CRICKARD FAMILY.

The Crickard Family. The Crickards are of Scotch- Irish
descent. My great grandfather was a resident of that part of
Ireland known as Ulster. He was an officer in King James
army and fought at the battle of the Boyne, July 1, 1690. The
Irish forces were defeated by William III of England. After
this battle many of the estates of the Trish were confiscated
and divided among William's followers who were largely

322 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Protestants. My great grandfather, being loyal to Ireland
and a Catholic, his estate was confiscated. My grandfather
resided in the County of Doun. My father, John Crickard,
and his brothers came to America in 1834-40. They settled in
Augusta County, Virginia. My father, John Crickard, and
my uncle, Peter Crickard, built the Staunton and Parkersburg
Pike from Greenbrier to Cheat Bridge. After the completion
of this work, my father located on Shavers Run in Valley
Bend District. My only brother, Peter Crickard, lived and
died there. He was the father of the present sheriff of Ran-
dolph, A. J. Crickard. Thos. Michael Plunkett, member of
the British Parliament is a cousin of the Crickards of Ran-
dolph. My mother's name was Mary (Plunkett) Crickard.
My grandfather, Michael Crickard, took part in the Emmett
Rebellion of 1803. — Patrick Crickard.

John R. Crickard, son of Patrick and Amanda (Currence)
Crickard, was born in 1860, married Alverda, daughter of
John and Hannah (Currence) Bell. Children, Patrick E.,
Nixon J., Robert B., Eva B., Peter V'., Mary A., Jonas F.,
Anne C. and Rose P.

Mr. Crickard was educated in public schools and at Rock
Hill College, Maryland. He was for several years one of the
prominent school teachers of the county and served several
terms as president of the Board of Education of Mingo Dis-
trict. He was also justice of the peace of Mingo District for
twelve years. In 1910 he was elected justice of the peace of
that district on the Socialist ticket, giving him the distinction
of being the only man having been elected by the adherents
of that political faith in Randolph. Mr. Crickard is prominent
in fraternal circles and is a member of the A. F. and A. M.,
I. O. O. F., K. P. and M. V. V .

THE CAPLINGER FAMILY.

The Caplinger Family. This name is of German origin
and was originally spelled Keplinger. In the early records
of Pendleton the name was spelled Caplinger, Kaplinger, Kep-
linger and Coplinger. The Caplingers were among the pion-
eers of Pendleton. Samuel Caplinger was the first of the
name in Pendleton. He died in that county in 1769. He had

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY ?23

a son named George, who died in 1773. He was a soldier in
the French and Indian war of 1754-60, from Augusta, now
Pendleton County. George, son of the first George, resided
in Pendleton and was relieved from military duty on account
of physical disability in 1792. Whether he was a soldier in
the Revolution is not known, however, lie submitted a claim
for supplies furnished the American army in that war.

George, grandson of the first George, was born February
3, 1784. lie moved to Randolph from Pendleton in about
1800. He was the first of the name to locate in Randolph
and founded the Caplinger settlement. Many of his descend-
ants still live in the community and the original homestead
remains in the possession of members of the family.

George Caplinger married Sarah Collett in 1804. Their
children were, Thomas J., George W., Solomon C, Adam D.,
Margaret and Elizabeth.

Thomas J. Caplinger married Margaret Chenoweth,
daughter of Jehu Chenoweth. Children, George, John, Jehu,
Lloyd, Adam, Rachel, Eliza and Ann.

Geo. W. Caplinger married Jane Heavener of Upshur
County. Children, Alice, who married Marion Grose, and
Caroline, who married Jacob Chenoweth. Two children, Elias
and Jacob died in youth.

Adam D. Caplinger married Elizabeth, daughter of Wil-
liam B. Wilson. Children, Theodore, Edwin Duncan, Wil-
liam B., Ida E., Pattie C. and Lee Duncan. His second wife
was Sabina Saulsbury. Children, Mary, Perry L., Hattie B.
and Addie W. Mary married Iddo Ward ; Hattie B. married
Fritz Hanger and Addie W. married Michael Weese.

Edwin Duncan Caplinger died when 18 years of age. Ida,
daughter of Adam D. Caplinger married Randolph M. Harper.
Pattie C. Caplinger, daughter of Adam D. Caplinger, married
Henry A. Harper.

Wm. B. Caplinger married in 1839 Phoeba, daughter of
Henry A. Harper. She died the same year and some years
thereafter Mr. Caplinger married Elva Riggleman.

Lee Duncan, son of Adam D. and Elizabeth (Wilson)
Caplinger, married Lucy, daughter of Henry A. Harper. Chil-
dren, Frank and Hoke. Frank died when 12 years of age.

324 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Thomas J., son of George and Sarah (Collett) Caplinger,
married Margaret Chenoweth. Children, Lloyd, George C.,
John C., Jehu C., Adam C, Rachel, Ann and Eliza.

Lloyd Caplinger, born in 1849, married in 1892, Bernice,
daughter of John B. and Bettie (Currence) Earle. Children,
Earle. Some years later after the death of his first wife Mr.
Caplinger married Ida Durett. Rachel, daughter of Thomas
Caplinger, married Elisha Talbott ; Ann, daughter of Thom-
as J., married Augustus Moore ; Eliza, daughter of Thomas J.,
married Edward Skidmore.

John C. Caplinger, born in 1844, son of Thomas J. Cap-
linger, married in 1873, Sydney, daughter of John W. and
Mary Wood Moore. Children, Lena, Rizpaw, Lawrence and
Ada'

Jehu, son of Thomas J. Caplinger, born in 1848, married
in 1873, Ida W., daughter of Joseph Harding. Children, Viva,
Marion F., Roberta B., Belva, Bernice F. and Geo. H.

Adam C, son of Thomas J., married Mary Grose. Chil-
dren, Martha, who married a McDaniel and Xettie, who mar-
ried Charley Skidmore.

Solomon Chenoweth Caplinger was born in 1811, died in
1893. His first wife was Mar}', daughter of Gabriel Chen-
oweth. Children, Laban D., Phoeba C, Sarah E., Calvin L.,
Margaret and Maryette. The wife of his second marriage
was Mary A., daughter of John Ryan. Children, Solomon C,
Julius C, Delia W. and Robert Bruce. Laban D. and Sarah
E. died in youth. Martha B. married Hanning Foggy; Phoe-
ba C. married A. C. Rowan; Calvin L. married Belle Wilson.
Children, Lillie, who married Lee Chenoweth; Grace, who
married a Mr. Lough ; Daisy married a Mr. Eslack, Rosa mar-
ried S. M. Kendall ; Margaret married John Hart. Maryette,
daughter of Solomon C. and Mary Chenoweth Caplinger,
married Rev. S. D. Lewis. Solomon C. Caplinger, Jr., went
West when a young man and is now in Dawson City, Alaska.
Robert Bruce, son of Solomon and Mary A. (Ryan) Cap-
linger, married Jesse May, daughter of John W. Detter.
Children, Hilda, St. Clair, Clyde, John, Guy, Mary Edith, Ju-
lius and Richard died in early childhood. Julius, son of Sol-
omon and Mary (Ryan) Caplinger, married Alema, daughter

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 325

of Eli H. Rowan. Delia, daughter of Solomon and Mary
(Ryan) Caplinger, married Vernon Lough.

Solomon C. Caplinger was sheriff of the county in 1857
and commissioner of -the County Court in 1880. He was one
of the prominent, intelligent and substantial citizens in the
early history of the county.

THE COFF FAMILY.

The Coff Family. Patrick Coff came to America from
Ireland in about 1800, settling on Mill Creek, Bath County,
Virginia. He married Martha Lyle. To this union were
born eight children, all living except second daughter. James
Lyle Coff was born October, 1844. He learned the carpenter
trade and later studied vocal music at Singers Glen, Virginia,
under Joseph Funk and Aldine S. Keifer. Mr. Coff is promi-
nent in the councils of the Democratic party and was justice
of the peace of Mingo District four years. He married Diana
F. Jordan, daughter of George and Frances Jordan, of Green
Valley, Virginia, and moved to Randolph in 1877.

Fight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coff.
James \Y., farmer, who lives with parents at Mingo; Martha,
who married P. O. Louk and lives in Elkins ; Lena died in
1893; Maiw, who married K. D. Marshal and lives in Mingo.
They have one child, Nina, who is a student of the Wesleyan
University, Buckhannon. Theodore L. never married and is
orderly to Col. Treat of the U. S. Army, now stationed at
Fort Sam Houston, Texas. John K., also single and lives
with his parents at Mingo. Jacob F. married Laura Beale and
lives at Dunmore, West Virginia. She was the daughter of
James Beale of Linwood, West Virginia. Commodore Coff,
the third, son of James Lyle and Diana Coff is a photographer
in Elkins.

THE CURTIS FAMILY.

Thomas P. Curtis was born in Pittsylvania County, Vir-
ginia, in 1804. He died in Randolph in 1856. He came to
Randolph in 1828. He married Mary, daughter of Peter Con-
rad. She was born in 1815 and died in 1880. Children, J.
Milton, Laban B., Sarah, Thomas C, America, David Black-
man, Emma, John C. and Almeda.

326 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Thomas P. Curtis had a store in what is now Elkins in
1834. His storehouse was located in what is now known as
Park View Addition.

John Milton Curtis was assessor in 1864 and was twice
re-elected. He was township clerk in 1865. He was collector
of Internal revenue in 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865. His terri-
tory embraced Randolph, Tucker and Webster counties.

David Blackmail Curtis, born in 1841, died in 1893. Mr.
Curtis was for many years one of the prominent educators of
the county. In 187.. ..he married Virginia, daughter of George
McLean.

George McLean Curtis was born in 1872. lie studied law
and was admitted to the bar in 1895.

Mr. Curtis married Ora, daughter of Andrew and Xantip-
pie (Crawford) Collett. He is connected with the Inter-State
Commerce Commission, Washington, D. C, as chief clerk.

THE CASSITY FAMILY.

The Cassity Family. John and I'eter Cassity located in
Valley Bend District prior to 1780. In the early records of
the county the name is spelled Cashedy. They settled on
land now owned by Lee Rosecranse. Peter Cassity was com-
missioner of the Revenue in 1789, and was a member of the
first County Court of Randolph County. He was captain of
the militia at the time of leaving the State in 1792 and was
succeeded by John Haddan.

THE CONNOLLY FAMILY.

The Connoly Family. Wither's Border Warfare men-
tions the Connolly family as being among the first settlers
of Randolph. They settled in what is now Mingo District
on a creek that has since borne their name. They were of
Irish ancestry. Withers and other historians were in error
in statin"- that the Darby Connolly family were killed by the
Indians. Connolly himself was killed but his family had not
come to Randolph at that time. He was placing the roof on
his cabin when he was shot and killed by the Indians. The
murder occurred December, 1772. Jacob Conrad became the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 327

owner of the Connolly land and it lias remained in possession

of his heirs for mure than a century.

THE CHENOWETH FAMILY.

The Chenoweth Family. The Chenoweth family in
America has descended from John Chenoweth, who came to
this country from Isle of Wright in 1652. lie settled in Mary-
land and married Alan' Calvert, daughter of Lord Baltimore.
William, a son of this marriage was a member of a colony
that settled in Frederick County, Maryland, prior to 1750.
John, a son of Willaim was born in 1755. He was a soldier
in the Revolutionary War and drew a pension. He was in
Pendleton in 1790 and entered 50 acres of land in that county
in that year. The Pughs who were related to the Chenoweths
and came to Randolph with them, also entered land in Hamp-
shire in the year of 1790. John Chenoweth entered land in
Randolph in 1792, but perhaps he had been a resident of the
county a few years previous.

A monument was unveiled to the memory of John Chen-
oweth about three miles south of Elkins on the Job Daniels
place October 16, 1915. On one side is the inscription: John
Chenoweth, Lorn November 15, 1755, Died June 16, 1831. A
Soldier of the Revolution. On another side is the inscription
to his wife as follows: Mary Pugh, Wife of John Chenoweth,
Born January 29, 1762, Died February 1, 1849. They were
married on January 7, 1779.

On another side are the names of all the children as fol-
lows : Robert, William, Mary, John, Jehu, Gabriel, Nellie.

John Chenoweth was captain of the militia in 1794; coro-
ner in 1803; sheriff in 1810; justice of the peace in 1799. His
son Robert was commissioner of the Revenue in 1816; sheriff
in 1827. Z. T. Chenoweth was sheriff in 1884.

THE CRAWFORD FAMTLY.

The Crawford Family. Andrew and Robert Crawford,
two brothers, came to Randolph a few years prior to 1800.
The Crawfords immigrated to Augusta County, Virginia, a
few years previous to the revolution. They were of Scottish
ancestry. Andrew Crawford was twice married. His first

328 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

wife was a Miss Stephenson, who died in 1829. His second
wife was a Miss Hyre, of Upshur County. Their children
were, James C. Crawford, \Y. H. Crawford, Absalom Craw-
ford, Adam Crawford, J. W. Crawford, Eliza Crawford, Rob-
ert Crawford, Jennie Crawford, Andrew Crawford. Robert
and Andrew Crawford located on Shavers Run on the farm
at this time owned by D. R. Baker. Robert, a short time af-
terward, moved to Lewis County this State and settled near
Walkersville. J. S. Crawford moved to Clermont County,
Ohio, and W. H. Crawford moved to Tuscaroras County, the
same State.

Absalom, son of Andrew, married Emily, daughter of
Joseph Hart. Children, Emmett, Rush, Amanda, Cora, Delia,
Jennie and Maggie.

John W. Crawford married Edith, daughter of Peter
Buckey. Children, Clay and Columbia.

Adam, son of Andrew Crawford, married Mary, daugh-
ter of Dr. Squire Bosworth. Children, Kent Bosworth Craw-
ford, Lucy, Florida, Harriet, Augusta and Emily.

Eliza, daughter of Andrew Crawford, married Elias Wil-
moth.

Jennie, daughter of Andrew Crawford, died in youth.

Bushrod W. Crawford, born in 1818, died in 1893: son of
Andrew Crawford, married first, a Miss Wilson. Children,
Xantippe, who married Andrew J. Collett. Some years after
the death of his first wife Mr. Crawford married in 1850, An-
zina, daughter of Archibald Earle. Children, Laura, Earle,
Jefferson and Andrew.

Kent B. Crawford, born in 1848, son of Adam, married in
1876, Mary A., daughter of Franklin and Lucinda (Earle)
Leonard. Children, Herbert and Stella.

Emmett Crawford, son of Absalom and Emily (Hart)
Crawford, married in 1869, Margaret, daughter of Mathew
and Eunice (Harper) Wamsley. Children, Burns, Rossie,
Maggie, Ocia, Leah, Maud, Matie and Emmett. In 1882, af-
ter the death of his first wife, he married Minerva, daughter
of Sampson ShifTlett. Mr. Crawford was a soldier in the Con-
federate army and was a participant in many of the hard bat-

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 329

ties of that war. He was highly esteemed by his comrades
in arms as well as by his neighbors in civil life.

Jefferson A. Crawford, son of Bushrod and Anzina
(Earle) Crawford, married in 1887, Nora, daughter of George
\Y. and Keziah (Boyers) Davis. Children, Earle, Davis,
George Watts and Annie Laura.

Rush Crawford, born in 1855, son of Absalom, married
in 1880. Melissa Shreeve, and after her death he married in
1895, Emma Yokum. Children, Plummer B., Dale \\\, Asa
and Clinton.

Andrew Crawford, the pioneer, was an adherent of the
Presbyterian faith and was an active organizer of that de-
nomination in Randolph. The early Presbyterians of Ran-
dolph were of scrupulous Purintanical piety and did much to
enforce and make respected the civil laws against immorality
and the violation of Sabbath observance.

Andrew Crawford was sheriff in 1820; commissioner of
Revenue in 1818. John W. Crawford was county clerk in
1845. B. AW Crawford was assessor in 1843. Absalom Craw-
ford was assessor in 1849. K. B. Crawford was commissioner
of the County Court.

THE COBERLY FAMILY.

Coberly. James Coberly was the progenitor of the Co-
berly family in Randolph. He married Julia Vanscoy. The
name is of German origin. The children of James and Julia
Vanscoy) Coberly, were Aaron Levi, born 1824, married
Mary Canfield in 1846: John, born 1829, married in 1854 to
Janet Gainer; Randolph, born 1830, died 1884, married in
1853 to Jane M., daughter of Archibald Wilson. Children,
Helen, Martha E., John, Alfred T., Archibald, James, Wm. H.,
Ida J. and Julia E.

James A., son of Randolph and Jane M. (Wilson) Cober-
lv, born in Barbour County, 1864; came to Randolph in 1883,
locating in Elkins in 1894. He was deputy surveyor four
years ; elected justice of the peace of Leadsville District in
1892. After studying law at State University he was admit-
ted to the bar in 1898.

Mr. Coberly married (first) Delphia, daughter of Nicho-

330 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

las and Amanda (Taylor) Marstiller. She died in 1895. Chil-
dren, Otto Glen, who is deputy assessor of Randolph County,
Cleon Edwards, Ohley Francis, and Virgil J. Mr. Coberly
married (second) Mary Hannagan, of Monroe County, West
Virginia.

THE CUNNINGHAM FAMILY.

The Cunningham Family. In 1753, John, James and Wil-
liam Cunningham, three brothers from Dublin, Ireland, set-
tled on the North Fork in what is now Pendleton Count}-.
James Cunningham had several sons and daughters among
whom was William. Solomon, son of the second William
was born in 1830. He married in 1857, Mary J., daughter of
Lenox and Elizabeth Lantz. Children David S., James I.,
Abraham, Absalom M., Charles B. Y., Mary E., Arthena,
Martha P., Anna B. and Solomon T.

James Cunningham, the pioneer, was captured by the
Indians in 1758. He was kept a prisoner for seven years and
became nearly blind as a result of starvation while in captiv-
ity. After his release and return to his people he moved to
Randolph. John, James and William Cunningham were in
the French and Indian war of 1754-60. John, James and Wil-
liam Cunningham had their claims certified by the County
Court of Augusta for supplies furnished the American Army
in the Revolutionary War.

Joseph Arnold Cunningham, a member of another branch
of the Cunningham family, but a descendant of the pioneer
family of Pendleton, was born April 27, 1861 ; son of Andrew
J. and Eleanor (Wimer) Cunningham, was married Septem-
ber 2, 1888, to Rosa Anna, daughter of Jacob and Catherine
Knutti. Mr. Cunningham was constable of Dry Fork District
for several years and later represented Randolph and Tucker
in the State Legislature. He is at present a prominent farm-
er and stock raiser of Alfena.

Absalom Marion Cunningham, son of Solomon and Mary
Jane (Lantz) Cunningham, born in 1864 in Upshur Count}-,
West Virginia. Mr. Cunningham was educated in the public
schools of the State and at the age of sixteen entered the pro-
fession of teaching which he followed for twelve years. Dur-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 331

ing the last four years of his school work he applied himself
to the study of law. In 1892 he opened a law office in Davis
and subsequently moved to Parsons. In 1909 he moved to
Elkins.

Mr. Cunningham was prosecuting attorney of Tucker
from 1893-7, and represented that county in the Legislature
in 1903-4.

Mr. Cunningham married first, Maude, daughter of Dan-
iel and Eliza (Lantz) Anvil. Children, Eugene Blaine, Stan-
lev Charles, Neil, McKinley Hobart and Absalom Marion Jr.
Mr. Cunningham married second, Grace Isabel, daughter of
John W. and Mary (Coston) Keith. Children, Marion Keith
and Ruth Lantz.

George W. Cunningham, son of Jackson and Eleanor
(Wimer) Cunningham, born in 1858, married Mollie Hamick.
Children, Babel, Delmar, Lois S., S. Lutie, Reta, Hurst J.,
Ella and Wimer AY. Mr. Cunningham has taught school thir-
ty-seven years and has always held a first grade certificate.
He has taught three terms in Barbour and fifty-five terms in
Randolph County. The first school attended by Mr. Cun-
ningham was in a building without floor or chimney. Mr.
Cunningham has gained a place among the prominent educa-
tors of the county.

Abraham L. Cunningham, son of Solomon and Mary
(Lantz) Cunningham, born in Gilmer County, 1861, married
Catherine B., daughter of Wm. and Martha (Waybright)
Hinkle. Children, Lelsa and Vista, Zenia, died aged 26: Wil-
liam H., died at age of four, and Edith in the fifth year of her
age. Mr. Cunningham is an undertaker and cabinet-maker
at Job.

THE COWGER FAMILY.

The Cowger family live in the southwestern part of
Randolph and are of German descent. Michael Cowger was,
perhaps, the first of the name to locate in Virginia. He en-
tered 900 acres in the Shenandoah Valley in 1753. His de-
scendants moved to Pendleton where many families of that
name now reside. Michael Cowger lived in Pendleton prior
to 1782. George Cowger lived in Pendleton in 1775, when
Pendleton was a part of Augusta.

332 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

THE CONRAD FAMILY.

Conrad. The Conrad family moved to Randolph from
Pendleton prior to 1792, the exact date is not known. Peter
Conrad, the progenitor of the Conrad family in Randolph,
settled on the farm which had been owned by Darby Con-
nolly before he was murdered by the Indians. Peter Conrad,
the pioneer, was the son of Jacob Conrad and the grandson
of Jacob Conrad, who came to America and settled in Pendle-
ton in 1750. He was born in 1705 and died December 1, 1775.
He had a brother, Ulrich, who came to Pendleton with him.
They were from Canton Berne, Switzerland. The Conrad
brothers located on the South Branch, Jacob selecting a tract
of land on which there was a "squaw patch," or a small clear-
ing made by the Indians.

Ulrich Conrad was a soldier in the French and Indian
War from Pendleton, and represented that count}- in the Vir-
ginia Assembly in 1792-3.

Jacob Conrad was foreman of the first grand jury in
Pendleton in 1787.

Children of the first Jacob: Barbara, who married Chas.
Hedrick : Elizabeth, who married Geo. Fisher, and Jacob, who
married first, Hannah Bogard, and second, Barbara Probst.

The second Jacob Conrad had the following children:
Sabina, Frances, Barbara, Jacob, Benjamin, Peter, Daniel,
John, Ulrich, Mary and Phoeba. Peter moved to Randolph;
Daniel, John and Benjamin moved to Braxton: Ulrich lived in
Pendleton and married Sarah Currence. He was born in
1786, and died in 1867. Sabina married John Colaw :
Barbara married Adam Harper; Jacob married Magdalena
Hedrick: Benjamin married Barbara Hedrick; Mary married
Geo. Kyle, Phoeba married Samuel Kyle : Daniel married
Margaret Shieldh : John married Elizabeth Currence.

Peter Conrad, who located in Mingo District at an earlv
date, was born in 1777. He had three sons, John, Jacob and
Peter. His daughters were Elizabeth, who married David
Saulsbury ; Sarah, who married Joseph Wamsley ; Phoeba.
who married Jeremiah Cowger ; Alcey, who married Daniel
Wamsley; Diana, who married Lewis Cowger; Maria, who
married Isaac Dodrill : Pollv, who married Thomas Curtis

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY :\:\:\

and Syrena, who married Marshall Clarke. Two girls, Nancy
and Barbara never married. Peter married Elsey Arbogast ;
Jacob married Ann Bailey; John B. Conrad married Mary
Wilson. Children, Harmon J., Peter B., Samuel and Wil-
liam H.

The second Jacob was born in 1744.

.Mrs. W. H. Conrad, of Mill Creek, has in her possession
the family Bible, which was the property of the second Ja-
cob, and is one hundred and eight years old. The first Jacob
was a weaver by trade.

John Conrad, son of the second Jacob Conrad, married
Elizabeth, daughter of John and granddaughter of the first
William Currence. Children, Currence, Rush, Jacob, Ann D.,
who married John Currence; Eliza, who married William
Currence; Nancy, who married John Crawford; Sarah, who
married a Mr. Haymond ; Jemima married Crawford; Mandy,
who married Marshall Clark and moved to Missouri ; Cur-
rence Conrad married a Miss Haymond ; Rush married a Miss
Shingleton ; Jacob married a Miss Haymond. *Rush Conrad
was county clerk of Braxton many years. Currence moved
to Gilmore and was clerk of the County Court for about thir-
ty years. Benjamin, son of Jacob, was clerk of the Circuit
Court of Webster for many years.

Bailey M., son of Johnathan and Mary (Beasley) Barco,
was born in 1870, married in 1903 Estelle, daughter of Har-
man and Mary Conrad. Children Mary C. and Ruth M.

Lewis C, son of Jacob and Ann ( Baily Conrad, was born
in 1850, married Mary, daughter of Johnathan and Delila
(Haigler) Crouch. Children, Grace, Harry and Bruce.

Mr. Conrad is a merchant at Mill Creek. He has been
four times mayor of Mill Creek; constable of Huttonsville
District, and member of Board of Education. Mr. Conrad's
mother at the advanced age of 89, is still active physically,
with no diminution of her mental faculties.

Hiram J., son of John B. and Mary Ann (Wilson) Con-
rad, born 1847, married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Ann
(Baily) Conrad. Children, Louella Ann, Estella Cecil and
Jacob Wilton.

Mr. Conrad is a grandson of Peter Conrad, the pioneer,

*Omar Conrad, son of Rush, married Alice, daughter of Conrad Currence.
He is a prominent resident of Randolph. He is an ex-member of County Court
and has held other positions of trust and honor.

334 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

and first of the name in the county. Peter Conrad married
Ann, daughter of the first William Currence.

William Hall, son of John B. and Alary (Wilson) Conrad,
was born in 1849, married 1892, Alice, daughter of Bryson
and Mary (Stalnaker) Hamilton. Mr. Conrad selected his
second wife in the person of Effie, daughter of Randolph and
Katherine (Hutton) Crouch. Mr. Conrad has traveled ex-
tensively in Colorado, California, Florida and other Southern
and Western States. He is constable of Huttonsville District.

Wirt P. Conrad, son of Jacob P. and Elizabeth (Alkire)
Conrad, was born in 1853. In 1873 he married Lydia Sar-
gent and some years after her death he was united in marriage
to Mary E. Brady. Children, Fenton, Fletcher, Ross W..
Hettie A., George P., John B., Grover E.. C. O., Mary, Charles,
Boyd, Myrtle and Laura. Mr. Conrad was justice of the peace
of Huttonsville District, and his father was for many years
a lawver and clerk of the Circuit Court of Webster Count}'.

THE CURRENCE FAMILY.

The Currence Family. William was the paternal ances-
tor of the Currence family in Randolph. He immigrated from
Ireland to the colonies, locating in Maryland. He left his na-
tive land when 16 years of age. After remaining in Maryland
for a few years he pushed farther into the wilderness and
settled in the Valley, occupying the land where the town of
Beverly is now located. Believing that the county seat would
be located farther up the Valley, he traded lands with the
Westfalls, obtaining 600 acres where the town of Mill Creek
is now located. He built a tub mill on the river, near the
mouth of Mill Creek. This is supposed to have been the first
water mill within the present limits of Randolph County.
Some years later his son, William, built a grist mill on Mill
Creek, on the site of the present steam flouring mill of
Jesse Rosencranse. That stream for many years in the pion-
eer period bore the name of Currence's Mill Creek. Later
the word Currence was dropped and it has since borne the
abbreviated name of Mill Creek. He built the Currence Fort,
which was located a few hundred yards southeast of the rail-
way station in the present town of Mill Creek. It was built

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 335

in 1774. Withers incorrectly refers to it as Cassino's fort.
In the early days of Randolph, the pioneers carried their iron,
salt and other necessities that could not be manufactured at
home, from Clarksburg on pack horses. It was while on one
of these trips that William Currence met a Miss Steele of
Harrison County, whom he married.

William Currence was killed from ambush by the Indians
May 12, 1791. Frank Riffle was killed by the savages on the
same day, on the same road, and in the same immediate vi-
cinity. Whether they were together when they were attacked
is not known. They were killed on the Mat between Beccas
and Riffles Creek, near where the Old Brick Church stood.
Mr. Currence was on his way to Haddan's fort, several miles
up the river. He then lived in the vicinity of Currence's Fort.
The settlers were apprehensive that Indians were in the com-
munity and Mr. Currence's family in vain entreated him not
to venture on such a perilous trip. His son was sent to the
field for the horse and returned with the excuse that the ani-
mal could not be caught. But the father was obdurate and
under threats of punishment the lad brought the horse to his
father. Mr. Currence was shot and killed by a shot from an
Indian's rifle and the tradition that he came to his death by
falling against a tree when his horse was shot from under him,
is incorrect.

Disagreement with his step mother was the cause of
William Currence leaving home and coming to America. Tn
the absence of his father a misunderstanding arose between
the two. Believing that harmony was no longer possible, he
at once entered upon his journey to America. When a short
distance from home he met his father, who enquired where
he was going. The son replied, "To America."' The father
after finding admonition unavailing, dismounted and a spirited
foot race was the result. The young man finallv leaped a
ditch which the parent could not cross and eluded the pur-
suit of his father.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William (Steele")
Currence. They were as follows: John, Willliam, Samuel,
Sydney, Jane, Sally, Ann. Fydia, and two girls whose names
are not known. One of these girls married Samuel Bonner,

336 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

of Elk, and the other married a man by the name of Shaw.
John married a daughter of Jonas Friend ; Samuel married
Elizabeth, daughter of Cornelius Bogard ; William married
Mary, daughter of Sylvester Ward, Sydney married Nicholas
Wilmoth ; Jane married Johnathan Smith ; Sally married
Mathew Wamsley ; Ann married Henry Mace ; Lydia married
Benjamin Hornbeck.

Samuel, son of William and Lydia (Steele) Currence,
married Elizabeth Bogard. Children, Cornelius, Henry, John
and William. All went West except Henry, who married a
Miss Zicafoose. Their children were Amanda, who married
Patrick Crickard ; Mary, who married Adam Hornbeck: An-
drew, Haymond and Eliza, who married John Fox.

John, son of William and Lydia (Steele) Currence, had
six children ; John, who married a Miss Crouch ; William, who
married Miss Nellie Daniels ; Ann, who married Peter Con-
rad; Elizabeth, who married John Conrad; Delilah, who mar-
ried a McLean and Sarah, who married Ulrich Conrad.

The children of John Curence, who married Miss Crouch,
were Abraham, Bettie, who married a Parsons; Sarah, who
married a Bell ; Mary, who married a man by the name of
Weese, and Elizabeth, who married Aaron Bell.

William, son of the first William, who married Miss
Mary Ward, and after her death married the widow Dyer,
had by his first wife, John,* Johnathan and William, and
Elizabeth, who married Gabriel Chenoweth ; Jemima, who
married Adam Carper; Virginia, who married Benjamin Scott.
By his second marriage, Nancy, who married James McCall ;
Mary, who married Absalom Kyle ; and Catherine, who mar-
ried Jesse Haigler.

William, son of William and Mary (Ward) Currence,
married Eliza Conrad. Children, Jacob C, Melvin, Johna-
than, Eliza and Elizabeth. Adam married a Miss Dodrili,
Anthony married Mary, daughter of Aaron Bell, in 1870.
Children, Eliza, William, Louisa, Melvin, Retha, Reuben D.,
and Addie.

Col. Melvin Currence, son of William H. and Eliza Con-
rad Currence, was born in 1829. In 1863 he married Matilda
V., daughter of John B. Earle. Children, Flora, Frederick,

♦John, son of William and Mary (Ward) Currence married Ann Conrad,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Currence) Conrad Children : Laban, who mar-
ried Alice Ward, Conrad, who married Edith Ruckey, and who was killed in the

civil war. Perry, who married Nancy who married Stephen Shaver,

Mary, who married Geo. W. Bosworth, Millie, who married Eli Crouch, and Rush,
who died in youth.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 337

Elizabeth, William H., Hiram A., Albert B., Eliza A. and
Eelix E.

Jacob C. Currence married Virginia, daughter of William
and Nellie (Daniels) Currence. Children, William D., Page
B., R. E. Lee, Marion Harding, Arthur, Melvin, Maud, Effie,
Eliza, Elizabeth and Nellie. Page B. Currence married Di-
ana Swecker. Children, Christopher, Leland, Jacob, Hugh,
Marion, Ruth, Missouri, Virginia and Rusia. He died in 1906.

William, son of Jacob, married Ann Conrad. Children,
Humboldt, Alice, Garland and Warren.

Lee Currence, son of Jacob, was born in 1864, married in
1891, Annie, daughter of Whitman Bradley. Children, Mary.

Nellie, Melvin, Arthur and Eliza are dead. Eliza and Ar-
thur died when adults, the others in childhood.

Johnathan, son of William II. and Eliza (Conrad) Cur-
rence, was born in 1832. He married in 1857, Nancy Geer.
Children, William, Rhoda, Charles, Adam, Austin, Eliza.

William Currence, son of John and grandson of the hrst
William, married Nellie Daniels. Children, Lorenzo Dow,
Squire Bosworth, William Dolbeare, Ulrich, Virginia, Thony,
Ellen and Allen.

Lorenzo D. Currence moved to Nebraska subsequent to
the Civil Wrar. He married Mary Leeper. Children, Florence
and Brownson.

William, son of William and Nellie (Daniels) Currence,
married Adaline, daughter of William and Mary Bradley.
He was born in 1822 and died in 1809. Children, Maria,
and Ann Laban. By a second marriage to Ellen Stalnaker,
children, Delphie and Lewis.

Squire B. Currence married Margaret Wamsley. Chil-
dren, L. D. John.

Laban Currence, son of William D. and Adaline Bradley
Currence, married Edmonia Woolwine. Children, William,
Ida, who married Wm. Phares ; Sallie, who married R. E.
Newlon, and Daisy.

John Currence, son of William, who was killed by the
Indians, was a member of the first grand jury drawn in Ran-
dolph County in 1787. He was sheriff in 1806, captain of the

338 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

count}- militia in 1805, overseer of the poor of John Haddan's
District in 1803.

William Currence, son of the first William, was lieuten-
ant of militia in 1807.

Jacob C. Currence was captain of the militia in 1853 and
constable in 1854.

\\ illiam Dolbear Currence was constable for about twen-
ty-five years, performing the duties of that office up to within
a short time of his death, at the advanced age of 88 years.

Col. Melvin Currence was justice of the peace in
1884. He was Colonel of the 107th Virginia Regiment at the
beginning of the Civil War.

C. S. Currence. son of Page B. and Dianah (Swecker)
Currence, was born June 18, 1885. Mr. Currence lives o.n part
of the Currence homestead, near Daily, that has been in pos-
session of the family for more than a century.

William D., son of Jacob and Virginia Currence, was
born April 30, 1857, married Ann, daughter of Peter Conrad.
Children, Alice, Humboldt, Grace and Warren. The family
name has passed down to him from the pioneer William Cur-
rence, who was killed by the Indians. Mr. Currence is pro-
prietor of the Cassidy Coal Mines that supplies the Upper
\ alley with duty diamonds. He is a voluminous reader and
is well informed on past and passing events of the world.

John W., son of Squire Bosworth and Margaret ( Wams-
ley) Currence, was born January 20, 1877, married, first,
Mary Catherine Cooper, second, Floretta May Painter. Mr.
Currence having misfortune in the loss of his first and sec-
ond wives, choose a Frances Vandevander for his third
wife. One child, John Franklin, survives his second wife and
by Miss Vandevander he has a son, Lotrv Clyde, and Jen-
neatta and Winnona. Mr. Currence has been policeman at
Mill Creek for twelve years. He is a descendant of two prom-
nent pioneer families of Randolph.

R. E. Lee Currence. son of Jacob and Virginia Currence,
was born May 10. 1864. married, first, Anna, daughter of
Whitman Bradly. Children. Mary. Married, second. Arsella,
daughter of George and Mary (Doyle) Pingley. Mr. Cur-
rence is a prosperous farmer living near Huttonsville. Mr.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 339

Currence is a member of the pioneer Currence family of Ran-
dolph.

Johnathan J. Currence was born in 1843. Mr. Currence
was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War and belonged to
the 19th Virginia Cavalry, and was Sergeant of Couriers in
Lonox Division of Early's Corps. Mr. Currence was con-
stable of Huttonsville District seven years and served one
term as Mayor of Mill Creek.

THE DANIELS FAMILY.

The Daniels Family. William Daniels was the first of the
name to locate in Randolph County. The exact date is un-
certain, but it was prior to 1795, perhaps in 1792. John Chen-
oweth and William Daniels came to Randolph together. Wil-
liam Daniels located on Files Creek, a few hundred yards
east of the present residence of Richard Wamsley, two miles
east of Beverly. He married Catherine, daughter of Jacob
Stalnaker, in 1795.

William Daniels was a typical man of his day. Casting
his lot in the wilderness, at the age of 16, remote from rela-
tives, he learned to read by his own unaided efforts, and be-
came an intelligent and prominent citizen. He represented
Randolph in the Virginia Assembly, when the capital at Rich-
mond was reached by a perilous trip through the wilderness
on horseback. He was sheriff of Randolph in 1818, justice
of peace in 1808, constable in 1803. The family originally
came from England where several of them were distinguished
as poets, historians and scientists.

The children of William and Katherine (Stalnaker) Dan-
iels were, Earle, Jacob, Johnathan, Madison, Nellie, who mar-
ried William Currence; William, Elmere, Eli and Mary.

Children of Madison : Rev. William P. Daniels, Harri-
son, Harper, Allen, Bushrod, Samuel, Mary, who married
Achem Harper; Elizabeth, who married Alpheus Buckey, and
Christina, who married Geo. Elbon.

Children of Johnathan: Jacob, Squire William, Elam.
Hamilton, Catherine, Mona and Mattie.

Children of Jacob: Welton, Parsons and Job.

Children of Allison: Washington, John, Elijah Lafay-

340 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ette, Elmore, Isom David, Nancy, who married Absalom
Pritt ; Harnett and Mary.

Earle Daniels moved to the West. Children, James, Am-
brose, Isom, Bernard, Rebecca, Alary and Elizabeth.

Children of Eli: Orlando, Gabriel and Melvina.

The children of the first William married as follows :
Jacob married a Miss Parsons, Johnathan a Miss Weese, Wil-
liam a Miss Chenoweth, Madison a Miss Skidmore, Allison a
Miss Chenoweth, Earle a Miss Parsons, Elmore a Miss Coop-
er, Eli a Miss Harper.

Rev. Wm. P. Daniels, son of Madison and Ellen (Skid-
more) Daniels, was born in 1849, married in 1869, Minerva,
daughter of Hoy and Elizabeth McEean. Children, Dr. H.
\Y., Floyd A., Dorsey M., Byron H. and Willie.

Rev. Daniels was for years a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal church. He rendered particularly valuable services
to the church in his day, it seeming to appeal to his sense of
duty to visit and serve the weak, isolated and neglected fields.

Byron II., son of Rev. Wm. P. and Minerva (McLean)
Daniels, was born May 19, 1883, married June 12, 1914, Sara
Virginia Ellifitts. Mr. Daniels was educated in the public
schools. For twelve years Mr. Daniels has been in charge of
the money order and registry department of the Elkins post-
office.

Dorsey M. Daniels, son of Rev. Wm. P. and Minnie
(McLean) Daniels, was born in 1877, married Earnie N.
(Johnson) Ray. Children, Edgar, Eugene and Charles Cletus.
Mr. Daniels' efficiency and faithfulness is attested by the fact
that he has been in the employ as clerk of the Elkins Hard-
ware and Furniture Company for thirteen years.

Page Cameran Daniels, son of Solomon W. and Mary
(Gum) Daniels, was born in 1856, married Annie Grace,
daughter of Fountain and (Hamilton) Butcher. Chil-
dren, Howard L., I'lah, Mabel, Ethel and Hallie B. are de-
ceased. Mr. Daniels is the great grandson of the first Wil-
liam. Mr. Daniels has been mayor of Beverly and member of
town council.

Martin L. Daniels, son of G. H. and Susannah (Sem-
ple) Daniels, was born in 1868, married Carrie Shobe. Chil-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 341

dren, Ralston and Mary. Mr. Daniels was educated in pub-
lic schools and Fairmont Normal. He taught school several
terms and was principal of Pickens public school. At present
he holds a responsible position with the Western Maryland
Railroad.

Oliver C. Daniels, son of George Harrison and Susannah
(Semple) Daniels, was bom in 1872, married 1898, Lovet,
daughter of J. H. and Sydney (Weese) Schoonover. Mr. Dan-
iels is the present postmaster of Beverly.

William G. Daniels, French descent, was born in Au-
gusta Countv, Virginia, in 1846; came to Randolph in 1878.
His grandfather, Joseph Daniels, was seven years a soldier
under Napoleon and though wounded many times, survived
the war. Mr. Daniels was justice of the peace in Huttons-
ville in 1908. Mr. Daniels belongs to a family that is not re-
lated to the other Daniels family in Randolph.

George Harrison Daniels, son of Madison Daniels and
grandson of William Daniels, was born in 1840, married in
1862, Martha I, daughter of Martin and Susan Stemple. Chil-
dren, Flora A., Jessup, Loretta E., Martin L., Calvin H., Oli-
ver C, Louie B., George H., Plummer B., Lizzie M., Alta
G. He represented Randolph and Tucker in the State Legis-
lature in 1893.

THE EARLE FAMILY.

The Earle Family. Archibald Earle, son of Isaiah Earle,
was the first of the name to locate in Randolph. He was
born in Clark County, Virginia, in 1788, and died in 1842. He
came to Randolph when quite a young man and was elected
county clerk in 1810, when 22 years of age. He was clerk of
the County Court twenty-nine consecutive years. The Earle
family is of English descent and the name is derived from the
Anglo-Saxon, Eorle, a title of nobility. In 1812 Archibald
Earle married Mary, daughter of Peter Buckey. Their chil-
dren were John B., Sally Ann, Lucinda, Maria, Christina,
Edith, Elias, Anzina, Archibald, Jefferson, Mary E. and
Creed L.

Creed Luther Earle, born in 1837, son of Archibald and
Mary (Bucky) Earle. In 1878 he married Columbia J., daugh-

342 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ter of William Harrison and Ruth Ann (Hart) Coberly. Chil-
dren, Charles, Harrison, Delbert. Archibald, Pearl and Mary
Ruth. Mr. Earle was constable of Leadsville District in 1886
and was postmaster of Leadsville under Cleveland. He own-
ed the land which was the original site of the City of Elkins.
John B. Earle was for many years clerk of the Circuit
Court of Randolph. Arch and Jefferson Earle moved to Fort
Worth, Texas, at the close of the Civil War.

THE EBERMAN FAMILY.

The Eberman Family. This family was among the early
settlers of Randolph. The name is not represented in the
male line in Randolph today. John and Jacob Eberman,
brothers, located on Eberman'" s Creek, now Chenoweth Creek,
at an early day. The}' came from Pendleton. The Ebermans
were of German ancestry. They were soldiers from Pendle-
ton in the French and Indian War of 1754-60.

THE ELZA FAMILY.

The Elza Family. This name is of English origin and in
the early records of the County was spelled Elsey and Elzay.
The Elza family was among the first settlers in the eastern
part of the county. Thompson Elza moved to Randolph
from Mineral the first decade of the county's history. Thump-
son Elza was captain of the militia in 1844. Sampson Elza
was captain of the militia in 1860.

Thompson Elza married Sarah White, and to this union
were born Solomon, Taylor, William, Sampson, Alfred, La-
fayette. Joseph, Adam and Caroline.

Floyd Elza, son of Taylor Elza, was born in 1895. Mr.
Elza is single and is a woodsman by occupation.

Eli Elza, son of Taylor Elza, was born in 1888, married
Ockie, daughter of Malcom and Sally A. Henry. Children.
Emma, B. Y. and Hansel. Mr. Elza resides at Wymer, West
Virginia, and his occupation is that of a woodsman.

Adam Elza was born in 1854, married Almeda, daughter
of Albertus White. Children, Sarah C, Victoria, Oliver Y.,
Lafayette, Albert N., Lustie, Selma, Wilbert, Lusta, Sana,

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 343

Leon, Folsie, William and Rockford. Mr. Elza is engaged in
farming and has lived twenty-six years in his present location.

JAMES II. ELDER.
James H., son of John W. and Clara (Huber) Elder, was
born September 11, 1872, at Chambersbnrg, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Elder married Miss Mae, daughter of Martin and Eliza-
beth (Sensney) Brown. Children, Ruth and Huber. Mr.
Elder's ancestors were pioneers in Franklin County, Pennsyl-
vania. His paternal grandfather, J. G. Elder, was colonel of
the 126 Pennsylvania volunteers in the war between the states.
Mr. Elder came to Elkins in 1901. He is a stationer and
book seller, having his place of business at Third Street,
Elkins.

THE FRIEND FAMILY.

The Friend Family. The Friends were of German de-
scent and came to Randolph from Pendleton. The date of
their arrival is not certain, except as to Joseph, who settled
in Randolph in 1789. Jonas Friend was Sergeant from Pen-
dleton in the French and Indian War of 1754-60. He was
constable of that County in 1767, when a part of Augusta.
Jacob Friend was the father of Jonas, Joseph, Thomas and
Johnathan. Jonas Friend settled on Leading Creek, near its
mouth, on the south side of that stream, where Friends Fort
was located. He was a neighbor of Robert Maxwell, who
lived on the opposite side of the Creek. In 1789 Robert Max-
well gave notice to the County Court that he had applied to
the General Assembly for the privilege of constructing a ferry
across Leading Creek, between the lands of Jonas Friend and
his own. A ferry across Leading Creek would not seem to be
necessary today, however, all streams were, perhaps, larger
a century ago than today because of their more heavily tim-
bered water basins. The Friend family is extinct in the male
line in Randolph. They moved to the West. Their names
appear in the records of Randolph for the last time in 1807.

THE FERGUSON FAMILY.
The Ferguson Family. Robert Ferguson was the first of
this name to locate in Randolph. He came from Greene

344 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

County, Pennsylvania, in 1780. His father, James Ferguson,
immigrated from Ireland to the colonies at an early day.
Robert Ferguson was a blacksmith, and when a youth, shod a
horse for General Washington near Pittsburgh. Robert Fer-
guson married Deborah, daughter of Thomas Wilmoth, in
1807. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1868.
His children were, Archibald, who married Anna Triplett ;
Nancy, who married Elizabeth De Garmo; Wyatt, who mar-
ried Edith Schoonover; Solomon, who married Mary J. Tnp-
plett; Robert, who married Nancy Gainer; Susan, who mar-
riad Abel H. Kelly; and Elizabeth, who never married.

THE GIBSON FAMILY.

The Gibson Family. James, Dudley, John and Virginia
Gibson, three brothers and a sister, came to Randolph prior
to the Civil War from Virginia. Later Betsy, with her hus-
band, James Trainum, also moved to the Valley. The chil-
dren of Tames were, Alexander, Francis and Catherine Dudley
twice married and had twenty-four children, none of whom
reached manhood. James and Dudley were soldiers of the
was of 1812. Alexander married Margaret, daughter of John
and Joan (Harris) Currence. Children, J. X., Mary, J. A.,
Thomas, Alice, William, Samuel, Lafayette and Lottie. Al-
ice married John Fansler, Willliam married Jane Fansler. La-
fayette married a Miss Everett. Samuel and Thomas moved
to the western part of the State. Mary married William Gib-
son ; Lottie married Sampson Day.

T. N. married Gilsae McLeod. Children, Rose, Dold,
Daisy, Emerson, W. W., Kent, Alonzo and Sallie. J. Newton

Gibson was a teamster in the Civil War at the age of years.

J. A. Gibson married Virginia, daughter of John W. Mullenix.
Children, Effie V., John, Ethel, Eddie, Flossie, Catherine and
Dollie. Eddie died in early childhood, Effie and Dollie died
at the age of 24.

J. A. Gibson was the nominee of the Republican party for
the Legislature in 1908 and more than carried the strength
of his party. He also taught in the public schools of this
County and the State of Nebraska for a number of years.

Francis Dold Gibson, son of Jasper N. and Rosae (Mc-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 345

Lead) Gibson, was bom at Beverly in 1872, married Maggie
Collett. Children, Ruth, .Martha, Blanche, Frances D. and
Eugent. Mr. Gibson was on the police force, regular and ex-
tra, in the City of Elkins for five years. He was policeman
for the Coal & Coke Company fur three years. He is now en-
gaged in the real estate business in Elkins.

THE GODDIN FAMILY.

The Goddin Family. The Goddin family is of English
descent and were pioneers in the mother state, being among
the first settlers of New Kent County, Virginia. Jefferson
Goddin came to Randolph in 1827 and settled near Elkins.
He married Rachel Chenoweth. Their children were, Andrew
J., Isaac P., Judson C, Thomas J., Clitis, George, Emmett,
Melissa E., Virginia, Mary and Eliza.

Judson Chenoweth Goddin, born in 1841, married Susan
(Ray) Corley. Children, Rachel J., Jacob L., Thomas J., Ben-
jamin F., Hattie Lee and George Judson.

Jesse W. Goddin, son of Jefferson and Rachel (Cheno-
weth) Goddin, married in 1856, Mary E., daughter of Daniel
and Sallie Ann (Earle) Harper. Children, Floyd, Lucy, Ida,
Betty, Jefferson, May and John. He was a member of the
Board of Supervisors in 1870-1, and was president of the
County Court in 1872-6. He was justice of the peace of Leads-
\ die District 1884-92, and was again a member of the County
Court in 1892-93.

THE GANDY FAMILY.

The Gandy Family. Uriah Gandy was the leader of a
band of Tories during the Revolution. He was active in be-
half of the mother country in Pendleton, the eastern part of
Randolph and adjoining comities. With a number of British
sympathizers he established a camp on Tory Camp Run, a
few miles south of the present town of Harmon. Notwith-
standing the fact that he was not in harmony with the early
settlers in the matter of politics, he attained a place of prom-
inence in the early history of Randolph. Subsequent to the
Revolution he settled on a branch of Dry Fork, which has
borne the name of Gandy Creek. At that time he was miles

346 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

from any other human habitation. His wife was a daughtei
of Jesse Hughes, the noted Indian fighter. He was one of
the justices of the peace appointed by the Governor in the
organization of the County in 1787. Being the oldest justice
of peace in point of service, he was promoted to sheriff in
1793. He moved to Kentucky in 1797. Air. Gandy located
his cabin about fifty yards from the junction of Gandy Creek
with Dry Fork between the two streams.

THE GOFF FAMILY.

The Goff Family. The Goff family, one of the most
prominent and influential in the State, was first represented
in Virginia by Job Goff, who settled in Harrison County in
1805. The Goff family is of German descent and settled in
Rhode Island is an early colonial period.

David Goff, son of Job Goff, located in Randolph prior to
1829, when he was united in marriage to Christina, daughter
of Peter Buckey. Their children were Claude, Cecilia and
Vernon. David Goff became prosecuting attorney in 1835,
superintendent of schools in 1853. He represented the Coun-
ty in the Virginia Assembly and also in the Senate after the
formation of the new state. He was Colonel of the Virginia
militia in 1844. General Nathan Guff. ex-Secretary of the
Navy, and now United States Senator, is a nephew of David
Goff and studied law in his uncle's office at Beverly.

Claude Goff, son of David and Christina (Buckey) Goff,
was for many years a practitioner at the Beverly bar and
was a highly esteemed citizen. He married Anna, daughter
of Franklin and Lucinda Leonard. Their children were Chas.
P., David and Ralph Waldo.

■ Ralph Waldo Goff, a very promising young man who was
preparing himself for the legal profession, died in the twenty-
first vear of his aee at Beverlv.

it?

THE HUTTON FAMILY.

The Hutton Family. Abraham Hutton was, perhaps, the
first of the name to come to America. He was of Welch de-
scent, and located in what is now Hardy County. He married
a Miss Evans, of Philadelphia. The children of this marriage

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 347

were Isaac, Moses, Peter and Johnathan. Moses Hutton en-
tered 200 acres of land on Stony River in Hampshire County
in 1789. Abraham Hutton was living in Hardy County in
1794.

johnathan Hutton was horn June 3, 1769, and married
Mary, daughter of Frederick and Barbara Troiitwine, in
Hardy County in May, 1790. He moved to Randolph and
settled on the west side of the river, near the present village
of Huttonsville in 1795. The children of Johnathan and Bar-
bara (Troutwine) Hutton were Moses, Abraham, John A.,
Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy, Catherine, Fannie and Mary. Kliz-
abeth married Andrew Crouch, Catherine married Chas. C.
See, Mary married W. J. Long.

Moses Hutton, son of Johnathan and Barbara (Trout-
wine) Hutton, married Mary Haigler. Their children were
Mary, Alfred, Elihu, Eugene, Virginia and Mozella. He died
in the sixty-sixth year of his age.

John A. Hutton, son of Johnathan and Barbara (Trout-
wine) Hutton, married Dorothy See in 1834. Their children
were Margaret, Catherine, Rachel, Lucy, Caroline and
Warwick.

Abraham Hutton, son of Johnathan and Barbara (Trout-
wine) Hutton, married Phoeba Ann Wilson in 1836. Chil-
dren, Mary Catherine, Phoeba, Amelia, Albert E., James S.
Decatur B. and John.

Lieutenant Eugene Hutton, son of Moses Hutton, gave
his life to the lost cause at the battle of Bunkerhill, September
3, 1864. He was a brave and intrepid soldier and was highly
esteemed for man}' excellencies in civil life.

Elihu, son of Moses and Mary (Haigler) Hutton, was
born December 31, 1837, died April 19, 1916. He was reared
on his father's farm in the vicinity of Huttonsville and was
educated under private tutors and at the Huttonsville Acad-
tmv, then the principal seat of learning in this section of the
State. At the age of 24, in 1861, he organized Company C of
the 20th Regiment Virginia Cavalry. He was elected Captain
of his Regiment and by meritorious service arose to Colonel
of the Regiment at the close of the war. He participated in
the principal engagements of the war. He was wounded sev-

348

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

eral times; severely at Smithfield, Virginia. His brother,
Eugene, a young man of much promise was killed at Bunker
Hill in 1864. At the close of the war he resumed the pursuits
of husbandry on the home farm.

COLONEL ELIHU HUTTON.

In 1872 he married Miss Sophrina, daughter of Harvey
Woodford, of Barbour County. To this union were born two
daughters. Mrs. Laone, wife of Capt. W. H. Cobb, of Elkins,
and Mrs. Beryl, wife of Floyd Strader. of Elkins ; and three
sons, Woodford, Forest and Ernest.

Col. Hutton represented his county two terms in the
State Legislature and his genial and generous nature, coupled
with qualities of mind that incited admiration, made him very
popular, alike in private and public life.

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 349

Col. Hutton was prominently identified with the Confed-
erate service during the Civil War. He was with Lee at Elk-
water. He accompanied Gen. W. L. Jackson in his raid in the
Valley in 1863, and was with Gen. [mhoden in his raid in
West Virginia the same year. Col. Hutton was one of Gen.
Early's subordinates upon whom he much depended in his
campaign in the Valley against Sheridan.

John A. Hutton was justice of the peace in 1841. I le rep-
resented Randolph and Tucker in the Legislature snbseqnent
to the Civil War. lie was assessor of lands in 1880. War-
wick, son of Johnathan, also represented Randolph and Tuck-
er in the State Legislature and was sheriff of Randolph in
1888.

John A. Hutton in association with Mathew Whitman,
Dr. Squire Bosworth, Andrew Crawford and others, were
among the leaders in the organization of the Presbyterian
church in Randolph and made it a power in moulding a moral
and religious sentiment in the earlier years of the Connty.
The Hutton family also deserve credit for fostering education
in Randolph prior to the Civil War. Tt was largely through
their efforts that the academy was established in antebellum
days. In this school, taught by Capt. Jacob I. Hill, many
men of Randolph received an education which enabled them
to take a leading part in the professions of teaching, law, med-
icine, the pulpit, as well as in the civic affairs of the County
and State.

H. Woodford, son of Col Elihu and Sophina (Woodford)
Hutton, was born February 26, 1876, married Lena, daughter
of Seymour McCarty. Mr. Hutton was educated at Fair-
mont Normal and at State University. He is engaged in
farming and stockraising near Huttonsville.

Bedford Forrest, son of Elihu and Sophina (Woodford)
Hutton, was born in 1885, married Ethelyn Virginia, daugh-
ter of A. J. and E. V. (Robinson) Bonnafield. Children, Eli-
hu Bonnafield, Frances Haigler and Ethelyn Virginia. Mr.
Hutton was educated at Potomac Academy, Stetson Univer-
sity, Florida, Pantops Academy, Washington, and Washing-
ton and Lee University, where he matriculated in the depart-

350 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ment of law. Mr. Hutton is engaged in farming and stock-
raising.

THE HARDING FAMILY.

Joseph French Harding, born November 9, 1838. in Anne
Arundle County, Maryland, son of Joseph and Alice (Elliott)
Harding. He married in 1869, Luceba. daughter of Archibald
and Caroline (Taylor) Wilmoth. Children, Clare W., French
Leslie, Luceba M., Roella, To L. and Vie Owen. Mrs. Harding
died April 8, 1910. Jo Lile died January 26, 1906. The name
had a military origin and the Hardings have always had a
bent toward the profession of arms, many of the name dis-
tinguishing themselves in military life. Maj. Harding entered
the Confederate service at the beginning of the war, when 23
vears of age. He remained until the close of the war firing
the last shot of that conflict, perhaps, at Knapps Creek, in an
engagement with Capt. Badger. He was in many hard fought
battles and had many seeming miraculous escapes. Although
several times wounded, Maj. Harding is today physically su-
perior to the average man twenty years his junior. He rose
to the rank of Major and was named for promotion to Colonel
when the war closed. Maj. Harding has no characteristics of
the man who yields and after Lee's surrender made an effort
to reach the country beyond the Mississippi, where he be-
lieved the Confederates were still holding out, but on learn-
ing that all had surrendered, lie wrote his own parole May
23^ 1865.

Subsequent to the Civil War, Maj. Harding twice repre-
sented Randolph and Tucker counties in the State Legisla-
ture and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of
1872. He was Sheriff of Randolph from 1877 to 1881. Since
1885. with his son Clare W. Harding, as junior member of
the firm, he has been an attorney at law.

Clare W. Harding, son of Major and Luceba (Wilmoth)
Harding, was born in 1872, married Ada, daughter of S. X.
and Katherine ( Brown) Bosworth. Children. Mildred, Ev-
elyn, Neil, Lyle and Josephine. Mr. Harding has served two
terms as prosecuting attorney of Randolph County and was
appointed commissioner in chancer}- by Judge Kittle.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 351

THE HARPER FAMILY.

The Harper Family. The Harper family is of German
ancestry. The name was originally spelled Herber or Herr-
ber. Three brothers, Adam, Jacob and Phillip immigrated
from the Rhine to the Shenandoah Valley in about 1750.
They were in the French and Indian War from Pendleton.
Henry, a son of the first Jacob, was born in 1788 and died in
1850. lie was the ancestor of the Harper family in Randolph.
He married Elizabeth Mouse. Their children were Jacob,
Jehu, Moses, Henry, Eva, Elizabeth, Abraham and Daniel,
in 1799, Jacob C. Harper purchased two tracts of land of
Abraham Claypool on the east side of the river in the Cap-
linger settlement. The Harpers and Caplingers were neigh-
bors in Pendleton and it is probable that the report that the
Caplingers gave of the country induced the Harpers to follow
them to Randolph. There were two Jacob Conrad Harpers.
The Jacob Conrad Harper who lived on Horse Camp Run was
the son of Moses and Phoeba Conrad Harper and grandson
of the first Jacob Harper. Jacob Harper also purchased 402
acres of land in what is now the Caplinger settlement in 1799.
The grantor was Geo. See of Hardy County, who had received
a patent for the land in 1783.

Geo. W . Harper, son of Daniel and Sally Ann (Earle)
Harper, was born in 1849. Mr. Harper was married in 1870 to
Louisa Ann Taylor. Children, W. G., Burtie M. and John
T., who was a machinist and was killed by a boiler explosion
in the Western Maryland yards at Elkins. Mr. Harper was
deputy sheriff in 1866-7, and was constable from 1881-7.

W. W. Harper, son of Miles N. and Christina Lawrence
Harper, was born in Pendleton County in 1881. He was edu-
cated in the public schools of his native county and came to
Randolph in 1914. Mr. Harper married Margie Christina
Teter. Two children have blessed this union, Freda and
Lena. Mr. Harper was clerk of the Circoit Court of Pen-
dleton in 1913, and deputy sheriff in 1908-12. At present he
holds the responsible position of cashier of Stockman's Rank
at Harmon.

Seymour Harper, son of Jacob C. and Susan (McDonald)
Harper, was born in 1865, married Sallie (Shober) Ours.

352 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Children, Carl, Earle C, Pearl S., William Jennings Bryan,
Mabel, Brooks, Madaline, Neil Wood, Gail, Ruth. Dale died
in infancy. Mr. Harper came to Elkins in 1907 and has been
prominently identified with the business interests of the city.

Isom Harper, son of Jacob C. and Susan (McDonald)
Harper, was born near Harmon in 1868; married Phoeb
(Bright) Carr. Children, Minor, Delia, Lexie, Theodore R.,
and Guy. Calvin died in the twenty-ninth year of his eage ;,
Claudie died, aged 21 ; Holmes R. died, in the eleventh year
of his age, and Otos died in infancy. Mr. Harper was con-
stable of Dry Fork District in 1895.

Daniel A. Harper, son of A. E. and Amanda Virginia
(Hinkle) Harper, was born in 1867 ; married Minerva, daugh-
ter of Nicholas and Eliza (McLean) Wilmoth. Children,
Caudy,, Mittie Virginia and Benton E. Mr. Harper was born
and raised on what is known as the Harper Triangle in the
City of Elkins. He was also the founder of Harper Town, a
thriving suburb of the City of Elkins.

Philip D. Harper, son of John 1). and Ellen (Simmons)
Harper, was born in Harmon, W. Va. in 1868; married Mintie
E. (Gofr) Lantz. Children, Harmon, Iva, Nela, Nellie, Wil-
bur, John, Bessie, Maggie, Lester, Ernest, Snowden, Ross,
Scott. Five children of Mr. and Mrs. Harper died in infancy,
making 18 children. It is a peculiar coincidence that Mr. and
Mrs. Harper were born on the same day in the same year.

THE HART FAMILY.

Hart Family. The Hart family is of English descent
and has been identified with the county since 1785, when two
brothers, Daniel and Edward Hart, located at the present
town of Beverly. Daniel settled about a mile above Beverly
on Files Creek near the old Buckey mill site. They came to
Randolph from New Jersey. John and Daniel Hart were sol-
diers in the Revolution, and were sons of John Hart, who
signed the Declaration of Independence.

Joseph Hart, son of Edward Hart, was born and reared
near Beverly. He became a prominent lawyer, having been
admitted to the bar of Randolph in 1837, and was also prom-
inent in public and political affairs. He twice represented his

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 353

county in the State Legislature and was president of the
county court. He moved to the summit of Rich Mountain in
1855 for the benefit of his health, but continued to practice
law until the beginning of the Civil War. I lis farm on the
mountain top became the site of the battle of Rich Moun-
tain and his residence was between the lines of the contending
forces. He died April 4, 1881.

Squire Bosworth Hart, son of Joseph and Susan (Pick-
ens) Hart, was born near Beverly in 1841. He enlisted in
Battery E First West Virginia Artillery and served in the
Valley of Virginia. After the close of the war he taught
school until 1867, when he was elected county superintendent
of schools, and was re-elected in 1869. In 1849 a coal mine
was opened a short distance west of the summit of the moun-
tain on the Hart farm and supplied the demand in Beverly
and vicinity until the building of the railroad up the Valley.
In 1868 Mr. Hart married Maria L. Morgan, of Upshur Coun-
ty. They had one child, wdio became the wife of Hon. Clyde
Johnson, a prominent attorney of St. Marys, this state.

William Camden Hart, son of Calvin C. Hart and Julia
Hart, was born December 19, 1868; married Marietta F. Lo-
gan, daughter of William Thomas Logan and Elizabeth F.
Logan. Children, Shirley D. Hart, Logan D. Hart, Dorothy
Julia Hart, Marion L. Hart, Sheffey B. Hart, and Calvin E.
Hart. William Camden Hart has been constable twdce and
justice of the peace of Beverly District once.

THE HAIGLER FAMILY.

The Haigler Family. Though the family name in the
male line is no longer represented in Randolph County, the
Haigler strain of blood is transmitted in several prominent
families in Randolph. The forebears of this family, Benjamin
and Jacob Haigler, were soldiers in the French and Indian
Wrar from Pendleton County. The Haigler family is of Ger-
man ancestry.

Jacob and Perry Haigler moved to Iowa in 1856. Jacob
Haigler, Sr., died April 9, 1842, aged 53 years. He died from
the effects of a burn received wdiile burning brush in a clear-
ing. Henry Clay Dean married a daughter of Jacob Haigler.

354 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

THE HAYMOND FAMILY.

The Haymond Family. Creed Haymond was born in
Beverly, Randolph County, April 22, 1836. His father was
Calder Haymond and his mother was Martha, daughter of
Ben Wilson. Calder Haymond located in Beverly in 1830
for the practice of law. When Creed Haymond was sixteen
the family moved to California. In 1859 he entered upon the
practice of law in his adopted state and rapidly rose to the
leadership of his profession. He was counsel for Leland
Stanford and prepared the papers for that gentleman's dona-
tion for the foundation of that noted institution, the Leland
Stanford University. He also became a national figure in
politics.

THE HADDAN FAMILY.

The Haddan Family. Withers in his Border Warfare,
mentions the Haddans as among the first settlers to occupy
the Valley in 1772-4. There were three brothers, John, Wil-
liam and David Haddan. They came to Randolph from New
Jersey. The Haddans located above I luttonsville in the vi-
cinity of the mouth of Elkwater, and built a fort on the farm
now owned by Forrest See. . Mary, daughter of David Had-
dan, married Edward Jackson. She was the grandmother of
General Stonewall Jackson. She was the child of the first
wife of David Hadden. For his second wife David Haddan
married Rebecca Barr. They had three children, David,
Margaret and Elizabeth. David died in youth. Margaret
became the wife of Isaac White in 1797. Elizabeth married
John Stalnaker in 1804. John Haddan was one of the justices
of the peace appointed by the Governor in the formation of
the county. He was also assessor in the same year. He was
one of the first representatives of Randolph in the Virginia
Assembly. He was captain of the militia in 1795 and major
in 1800. In 1806 he moved to Indiana. The Haddan families
moved to the west and although extinct in Randolph in the
male line, the strain of blood is represented in several promi-
nent families of the countv.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 355

THE HARMS FAMILY.

The Harris Family. Jerome B. Harris, son of Barnabus
Tunis and Rachael Marquis Harris, was born in 1836. He
married Mary Crocket. Six children were born unto them,
Lenora, Gaylord, Jerrold, Tunis. Mary and Raphael. This
branch of the Harris family is decendant of James Harris,
who was born in Bristol, England, in 1700. Imigrated to
New Jersey in 1725. He married a Miss Boylen. A son,
George Harris, was born in 1745. He married a Miss Tunis.
A son, Barnabus Harris, was born at Pulaski, Lawrence
County, Pennsylvania, in 1768. He married Ester Miller. Of
this marriage Barna C. Harris was born in 1811. Barna C.
Harris married Rachael Marquis, and unto them was born
Barna Tunis Plarris, who married Rachael Marquis. Their
son, Jerome B. Harris, was the ancestor of this branch of the
Harris family in Randolph.

Jerrold Harris, son of Jerome B. and Mary J. Harris,
was born in Pennsylvania in 1876; married Birdie McGee,
daughter of Adam and Mary A. McGee. Children, Frank,
Clarence and Edith. Mr. Harris is an employe of the Laurel
River Lumber Company, Jennington, West Virginia.

THE HORNBECK FAMILY.

The Hornbeck Family. Benjamin Hornbeck was the first
of that line to locate in Randolph. He was of Irish ancestry
and came to Randolph from Pendleton. Benjamin Hornbeck
settled on Stalnakers Run, near where White Station is now
located on the Western Maryland Railroad. The remains of
the chimney of his cabin is still visible on the farm of Obidiah
Taylor on the north bank of Stalnaker Run. His wife and
children were massacred by the Indians in 1781. His first
wife was a Miss Vanscoy. His second wife was the daughter
of William Currence, the pioneer.

Benjamin Hornbeck was born in 1754, and died Septem-
ber 6, 1827. He was buried at the old Currence graveyard
on the farm now owned by John Weese. The children of
Benjamin and Lydia (Currence) Hornbeck were Sarah, who
married Samuel Channell in 1804; Ann, who married James
Carr in 1810; Mary, Joseph, Moses, John and Elizabeth.

356 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Moses moved to Upshur County, Joseph moved to Illinois.
John remained on the patrimonial estate.

John, son of Joseph, who moved to Illinois, married Bet-
tie, daughter of William H. Currence. They had one son,
John, who now lives in Beverly.

John, son of Benjamin and Lydia ( Currence) Hornbeck.
married Margaret Stalnaker. Their children were Adam, who
married Mary, daughter of Henry Currence : Margaret, Dor-
cas and Elizabeth, who married William Miles of Greenbrier
Count}'.

Adam, son of John and Margaret ( Stalnaker) Hornbeck,
lives on the Benjamin Hornbeck homestead near Daily Sta-
tion. He had one son, William, who was justice of the peace
of Valley Bend District. He was killed by lightning in 1898.

THE ISNER FAMILY.

The Isner Family. William Isner was the first of the
name to locate in Randolph, perhaps. He lived in the Yalley
in 1775 on lands adjoining the lands of Benjamin Wilson
(See Early Land Patents in another chapter, i Thomas Isner
applied for a pension in the year 1833 on the grounds that he
was an Indian spy in the Revolution. Michael Isner entered
190 acres of land in 1789 in Tygarts Valley. Michael Isner
was a member of the first grand jury in Randolph County in
1787.

THE JACKSON FAMILY.

The Jackson Family. The first of this Jackson family
to come to America was John Jackson, who was from the
north of Ireland. Upon his arrival in America in 1748, he se-
cured emplovment on the plantation of Lord Baltimore, in
Calvert Count}-, Maryland, where he met and married Eliz-
abeth Cummins, a native of London, England, and a woman
of intelligence and great force of character. After a time,
John Jackson moved to Hardy County, thence to Randolph,
now Upshur County, where the town of Buckhannon now
stands. Eight children were born to them. Five sons, George,
Edward, Henry, Samuel -and John, and three daughters. Ed-
ward Jackson married Marv, raughter of David Haddan. who

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 357

resided in the vicinity of Elkwater ; Edward Jackson moved
to Harrison, now Lewis Comity, in about 1800. Three sons
were born to Edward and Mary Haddan Jackson, George,
David and Johnathan.

George Jackson moved to Clarksburg and his parents
made their borne with him until their death. The father died
in 1801, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. The mother died
in 1825 at the very unusual age of 105 years.

Johnathan, son of Edward and Alary Gladden) Jackson,
was an attorney of Clarksburg and married Julia Neal, of
Parkersburg. Two sons and two daughters blessed this union,
Warren and Thomas Johnathan and Elizabeth and Laura Ann.

Warren and Elizabeth died in early life. Laura Ann be-
came the wife of Johnathan Arnold, of Beverly.

Edward and John Jackson were members of the first
Comity Court of Randolph Count}', and with their associate
justices of the peace organized the count}- in 1787. Edward
Jackson was the first surveyor of .Randolph County ; was as-
sessor in 1791, and sheriff in 1792. lie was captain of the
militia in 1787. Henry Jackson was surveyor in 1793. John
Jackson was lieutenant of the militia in 1787. Edward Jack-
son moved to the West Eork about live miles below the pres-
ent town of Weston in about 1800. He died in 1827.

THE KYLE FAMILY.

The Kyle Family. This family is numerously represented
in Randolph and is of German ancestry. The name was origi-
nally spelled Keil. The Keils came to Randolph from Pen-
dleton. George and Valentine Kyle were soldiers in the
French and Indian War from Pendleton. They lived at Upper
Tract in Pendleton and moved there from Rockingham in the
early days of Pendleton when it was a part of Augusta. The
Kyles, Friends, Bogards, Harpers and Caplingers were all
decended from Pendleton County ancestors.

THE LOGAN FAMILY.

The Logan Family. This family became identified with
this county in 1823, when William and Elizabeth Logan, hus-
band and wife, located in Mingo District. They came from

358 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Rockbridge County, Virginia. William Logan erected and
operated the first grist and saw mill in that section of the
county. Mr. Logan was an elder in the Presbyterian church
and co-operated with Mathew Whitman, Dr. Squire Bos-
worth, Johnathan Hutton, Adam See, Daniel McLean and
others in organizing that denomination in Randolph. He died
in 1858 and his wife in 1831.

James H. Logan, son of William and Elizabeth (Craw-
ford) Logan, was third in order of birth of seven children,
and was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1818, and
was five years old when he came to Randolph with his par-
ents. He was educated at Washington and Lee University
and for man}- years was a school teacher in Randolph. Many
of his pupils in after life became prominent at the bar. in the
pulpit and other professions. Tn later years, he followed sur-
veying and civil engineering. While never an aspirant for
office, he was president of the board of education, member
of city council and mayor of Beverly. He was a classical
scholar and was apt at quoting the best productions of poets
and orators. His foresight was evident by obtaining large-
holdings in timber lands, which with the development of the
county made him a man of wealth. Four children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Logan, two of whom died in infancy. The
eldest, Frances Irvine, married Cyrus H. Scott. She died
August 5, 1893. Emma, the only surviving child, also became
the wife of Cyrus H. Scott.

THE LEVITT FAMILY.

The Levitt Family. Little is known of this family. With-
ers does not mention the well authenticated fact that this
family was massacred by the Indians. William Levitt entered
200 acres of land on the east side of Tygarts Valley River,
May 30, 1780. It is probable that he had occupied the land
several years prior to that time. His land was joined on the
south by the lands of John Cassedy and on the north by the
lands of Cartine White. The Indians secreted themselves
behind a cluster of bushes that surrounded the spring, which
was about one hundred yards south of the cabin. They wait-
ed for some member of the family to appear in the yard.

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 359

when the Indians fired. .Mrs. Levitt and her children wei e
killed and scalped. Mr. Levitt escaped and when he re-
turned to the scene with some neighbors, Mrs. Levitt had re
vived, tied a handkerchief about her head and made her way
to a clump of underbrush nearby where she was in hiding.
However, she survived her injuries but a few hours. The date
of the tragedy is uncertain. The land is now owned by Drs.
J. L. and Perry Bosworth.

THE LOUGH FAMILY.

The Lough Family. This family is of German ancestry
and came to Randolph from Pendleton in about 1840. The
original German name was spelled Loch. Adam Lough was
perhaps the first member of the family to come to America.
He settled on Leer Run in Pendleton in 1772 and died in 1789.
His wife's name was Barbara Conrad — perhaps. They had
seven children, Elizabeth, Catherine, Barbara, Adam, George,
John and Conrad. John married Sarah Harpole. They had
eleven children. The fifth son, Elias R. Lough, was born in
Pendleton in 1815 and died in Randolph in 1886. In 1843
he married Dorcas, daughter of George and Ruth (Morgan)
Weese. Children, Angeline, Rebecca, [ohn Vernon, Leslie J.
and George Morgan.

John Vernon Lough was born in 1850 and in 1894 mar-
ried Delila Wilson, daughter of Solomon and Abigail (Ryan)
Caplinger. They had one child, Wilson.

Geo. M. Lough, son of Elias and Dorcas (Weese) Lough,
was born in 1845. He married Louisa, daughter of Alba and
Emily (Wilmoth) Chenoweth. Children, Guv and Leslie.
Leslie, son of Geo. M. Lough, married Eva L. Grose.

THE MARTENY FAMILY.

The Marteny Family. This was one of the prominent
pioneer families of Randolph and was related by marriage to
many of the early settlers of the county. William Marteny
was born about 1770 and lived to be about 80 years of age.
His first wife was Eunice Estburn. There children were
William, Daniel, Washington, Joseph. Charles, Jane, Lucre-
tia, Deborah, Sarah, Ellen. Joseph died in Indiana, Charles

360 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

was drowned in Leading Creek in childhood. Jane married
Dr. Dolebar, Lucretia married Robert Ball, Deborah married
William Corrick, Sarah married Thomas Wilmoth, Ellen mar-
ried John Phares. William Marteny lived near the Leading-
Creek bridge, on what is now known as the Reed place. His
second wife was a Miss Earle, sister of Archibald Earle, who
was for many years clerk of the Circuit Court of Randolph
County. Peter Buckey married a sister of William Marteny.
William Marteny, the pioneer, represented Randolph County
in the Virginia Assembly for four years and was sheriff in
1830.

THE MARSTILLER FAMILY.

Nicholas Marstiller, the first representative of the Mars-
tiller family in Randolph, came from Pennsylvania. The ex-
act date is not known. The name is of German origin. The
first Nicholas was appointed master of brands and measures
in 1"98. The position was an important one at that time.
He was elected overseer of the poor in 1803 for the Second
District of Randolph. The Second District extended down
from Files Creek, including Wilmoth's settlement and the
Dry Fork. At that time overseer of the poor was practically
the only office in the county that was elective, all other offices
were appointive until the adoption of the constitution of 1852.
Nicholas Marstiller, the pioneer, owned and lived on the farm
now owned by Charles Crouch a few miles below Beverly.

John Marstiller, son of the first Nicholas, had six chil-
dren, Nicholas, William, Godfrey, John, David Blackman
and Squire Bosworth.

Nicholas, son of John and grandson of the first Nicholas
Marstiller, married Amanda, daughter of John Taylor. Chil-
dren, Charles M., Lee, John D. and Delphia B.

Charles M. Marstiller, son of Nicholas and Amanda
(Taylor) Marstiller, married Agnes, daughter of David and
Pernie (Skidmore) Gilmore. Children, O. G., Clare H., Pear-
line W. and Jeanne. The second Nicholas Marstiller was
county surveyor about forty years from 1840-80. His son, C.
M. Marstiller, was county surveyor for twelve years, deputy
sheriff twelve vears and mavor of Elkins in 1912-14.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 361

Stewart L. Marstiller, son of Page and Sarah C. (Collett)
Marstiller, married Mary Grace Ramsey. Children, Richard
J., Calmor 1\, Ina Lee and Katherine D. Marl S. died in in-
fancy. Mr. Marstiller was constable of Leadsville District
two terms, from 1904-12. Me was deputy sheriff from 1912
two terms, from 1904-12. He has been deputy sheriff from
1912 to the present time. He was elected sheriff in 1916.

THE McCOLLUM FAMILY.

The McCollum Family. The McCollums were among
the first settlers of Pocahontas County. From the best infor-
mation obtainable the first of the name in America was Daniel
McCollum, who settled in New Hampshire. He was Scotch-
Irish and a son of a physician who was a graduate of the Uni-
versity of Edinburg. The McCollum family settled near Dris-
col on Pirown's Mountain, in Pocahontas county in 1770.
They came to Virginia from New Jersey. The children of
Daniel McCollum, the pioneer, were Daniel, Jacob, William,
Rebecca, Mary and Sarah. Isaac, son of William and grand-
son of Daniel, married Margaret Thomas and moved to Ran-
dolph.

Newton B. McCollum, son of Isaac and Margaret (Thom-
as) McCollum, was born in Greenbrier County, West Vir-
ginia, 1854; married Martha J. Marteny in 1875. Children,
Clinton, Fenster, May, Ada. Children deceased, Ruth, Allie
May and Delia. Mr. McCollum is in the employ of Pugh &
Beavers Wholesale Grocery Co., at Elkins.

J. Floyd, son of \\T. H. and M. E. (Simmons) McCollum,
was born October 19, 1886, at Mill Creek; married July 2,
1911, Lena, daughter of C. C. and Sarah (Elza) Carr. Mr.
McCollum is a member of the McCollum family of Randolph
and is of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. McCollum is at present
an employe of the Laurel River Lumber Company at Jeiv
ningston.

THE MORGAN FAMILY.

The Morgan Family. Zedekiah Morgan was born in
Connecticut in 1744. He was an officer in the Revolutionary
War and came to Randolph subsequent to that period. He
was twice married. His first wife was Ruth Dart of Con-

362 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

necticut. His second wife was Rebecca Watson of Boston.
Two of his daughters married into Randolph families, Ruth,
who married George Weese and Naomi, who married Adam
Stalnaker. They were both children of his first marriage.
Zedekiah Morgan was a participant in repelling the Indian
raid in which Adam Stalnaker was killed between Elkins and
Beverly. His descendants have been influential in West Vir-
ginia.

Clark, son of J. R. and India ( Rice) Morgan, was born
in Taylor County, September 14, 1879; married Mary, daugh-
ter of John J. and Nannie (Galvin) Gallohr. Children. Mil-
dred, Velona and Geraldine. Mr. Morgan graduated from
the Grafton high school in 1889. He came to Randolph in
1909 and is general manager for West Virginia and Eastern
Telephone Company. He is a descendant of David Morgan,
the Indian fighter.

Camden J. Morgan, son of J. P. and Virginia (Morgan)
Morgan, was born in 1886, married Barbara, daughter of
Dexter and Maude (Crites) Cutright. Children, Ralph and an
infant not named. Mr. Morgan is clerk in the B. & O. Rail-
road office at Pickens. He was educated in public schools.
Mr. Morgan is of English descent and a member of the Mor-
gan family that was prominent in the Monongalia Valley in
the pioneer period. His grandfather, David Morgan, moved
to Randolph from Marion County in 1856. He is also a de-
scendant of David Morgan, the noted Indian fighter.

Hugh O.j son of Chester W. and Mary (Talbott) Mor-
gan, was born at Erench Creek. West Virginia, in 1863 ; mar-
ried Isabelle M., daughter of John (Gallman) Light. Chil-
dren, Chas. E., Troy C. John L. died aged 10 years. Mr.
Morgan moved to Randolph in 1868 and resides at Pickens.
The paternal grandfather, Joshua Morgan, moved to Ran-
dolph with the Massachusetts Colony that located in Upshur
County in about 1800. Among those who came with this
colony were the Burrhs, Philips, Goulds, Sextons and Bos-
worths. Mr. Morgan's father, C. W. Morgan, was one of the
first to settle in the section of Pickens. The nearest store and
postoffice was twenty-two miles distant for years.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 363

THE MAXWELL FAMILY.

The Maxwell Family. The Maxwell family as presently
represented in Randolph were of Scotch descent and came
from Pennsylvania to the Monongahela Valley in 1800.

Thomas Maxwell, son of Robert Maxwell, of Chester
County, Pennsylvania, married Jane Lewis, near German-
town. Their children were Abner, Levi, Lewis, Robert, Mary
and Amy. Thomas Maxwell made a journey into Western
Pennsylvania and was never heard of afterward. It is sup-
posed he was drowned. His widow and six children moved
from their home in Pennsylvania to Harrison County. Her
son Lewis was three times elected to Congress. He lived
at West Union. Rufus Maxwell, son of Levi Maxwell, was
born in 1828, died in 1907, was the first prosecuting attorney
of Tucker County. He was also a member of the Legislature
from Tucker. He married Sarah L. Bonnifield and reared a
family of six children.

Wilson B. Maxwell, son of Rufus and Sarah (Bonifield)
Maxwell, was born in 1853. He was educated in the State
University and began the practice of law at St. George in
1876. He married in 1876 Miss Carrie Lindsay. He is an
attorney of Elkins.

Mr. Maxwell's grandfather, Levi Maxwell, married Sarah
Haymond, whose mother, Mary Wilson, was the daughter
of Col. Ben. WTilson, the Randolph pioneer. This explains the
origin of the Wilson name in the Maxwell family.

Claude Wilson Maxwell was born July 28, 1877. He
graduated from the State University in 1897. He located in
Elkins in 1900. Mr. Maxwell married Miss Nell M. White,
daughter of Prof. I. C. White, of Morgantown. Children,
May M., Chas. W. and Dorothy B. Mr. Maxwell is not only
a successful lawyer and business man but finds time to in-
dulge a natural fondness for delving into the subjects of
science and phylosophy.

Earle Afaxwell, son of W. B. and Carrie (Lindsay) Max-
well, was born September 7, 1888. He was educated at the
State University. He has been associated with his father

364 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

in the practice of law for six years. He received the Demo-
cratic nomination for prosecuting attorney in the 1916
primaries.

THE McLEAN FAMILY.

The McLean Family. Two distinct and non-related Mc-
Lean families have lived in Randolph. John McLean was
killed by the Indians near Haddan's Fort when Warwick's
Company was ambushed. Abner McLean, who in 1807, mar-
ried Rhoeba Daniels was, perhaps, a member of this family.
This branch of the family spelled their mane McLain.

Daniel McLean was the first representative of the other
branch of the family to locate in Randolph. He was of Scotch-
Irish ancestry. Daniel McLean came to Randolph from An-
narundell Count}". Maryland, at a very early day. He mar-
ried a Miss Wilmoth of this county. Their children were
George, William, Joseph, John, Dawson, Hoy, Xoah, Eliza-
beth, Ann and another daughter, whose name is not remem-
bered, married Adam Westfall. Elizabeth married Daniel
Weese. Ann married William Foggy.

George McLean married a Miss Ryan. Children, Julia
Sarah, Jane, Virginia and James E.

James E. McLean studied law and although he died when
a comparatively young man. he attained prominence at the
bar. He was practicing his profession at Buckhannon when
a fatal illness brought to a close a promising career.

William McLean married a Miss Weese. Their chil-
dren were Retus, Sarah, Martha, Mary. Jacob, Elizabeth,
Minerva and Fleming

Joseph, son of Daniel, moved to Illinois. Dawson died in
infancy.

John McLean married Delila Currence, daughter of John
Currence, in 1815.

Hoy McLean was twice married. His first wife was Ra-
chael, daughter of Daniel Weese. Children, Emaline. His sec-
ond wife was Miss Elizabeth Lytic Children, Minerva, who
married Rev. W. P. Daniels; Martha, who married Dr. Thos.
L. Daniels, and Anna, who married F. M. A. Lawson.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 365

Noah McLean, son of Daniel, married Julia Meek of
Augusta County, Virginia. Children, Eliza Ann, who mar-
ried Nicholas Wilmoth, and Perry H. McLean, who moved to
Miami County, Indiana, in 1865.

Perry II. McLean, son of Noah and Julia (Meek) Mc-
Lean married Ustena Myers of his adopted state of Indiana.
Their children are Alonzo and J. F. McLean.

THE POTTS FAMILY.
The Potts Family. In the year 1847 Mathias C. Potts
bought a tract of land on the foothills of Cheat Mountain,
about three miles from Valley Head, and moved from Bath
Countv, Virginia, upon it with his family, consisting of him-
self and wife and six children, five boys and one girl ; the old-
est boy, Franklin, being about 14 years old. Mr. Potts was
at that time a very vigorous man, about 40 years old. It re-
quired much courage, rigid economy and much hard work to
clear up a farm in the wild woods and support so large a
family, but he and his wife and the older boys addressed
themselves to the task and succeeded. In a few years he had
a comfortable home and his farm stocked with horses, cat-
tle, sheep and hogs. No one in the upper end of Randolph
had more friends than he or was deserving of more. His
house being the most commodious in the community, became
a preaching place. On one occasion when the question of
character was being discussed in the "living room" in front
of a great blazing log fire, he made this remark. "I do not
expect to have very much property to leave to my children,
but I want to live so that when I am gone it will be said of
me 'he was an honest man.' ' He was for a long time justice
of the peace in his Magisterial District and his counsel was
often sought in settling difficulties between neighbors.

When the war broke out in 1861 his sympathies were
with the South and in consequence he was compelled to
leavre his home and much of his property to the mercy of
the enemy. He went as far into the interior as Bath County,
but on the way his only daughter died from sickness caused
by exposure. He remained in Bath County till the fall of
1865 when he returned to his devastated farm where he con-

366 A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY

tinued to make his home until his death which occurred in
1881 while he was on a visit to his son, Newton, in Hunting-
ton, West Virginia.

His second son, Warwick, was a very highly respected
young man, a carpenter by trade, and died in Upshur County
in the winter of 1861-2. Franklin and Newton entered the
Confederate Army in May 1861 and served with distinction
till the close of the war ; Franklin as Orderly Sergeant in
McClannihan's Battery and Newton as Lieutenant in Com-
pany G Eighteenth Virginia Cavalry, and in the fall of 1864
he was promoted to the position of Adjutant. He had five
horses shot under him during his service in the army. Gate-
wood Potts enlisted in Company G Eighteenth Virginia Reg-
iment. He was wounded and captured in Pennsylvania a few
days before the battle of Gettysburg. He was kept in prison
until the close of the war.

Hamilton Potts enlisted in the Twentieth Virginia Cav-
alry and served until the close of the war.

Franklin Potts married Miss Mary Ann Mathews. Three
children, one daughter and two sons, were born of this union.
The vouncer son, James O. Potts, is a minister in the U. B.
church.

Newton Potts married Miss Maggie Stewart of Vir-
ginia and moved to Huntington, West Virginia. He has been
a member of the city council, city clerk and police judge of
the City of Huntington.

Rev. L. Gatewood Potts married, first, Miss Jane Woods,
of Mingo, Randolph County. Of this union one child, Vernon
Brown Potts, was born. He is at present a resident of Flor-
ida. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Potts married Miss
Anna Waugh, of Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Three
children were born to this union, George, who resides in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, J. Forrest Potts, who holds a position with the
Western Maryland Railroad at Elkins, and Mrs. Maggie
Isner, who is a popular school teacher. Rev. Gatewood Potts,
while living on his farm near Elkins, is a prominent local
preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church.

Rev. Hamilton Potts was twice married. His first wife
was Miss Lizzie Logan and after her death he married Miss

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 367

Maggie Baxter. Rev. Potts was unfortunate in the death of
both of his wives and he is now living alone in Alabama. Six
children, four of whom are living, were born to them. His
eldest daughter became the wife of Mr. Joe Bartlett, of El-
kins. I lis youngest daughter, Miss Lizzie, is a school teacher.
His son, Broadus, lives in Upshur County and Bucy lives in
Clarksburg. While Rev. Potts is an ordained minister of the
Baptist church he at present fills no regular pastorate, but
preaches as a supply. He was one of the pioneer hotel men
of Elkins and the Temperance Hotel was one of the land
marks of the town.

THE PHARES FAMILY.

The Phares Family. This family is of Irish descent and
came to Randolph from Pendleton in about 1796. This fam-
ily was among the prominent pioneers of Pendleton, settling
un Hedricks Run in that county in 1781. John, Robert and
Johnson Phares were among the tithables in Pendleton in
1790. Johnson Phares was a captain of the Pendleton mili-
tia in 1793. In the organization of Pendleton in 1787, John-
son Phares was selected as one of the constables of the
county.

Robert, who married Susannah Minnis in Pendleton in
1795, was the first of the name to locate in Randolph. They
settled on Leading Creek. Their children were Benjamin,
Johnson, John, Jesse and Susan.

John Phares, son of Robert and Susan (Minnis) Phares,
married Martha Marteny. Their children were William, Ben-
jamin I. and Johnson.

Benjamin I., son of Robert and Susannah (Minnis)
Phares, was born in 1805, and married in 1834, Catherine,
daughter of Jacob Slagle. Children, Jesse F., John R., Wil-
liam S., Melissa E. George W. and Jasper W.

Johnson, son of Robert and Susannah (Minnis) Phares.
never married.

Susan, daughter of Robert and Susannah (Minnis)
Phares, married Edward Pritt.

Wm. Phares, born in 1826, died 1892, son of John and
Martha (.Marteny) Phares, married Mary E., daughter of

368 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

John B. Earle. Children, May, John T., Catherine, W. B. and
Chas. H. Catherine married Hon. W. L. Kee, for several
years a prominent attorney of Randolph.

Benjamin I., son of John and Martha ( Marteny) Phares,
was born in 1826 and married Hellen, daughter of Geo. W.
Ward. Children, Inez, Robert L., L. YV., Maria, Page, Grace,
Columbia, Tucker J. and Maud E.

Johnson W. Phares, son of John and Martha ( Marteny "i
Phares, was born in 1836; married in 1872 to Mary A., daugh-
ter of Levy D. Ward. Children, Bruce, Nettie B., Flora H.,
Charles, James Pindall, John L., Burl R., Flossie H. and Nel-
lie R.

George W. Phares, born in 1824, son of William, married
Eliza, daughter of William Wilmoth in 1848. Children, Squire
B.; William P., Hannah, Anzina, Mary Jane, Alice M., Aman-
da, Ella M., Columbia A. and Philadelphia.

Abel W. Phares, born in 1826, son of William and Anna
(Stalnaker ) Phares ; married Elizabeth, daughter of Archi-
bald and Jane (Corley) See. Children, Harriet, Angelina,
Emmeline, Patsy Jane, Archibald Wilson, Nantippe, Lucy El-
len, William R., Laura Virginia, Caroline, Augusta, Elizabeth,
Bird and Charles Bruce.

Jacob Phares, son of William, born in 1831. In 1853 he
married Jemima, daughter of William and Mary (Taylor)
Wilmoth. Children, Delia, Lydia, Anna, Leonard, Jasper N.,
Marian, Robert, Warner, Luceba, Dora and Walter.

Jasper N- Phares, son of Jacob and Jemima (Wilmoth)
Phares, born in 1861, near Elkins ; married Addie I., daughter
of Eli and Margaret (Triplett) Taylor. Children, Stroller,
May, Dora, Reta, Jemima, Arthur Clay and Ruth. Mr.
Phares has been assessor and deputv assessor of Randolph
County.

THE PEDRO FAMILY.
The Pedro Family. The Petro or Pedro family was per-
haps the only representative of the Spanish nationality among
the pioneers of Randolph. The names of Henry, Leonard
and Nicholas Petro appear in the early records of Randolph.
Nicholas Pedro was a member of the first grand jury of Ran-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 369

dolph. Thomas Ihitcher married Susan, daughter of Henry
Petro in 1807. Solomon Collett married Sarah, daughter of
Henry Petro in 1815. Leonard Petro was captured by the In-
dians, while guarding a trail that lead into the Valley, in 1777.
He was taken to Ohio and never heard from afterward. Al-
though the name is extinct in Randolph the strain of blood
is represented in several prominent families of the county.

THE PRITT FAMILY.

The Pritt Family. John Pritt was the first representative
of the Pritt family in Randolph County, lie settled in Valley
Bend District. He married a Miss Miller. Mr. Pritt came
from Bath County, Virginia, in about 1812. Their children
were John, Edward, James, William and Jane. James Pritt
married Sydney McLaughlin. Their children wrere Riley, Ed-
ward, Joseph, Cornelius, Amelia and Sallie.

Edward Pritt married Susan Phares. Their children
were Holman, John, George, Benjamin, Robert, Johnson, Mar-
tha, Naomi, Virginia and Margaret. Virginia married Sey-
mour Phares; Margaret married Jefferson Marten}-.

William Pritt, son of the first John, married llettie Wool-
wine. Children, Absalom, Washington, Sallie, Mary, Susan,
Elizabeth and Agnes. Mary married Edmond Kittle; Susan
married Seymour Stalnaker and Elizabeth married Hiram
Hill.

John Pritt, son of John the first, married Nancy Phillips.
Their children were Wirt, Pierce, John Haddan, Margaret and
Jane. Margaret married David Kelly ; Jane married Draper
Stalnaker.

Riley, son of James and Sydney (McLaughlin) Pritt,
married Katherine, daughter of Tsom Channell. Children,
Branch, Howard, Ernest, Warwick, Hellen and Hattie.

Edward Pritt, son of James and Sydney (McLaughlin)
Pritt, married Mary Jane Lloyd. Children, Charles, Bert,
Humboldt, Ford, Lora and Clem.

Joseph Pritt, son of James and Sydney (McLaughlin)
Pritt, married Margaret, daughter of Isom and Margaret
Channell. Children, Katie, Ida, Vernie and Odie.

370 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Cornelius never married and died in middle age. Sallie
married Jasper, son of Benjamin Phares. Amelia married
William Herron.

Holman Pritt married Columbia Woohvine. Children,
Bruce, Clay, Minnie and Nina.

John "Dixie" Pritt married a Miss Crickard. Children,
Thadeus, Albert, "Wade, Lenora, Ella and Anna.

Benjamin Pritt married Abbie Stalnaker, daughter of Sey-
mour and Susan Stalnaker. Children, Ruth.

Robert Pritt married Georgia, daughter of George and
Melissa (Phares) Long.

Johnson Pritt married Hannah Harper, daughter of Hen-
ry Harper. Children, Hugh, Maggie, Susan, Hope and Ed-
ward.

Absalom Pritt, son of William and Betty (Woolwine)
Pritt, married Nancy, daughter of Allison Daniels. Children,
French, Eli and George W.

Washington Pritt, son of William and Bettie (Woohvine)
Pritt, married Amelia Stalnaker, daughter of John Stalnaker.
Children, Jefferson and Laura.

Edmond Pritt, son of the first John, married Susan Ryan.
Children, George.

George, son of Edmond, married a Miss Stalnaker.
Children, Frank, Bessie, Edmond and Wayne R. Wayne Pritt
was clerk of the Circuit Court of Tucker for many years and
is now a prominent attorney of that county.

Riley Pritt was lieutenant of the county militia in 1866,
and justice of the peace and member of the County Court in
1873. He represented Valley Bend District as a member of
the board of supervisors in 1869. Holman Pritt was justice of
the peace and as such member of the County Court in 1876.
Thadeus Pritt was sheriff in 1910 and is the present clerk of
the County Court.

Guy Pritt, son of Hadden and Mary Elizabeth Pritt, was
born November 1, 1876; married Josie, daughter of John
Smith. Children, Beulah, who died aged 7 years, Mary Edith,
Roy Hadden, Bessie Marie, all living. Mr. Pritt is track fore-
man on the Valley Bend section of the Western Maryland
Railroad.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 371

THE RYAN FAMILY.

The Ryan Family. The Ryans were among the early set-
tlers of Randolph County. The first of the name to locate in
this county was Solomon. He located on a farm west of the
Valley River near Beverly.

THE RIFFLE FAMILY.

The Riffle Family. Jacob Rime settled in Randolph in
about 1772. Withers mentions the Riffles as being among the
earliest settlers of the county. They located on the stream
that still bears their name in Huttonsville District. They
were neighbors of the Crouches, Currences, the Warwicks
and the Haddans. Jacob Riffle was one of the first constables
of the county in 1787. Frank Riffle was killed by the Indians
on the same raid in which William Currence and several mem-
bers of the Kinnan family were murdered.

THE ROONEY FAMILY.

The Rooney Family. The Rooneys, Hornbecks. Dough-
erties and Buffingtons were a necleus of an early settlement on
Leading Creek. They were all of Irish descent and were per-
haps acquainted in Pendleton and Hampshire before coming
to Randolph. A man by the name of Rooney was among the
victims of the Fort Seybert massacre. Alexander Rooney
was killed in the Indian raid of 1781. He lived on Rooneys
Run near where it empties into Leading Creek on the east side
a quarter of a mile south of Gilman station.

THE ROWAN FAMILY.

The Rowan Family. The Rowan family is of Irish an-
cestry. Rev. John Rowan was the first of the name to locate
in Randolph. He was born in Maryland, April 12, 1749. He
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was wounded by
being trampled upon by the British Cavalry at the battle of
Brandy wine, and bore the impress of a horse shoe upon his
body to the time of his death. Subsequent to the Revolution
he married Elizabeth Howard of Anne Rundell County, Alary-
land. On April 12, 1809, he located one and one-half miles
north of Beverlv and lived there about three years. He then

372 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

moved to Roaring Creek and located on 300 acres of land
which he had purchased where the town of Coalton is now
located. He lived there about ten years and lost his land in
a law suit with Daniel Stringer. He then returned to the Val-
ley and taught school and preached until the infirmities of
age compelled him to abandon his labors. His death occurred
at Beverly, December 29, 1833. His wife survived him about
ten years, dying February 19, 1844. Their children were John.
Thomas, Joseph Francis, William, Nancy, Elizabeth, Bathanv
and Labannah. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church and officiated at many weddings in the pioneer period.
William Rowan, son of John and Elizabeth ( Howard I
Rowan, was born August 17, 1804, and married Anna, daugh-
ter of John S. and Anna Goff, in what is now Barbour County.
April 10, 1827. Their children were John Addison, George W.,
David B., Eli H. and Adam C. -Mr. Rowan was constable and
deputy sheriff for more than thirty years. His wife, Anna
Goff, was born September 2, 1804, and lived to be 94 vears of
age. She had living at the time of her death three great great
grandchildren. George W. Rowan moved to Bath County,
Virginia.

John Addison Rowan, born in 1828, is still living on Roar-
ing Creek. In 1832 he married Ellen, daughter of John and
Ellen (Skidmore) Chenoweth. Children, Burns, William, Eli
C, Kent. Eee, Delphia. Martha. Viarv. Thomas. Peg-ow and
Ida.

THE STRADER FAMILY.

The Strader Family. Lorenzo Dow Strader, for many
years one of the leaders of the Randolph County bar. was born
in Upshur County, November 13, 1839. He came to Randolph
in 1869 and opened a law office in the town of Beverlv. In
1871 he married Maria S., daughter of Judson and Philadel-
phia (Reese) Blackman. Before studying law Mr. Strader
was a soldier in the Federal Army, belonging to Companv
E First West Virginia Cavalry and was a participant in the
battle of Rich Mountain as well as many other important en-
gagements of the war.

The Strader family came from Holland at an early pe-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 373

riod in the history of America. They first settled in New
Jersey, later moving to the South Branch. John Strader, the
paternal grandfather of L. 1). Strader, moved to Upshur
County from the South Branch, settling near the mouth of
Little Sand Run.

Valentine Strader, son of John and father of L. D. Stra-
der, was born in 1818 and married Mary Jackson, daughter of
Edward H. Jackson. Edward Jackson, who was the grand-
father of Stonewall Jackson, was the uncle of Edward H.
Jackson. L. D. Strader died at Beverly, January 10, 1905.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Strader were born Judson Floyd.,
Wilbur J., Philadelphia R., Mary Dow and Helen 11.

Judson Floyd Strader is a member of the law firm of
Strader & Tallman. He was educated at State University
and at Wesleyan College at Buckhannon. He represented
Randolph in the Legislature in 1907-8 and is at present chair-
man of the Democratic Executive Committee of Randolph
County. He was born September 13, 1872.

Wilbur Jackson Strader was born at Beverly, December
2, 1879. He was educated at the Wesleyan College at Buck-
hannon and at the State University.

THE STALNAKEK FAMILY.

The Stalnaker Family. Jacob was the first of the name to
locate in Randolph. Withers mentions him in connection with
the Haddans, the Connellys, the Whitmans, the Warwicks,
the Nelsons, the Riffles and Westfalls as being the first occu-
pants of the Valley after the murder of the Files family. The
Stalnaker came to America from Holland. They were pion-
eers of Greenbrier, Augusta and Rockingham before coming to
Randolph. Jacob Stalnaker's children were John, Adam, An-
drew, Jacob, Eunice and three daughters whose names are
not remembered.

Adam Cooper Stalnaker, born in 1832, son of George W.
and Elizabeth (Piercy) Stalnaker; married Drusilla, daughter
of William and Elizabeth (Yokum) Isner. They had one child,
Wilbur Lee. Mr. Stalnaker died in 1914. He was the grand-
son of John W. and Mary (Chenoweth) Stalnaker and the
great grandson of John and the great great grandson of John,

374 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

who was killed by the Indians. John \Y. Stalnaker, grand-
father of Adam C, was born May 19, 1783. Mr. Stalnaker was
a Conferedate soldier, participating in many of the hard
fought battles. He lived on a farm near Elkins and owned
property that became valuable because of its proximity to
Elkins. He was an intelligent and upright citizen.

Leonidas Stalnaker, son of Ximrod G. and Mildred
(Thorne) Stalnaker, was born in 1866 ; married Icy, daughter
of R. C. and Delilah (Canfield) Moore. One child. Opal, has
been born to this union. Mr. Stalnaker is a member of the
pioneer family of Stalnakers in Randolph. His grandfather,
Edward Stalnaker, at one time owned the old Hart mill, east
of Beverly, built by one of the first settlers, a YVestfall.

Thomas W., son of Alba and Rebecca (Mouse) Stal-
naker, was born in 1869 ; married Marietta, daughter of John-
son and Mary (Hinkle) Phares. Children, Grace, Thomas W.
Jr., Mary Rebecca. Squire Stalnaker was educated in the pub-
lic schools. He has served three terms as justice of the peace
of Leadville District, being elected in 1900, 1904 and 1908. He
is a descendant of the pioneer family of Stalnakers. His paren-
tal grandfather was Asbury and great grandfather was Isaac.

Wilbur L. Stalnaker, son of Adam C. and Drusella (Isner)
Stalnaker, born June 18, 1870, was educated in the public
schools and for a number of years engaged in teaching. He
graduated in pharmacy from the Ohio Xormal University in
1898, since which time he has conducted a drug store in the
city of Elkins. He was a member of the Elkins city council in
1910. Mr. Stalnaker married in 1898, Ota, daughter of Ran-
dolph and Ida (Caplinger) Harper. Children. Alva. Winnie,
Camille and Harold.

THE SIMMONS FAMILY.

The Simmons Family. This family is of German origin
and came to Randolph from Pendleton. The name was orig-
inally spelled Sieman. The Simmons family came to Ran-
dolph subsequent to the war of 1812. Leonard Simmons lo-
cated on the South Fork in Pendleton in 1763. The Simmons
familv is very numerous in Pendleton.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 375

Josiah Simmons represented Randolph in the first West
Virginia constitutional convention, which assembled at Wheel-
ing, November 26, 1861, and adjourned February 18, 1862.
He was a farmer and resided at Leadsville.

THE SNYDER FAMILY.

The Snyder Family. Two distinct families of this name
have lived in Randolph since 1845. Harmon Snyder moved
from Highland County, Virginia, to Randoph in 1845. He
located in Mingo District. Mr. Snyder was born in Highland
County in 1821 and in 1865 married Elizabeth (Teter) Law-
son. Children, John 1'.., Elizabeth, Mary C, Harmon E., Mar-
tha W., Blaine R., George W., William L, and James. Har-
mon Snvder was justice of the peace of Mingo District for
many years. He also served as president of the Board of Ed-
ucation of that district. In 1884 he represented Randolph and
Tucker in the state Legislature. The greatest elevation in
Randolph, Snyders Knob, was named for him. It is located in
Mingo District on the Snyder homestead.

William I.., son of Harmon and Melvina (Dawson) Sny-
der, was born in 1881 in Mingo District; married Mamie,
daughter of Arthur and Alice (Daft) Male. Children, Verl and
Vernon. Mr. Snyder was educated in public schools and at
Wesleyan University, Valpariso University and at Mountain
State Business College. Mr. Snyder taught in the public
schools of the county six years and at present is clerk in the
Couthap store at Huttonsville. Mr. Snyder is the nominee of
the Republican party for the House of Delegates from Ran-
dolph in the approaching election.

Another branch of the Snyder family settled on the Dry
Fork in Randolph County in about 1800. Snyder is a German
name and was originally spelled Schneider. John Snyder,
whose father was also named John, moved from the South
Branch to Randolph. He married Lucinda Hensley of Al-
bemarle County, Virginia. Children, Elizabeth, Sampson,
Mary Jane, George W., Henry, Pheoba, Lorenzo Dow and
Hannah. During the Civil War he was prominently identi-
fied with the Lmion cause and was a member of the Independ-
ent Scouts and had many thrilling experiences /end hair

376 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

breadth escapes. At one time he was thought to be mortally
wounded but recovered.

Capt. Sampson Snyder, son of John and Lucinda (Hensel)
Snyder, was captain of a company of Independent Scouts dur-
ing the Civil War. When the company disbanded at the
close of the war it was composed of the following persons:
Captain, Sampson Snyder; First Sergeant, John W. Summer-
field; Second Sergeant, Geo. W. Snyder; corporals, Jesse
Keller, John Middleton, Jesse Harmon and Joseph Roy ; pri-
vates, Geo. Arbogast, Daniel Bennet, Geo. Bishop, John S. Dar-
nall, Absalom Echard, Henry Echard, Geo. Jennings, Chas.
Gray, Samuel Harmon, Joseph Harmon, William Helmick,
John W. Harper, Mathias Helmick, H. D. Jordan, Xoah Jor-
dan, Philip Keller, John Keller, John W. Long, Samuel Long,
Absalom Mick, Elijah Xezelrod, Jesse Penington, John P.
Roy, Isaac Roy, Solomon Roy, Henry Snyder, John Snyder.
Benjamin Snyder, Laban Smith, Isaac Smith, Alfred Stal-
naker, Adam Wolf, Geo. Wolf, Geo. L. Rimer, Mathew Col-
lins and Solomon Hoffman.

THE SMITH FAMILY.

The Smith Family. Johnathan Smith came to Randolph
soon after the first permanent settlement, the exact date is un-
certain. He married Jane, daughter of William Currence.
Their children were William, Jane, Lydia, Samuel Currence
and John. Johnathan Smith lived to be 99 years old.

William, son of Jonathan and Jane (Currence) Smith,
married Ester, daughter of Joseph Pitman. He was born in
1777 and died in 1852. Their children were Jane, who married
Bennoni Lazure : Samuel, who married Katie Mace: Xancy,
who married Jacob Wilmoth : Judy, who married Ferdinand
Mace; Christina, who married John Smith: Elizabeth and
Mary who died young.

William, son of John and Mary Smith, had four children.
John, who settled in Randolph, was born in 1755, and died in
1831. He married Mary Pugh. '

John D. Smith, son of Ambrose and Mary (Bland) Smith,
was born in Pendleton in 1887; married Mary, daughter of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 377

Marian Sponaugle. Children, Virginia and Levince. Mr.
Smith is a merchant at Whitner.

THE SKIDMORE FAMILY.

The Skidmore Family. The Skidmores were pioneers in
Pendleton as well as Randolph. James and Joseph Skidmore
were in the French and Indian War from Pendleton. John
Skidmore was president of the first County Court of Pendleton
in 1787. Joseph Skidmore was a member of the first grand
jury of Pendleton. James, John. Joseph and Andrewr Skid-
more were, perhaps, brothers and sons of Andrew Skidmore,
who emigrated from England to Xorfolk, Virginia, at an early
period. John Skidmore was a captain under General Andrew
Lewis at Point Pleasant, and Andrew, his brother was a pri-
vate in his company and both were wounded. Andrew settled
in Randolph a few miles north of the present city of Elkins.
He undertook to construct a mill race by digging a ditch
across the narrow neck l)etween the two channels of the river
about two miles below Elkins, but finding the fall insufficient
he abandoned the enterprise. He died at Sutton, Braxton
County in 1826.

John Skidmore mentioned above was born in 1725. An-
drew Skidmore was born in 1750. John Skidmore married
Polly Hinkle, in Pendleton. The children of John Skidmore
were John, who died on Holly River in Braxton County; Ed-
die, who married Canfield ; Polly, who married George Bickle ;
Mahala, who married Edward Robinson ; Edith, who married
John Chenoweth, and Phoeba, who married Alexander Taylor.

After the Revolution, old soldiers would meet at Circuit
Courts, general musters and other public gatherings. On
these occasions incidents of their soldier lives were rehearsed.
Tradition says that at these reunions of former soldier com-
rades, Andrew Friend was wont to tell an incident of the Bat-
tle of Point Pleasant. During this battle some of the soldiers
resorted to a hollow log for shelter. Andrew Skidmore and
Andrew Friend and others had taken refuge in the log and
it was becoming crowded. As Andrew Skidmore pointed to
another log near by as a possible place of retreat, an Indian
shot off his finger.

378 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Andrew Skidmore married Margaret Johnson of Ran-
dolph, and settled on Tygarts Valley River, where he entered
400 acres of land on November 24, 1777. His brother, Joseph,
entered 350 acres adjoining. Margaret Johnson was a daugh-
ter of Andrew Johnson and was the grandmother of President
Johnson. She had six brothers, John, Charles, Robert, Oliver,
Jacob and Levi. Jacob moved to Raleigh, North Carolina,
and married a Miss McDonald. Jacob died in 1812, leaving
one son, Andrew, four years old. He was born and reared in
poverty and his wife learned him to read while he was an ap-
prentice to a tailor. He moved to Greenville, Tennessee, and
worked at his trade as a tailor. He entered politics in 1828,
and ascended the political ladder as member of the Legisla-
ture, Congressman, Governor of Tennessee, United States
Senator and Vice President, succeeding to the presidency
upon the assassination of President Lincoln.

The Skidmores intermarried with the Chenoweths, John-
sons, Coberlies, Kittles, Hinkles and Scotts. Rachael, daugh-
ter of Andrew and Margaret Johnson Skidmore. was the moth-
er of the Scott family of Randolph. The father. John K.
Scott, weighed 225 and the mother 208 pounds. The weight
of the sons were Jefferson, 240: Charles, 275: Hugh, 250:
James S., 258; Olover J., 276; Winfield, 225; John J., 276 and
Edwin 340.

Garfield I., son of D. E. and Martha A". (Corley) Skid-
more, was born in Roaring Creek District in 1880; married
Mary, daughter of James and Mary Brady. Children, Joseph.
Leona and Margre. Mr. Skidmore was educated in public
school. He is prominent in politics and is the nomineee of
the Democratic party for justice of peace in Leadsville Dis-
trict. He is a member of the pioneer family of Skidmores of
Randolph.

THE SEE FAMILY.

The See Family. Adam and Michael Frederick See were
the first of the name to come to America. In 1734 they came
to this country to escape religious persecution. They belong-
ed to the Baptist sect and fled from Prussian Silessia with the
colony of Schwenkfelders and first settled in Bucks County.
Pennsylvania. The persecution under which they fled is de-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 379

scribed in the ninth edition of the encyclopedia Britanica un-
der the title of Schwenkfeld. Adam See's wife's was Barbara
and Michael Frederick See's wife's name was Catherine. In
1745 they moved to Hardy County. In 1760 Michael Freder-
ick See moved to Greenbrier County and was killed by the In-
dians, July 17, 1764. His wife and four children were carried
by the Indians to Old Town, now Chilicothe, Ohio. They
were all restored to their people after the treaty of peace at
the close of the French and Indian War of 1765, except John
See, a child seven years old, who eluded his relatives and re-
turned to an Indian family, which had adopted him, but was
ransomed by his uncle, Adam See, some years later. He
became a soldier in the Revolution and was wounded at the
battle of Brandywine. He died at Peoria, 111., in 1845, aged
90 vears. The first Adam See had one son, George, and sev-
eral daughters. In about 1767 George See married Jemima
Harness of Flardy County. He had a family of nine children,
Adam, Michael, George, Charles and John ; daughters, Bar-
bara, Hannah, Elizabeth and Dorothy. Michael See married
Catherine Baker and raised a family of nine children, Adam,
Anthony, Jacob, John, Solomon and Noah, and daughters,
Mary, Elizabeth and Barbara. George See and son Charles
were killed by lightning while stacking hay in 1794. Adam
and Michael moved to Randolph in 1795. The second Noah
See was born September 19, 1815, and was educated at Bev-
erly. He moved to Missouri in 1837, and was soon fol-
lowed by his father, mother and three brother and two sisters.

This family is of German descent and immigrated to
Pennsylvania in the colonial period. Frederick Michael See
was, perhaps, the first of the See family to come to America.
His son, Michael See, was the first of the name to locate in
Randolph. The Sees were pioneers in that part of Hampshire
County that is now embraced in the territory of Hardy Coun-
ty. Sees Run is an historic stream in Hardy County.

The children of Michael See were Anthony, Adam,
George, John, Noah and Barbara. Anthony married Julia
Leonard, Adam married Margaret Warwick, Barbary married
Wm. McLeary, the first prosecuting attorney of Randolph
County ; John married a Miss Stewart.

380 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Adam See, son of Michael, married Margaret Warwick.
Their children were George, Jacob, Warwick, Charles C,
Eliza, Dolly, Christina, Mary, Rachael, Hannah and Margaret.

Chas. C. See, son of Adam and Margaret (Warwick) See,
married Harriet, daughter of Dr. Squire Bosworth.

Jacob, son of Adam and Margaret (Warwick) See, mar-
ried a daughter of Rev. Geo. A. Baxter.

Dolly, daughter of Adam C. and Margaret (Warwick)
See, married Hon. John A. Hutton.

Christina, daughter of Adam C. and Margaret (Warwick)
See, married Washington W'ard.

Hannah, daughter of Adam and Margaret (Warwick)
See, married Henry Harper.

Margaret, daughter of Adam C. and Margaret (War-
wick) See, married Hon. Washington Long.

Rev. C. S. M. See, son of Jacob See, married Rebecca,
daughter of Dr. Squire Bosworth.

Rachel, daughter of Adam C. and Margaret (Warwick)
See, married Hon. Paul McNeil.

George See, son of Adam C and Margaret (Warwick)

See, married - Children, Adam,

who married Dolly Crouch, Georgiana, who married Captain
W. Marshall.

George See, son of Michael, the pioneer, disposed of his
farm of 383 acres in Hampshire County in 1785 and purchased
218 acres on the west side of the Tygarts Valley River, in the
Caplinger settlement, in 1787.

Adam C. See, son of George, was admitted to the bar of
Randolph County in 1793, and was prosecuting attorney of
the county in 1798. He was captain of the county militia in
1800.

•Lee Rov See, son of Randolph and Sarah E. (Hall) See,
was born in French Creek, Upshur County, in 1873. Mr.
See was educated in the public schools, Wesleyan College and
State University. He was the Democratic nominee for sher-
iff of Upshur County in 1896; represented the same party as
their candidate for prosecuting attorney in 1904. He was also
the Democratic nominee for state Senate in the Thirteenth
District in 1906. Although more than carrying- his party

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 381

strength in each of these contests, he was defeated by the
greatly superior vote of the opposing party. He occupied the
bench as special judge in Randolph Circuit Court in 1916.

THE SCHOONOVER FAMILY.

The Schoonover Family. This pioneer family is of Ger-
man ancestry, Benjamin Schoonover was born in Connecticut
in 1755 and settled at the mouth of Horse Shoe Run in Ran-
dolph, now Tucker County. A few years later he moved to
Shavers Fork. His children were Joseph, David, Henry, Dan-
iel and Amy. David married Susan, daughter of Thomas Wil-
moth ; Henry married Mary, daughter of David Canfield.

Joseph Schoonover married Anna, daughter of Nicholas
Marstiller. Children, Marshall, Eli, Assyrian, Charles, Leo-
nard, Anna, Etna and Fredricka.

Thomas Schooner, son of David and grandson of Benja-
min, married Bashaba, daughter of Dr. Thomas C. Nutter of
Barbour County.

Coleman J. Schoonover, born in 1839, son of Thomas and
Bashaba (Nutter) Schoonover, married in 1865 Susan, daugh-
ter of James R. and Mahala Parsons. After her death he mar-
ried in 1870 Rachel E., daughter of Henry V. and Margaret
(Wilmoth) Bowman. Children, Carl W., Harriet E., James
T., Lillian Adaline, A. Ward, Sampson E. and Leslie Clare.

Eli, son of Joseph and Anna (Marstiller) Schoonover,
Currence. Children, Holman, William, Mary, John, Thomas
married Julia Stemple. Children, John IL, Sarah, Anzina and
Leda B.

John Schoonover, son of Eli and Anna (Marstiller)
Schoonover, married Sydney, daughter of John Weese. Chil-
dren, Lucetta, Violet, Lovett, Summaville, Lorena and
Willis R..

THE SCOTT FAMILY.
The Scott Family. John and Mary Scott, of Irish descent,
lived in that part of Hampshire County now embraced in
Hardy County, prior to the Revolutionary War. Their son,
Benjamin T. Scott, was born in 1788. He came to Randolph
and married Jane, daughter of William and Mary (Ward)

382 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

B. and Catherine. William married Susan Channell, Holman
married a Miss Parsons.

Thomas B. Scott was born near Huttonsville in 1823. He
married Mary Ann, daughter of Moses and Mary (Haigler)
Hutton. His second marriage in 1866 was to Martha, daugh-
ter of Elias Wilmoth, and his third marriage was in 1875 to
Rebecca, widow of Solomon Hull Parsons. Children of Thom-
as B. and Mary (Hutton) Scott, Felix S., Lucy E., Cyrus Hall,
Virginia, Annie, George Clinton, Clyde and Evaline C. Thos.
B. Scott was justice of the peace in 1856 and was also presi-
dent of the County Court.

Cyrus Hall Scott was born in 1856. He was educated in
the public schools and graduated from the Fairmont Normal
in 1877 and from Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia, in 1877.
He was admitted to practice law in 1879 and was elected prose-
cuting attorney in 1880. He was elected to the state Senate
from the Tenth District in 1892. Senator Scott has been twice
married. His wives were sisters and the daughters of James
H. Logan. His daughter Edna (Logan) Scott became the
wife of Hon. H. G. Kump. Two children, Mildred and Logan,
the issue of his marriage to Emma (Logan) Scott, remain at
home.

THE TRIPLETT FAMILY.

The Triplett Family. The Triplett family came from
England and was among the settlers of Jamestown. John
Triplett, the first in Randolph County, was born in Baltimore,
Maryland, August 28, 1778. He came to Virginia when a boy
eighteen or nineteen years old, having run away from his mas-
ter, a tanner to whom he was bound. He was married young
to a Miss Kittle, who seems to have been of a different family
from Abraham Kittle. To them were born fourteen children,
two of whom died in infancy. Of those who lived to manhood
and womanhood, Ephrain, Jacob, Moses and Job spent their
lives and reared families in Randolph County. William and
Loami settled in Kanawha County, where they spent their
lives. Eli and James went to Missouri after marrying in
Randolph, Eli to Margaret Hart, a daughter of James Hart,
and fames to Deborah Harris, a daughter of Henry Harris, of

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 383

Leading Creek. Ann was the wife of Archibald Ferguson, and
Mary, the wife of Solomon Ferguson. Eunice was the wife
of Isaac Taylor.

In April, 1829, after the death of the first wife, John Trip-
lett and Xancy Kittle were married. She was a Bennett, and
came from Fauquier County, and was born in 1798. Her first
husband was the brother of his first wife. Her son by the
first marriage was Maj. Ben Kittle, and a daughter was the
mother of Lloyd and Hamilton Ismer. To this union were
born Martha, who married Amasa Kittle, Rachael, who mar-
ried Arnold Wilmoth, Harriet, who married William Fergu-
son, (John J. Ferguson is the only living child) ; John J., who
went to Montana when the trouble between the North and
South came up and died there in the eighties ; Randolph Trip-
lett, born August 28, 1837; Hickman, who went to Nebraska
about twenty-five years ago and now lives in British Colum-
bia ; and Anthony, who lives near Grafton in Taylor County.

Jasper and Owen Triplett were sons of Job. Elijah Trip-
lett was the son of Jacob, and the sons of Ephriam were Mil-
ton and David.

Floyd J. Triplett, son of Randolph and Sarah (Kittle)
Triplett, wras born in 1863. He married Ella May, daughter
of Archibald and Caroline (Taylor) Wilmoth. Children, Eva
Belle, Samuel, Lucebia Maria, Sallie and Clare. Mr. Triplett
has been editor of the Randolph Enterprise and Tygarts Val-
ley News, and was county clerk in 1891-7. He is now editor
of the Plymouth, N. C, Independent.

Jasper W. Triplett, son of Job and Sydney (Wilmoth)
Triplett, was born in 1842 and died in 1914. He married Eliza
Chenoweth. Children, Wade H., George and Delphia, who
married Rev. Wm. Flint. Wade married Louie Lambert.
Children, Delphia, Mary, Hellen, Preston and Revely. Gray-
don died in infancy. Jasper Triplett was assessor of Randolph
twelve years.

THE TALLMAN FAMILY.

The Tallman Family. In the veins of this family flows
the blood of the old pioneer and hero, Daniel Boone, of Ken-
tucky, Boone Tallman having married Mary Logan, a sister

384 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

of the late James H. Logan of Randolph County, and lie-
come the father of Robert L. Tallman, who was a farmer and
surveyor of Barbour County, West Virginia. The latter mar-
ried Harriet L. Blake, daughter of Herod and Elizabeth Blake,
of which union there were born Floyd Ellis Tallman and four
other children.

Floyd Ellis Tallman, son of Robert L. and Harriet
(Blake) Tallman, residents of Barbour County, West Vir-
ginia, was born March 9, 1882, in Barbour County, West Vir-
ginia. He spent his early years on the farm, during which
time he attended the rural schools until the year 1900, when
he became a teacher in the public schools of his native county,
and during the years 1900-1905 he was a teacher in the rural
schools of Barbour County and a student of W'esleyan Col-
lege at Buckhannon, West Virginia, from which institution
he graduated in the year 1905. In the fall of 1905 he entered
the college of law of the West Virginia University, where he
continued for the school year of 1905-1906. In September
1906, he was married to Bess Lillian Talbott, daughter of
George E. and Ellen E. Talbott of Barbour County. During
the winter of 1906-7 he taught in the public schools of Bar-
bour County. In the fall of 1907 Mr. and Mrs. Tallman
moved to Elkins, Randolph County, where they have since
resided. Mr. Tallman held the position of principal of the
grammar school of the city of Elkins for the years 1907-8
and 1908-9, returning to the West Virginia University in the
fall of 1909, where he again resumed his law studies, com-
pleting his course in the spring of 1910. He was admitted to
practice law in Randolph County in November, 1910, and
soon thereafter entered into partnership with the Hon. J. F.
Strader under the firm name of Strader & Tallman, and has
remained in the active practice of his profession since. In
August, 1911, lie was appointed commissioner in chancery of
the circuit court of Randolph County, a position which he
still holds, and in 1912 he was elected as a member of the
Elkins city council from the Second ward, having been the
candidate of the two leading parties. He is also a member
of the Republican party.

Mr. Tallman is a member of Delta Chapter of the Phi

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 385

Sigma Kappa college fraternity at M'organtown, West Vir-
ginia; a member of Elkins Chapter Royal Arcanum, and a
member of the Masonic Blue Lodge and Chapter at Elkins,
West Virginia. Mis wife, Bess Lillian (Talbott) Tallman
graduated from \\ esleyan College at Buckhannon in the year
1904 in the literary and elocution courses, and is very active
in the Methodist Episcopal church and its societies. Mr. and
Mrs. Tallman have two daughters, Lucille and Mary Louise.
Their home is at 220 Boundary Avenue.

THE TAYLOR FAMILY.

The Taylor Family. The progenitor of the Taylor family
in Randolph was Isaac, who moved to the South Branch from
Kentucky in about 1800, and thence to this county. He mar-
ried Elizabeth Hays of Hardy. Children, John, Washington,
Loll}-, Jemima, Elizabeth, Sarah, Caroline, Susannah, Nim-
rod, James and Isaac.

John married Susannah, daughter of Levi Coberly. Their
children were, Alfred, Amanda, Allen, Felix, Andrew, \Ym.
LL, who died while in the Confederate service during the Civil
War, Elam B., and Percy. Washington married Melvina
Chenoweth, Polly married William Wilmoth, Jemima mar-
ried Samuel Wilmoth, Elizabeth married Edwin Stalna-
ker, Sarah married Hamilton Skidmore, Caroline married
Archibald Wilmoth, Susannah married Samuel Channel, Nim-
rod married Margaret Coberly, James married Deborah Skid-
more, Isaac married a Miss Triplett, Rebecca never married.

Andrew, son of John and Susannah Taylor, was born in
1835. In 1858 he married Louise Dyer daughter of Jacob
and Elizabeth (Dyer) Ward. Mrs. Taylor's grandfather,
James Dyer, was at the Port Seybert massacre in Pendleton
and was captured by the Indians. He remained in captivity
three years when he made his escape and returned to his peo-
ple. He was fourteen years old at the time of the massacre
and capture. James and Nancy (Hall) Dyer had but one
child, who married Jacob Ward. The children of Andrew
and Louise (Dyer) Ward were Blain W\, Annie Laurie, Ida
B. and Cretta V.

386 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Ida 8. married J. G. Nestor, Gretta V. married W. L.
Wilhide.

The children of John and Susannah Coberly Taylor were
Alfred, Amanda, Allen, Felix, Andrew, YYm. H., Elam B. and
Perry.

Ximrod Taylor, born 1815, son of the first Isaac, married
1834 Margaret, daughter of Levi Coberly. Children, Martha,
Washington Kiner, Lucinda, Phoeba M., Hamilton S., John
Columbus, James Monroe, Columbia Jane, Isaac Louis and
Margaret E.

Allen Taylor, born 1831, son of John and Susannah (Co-
berly) Taylor, married first, Elizabeth Ward, and after her
death Eltha, daughter of John K. and Sarah Chenoweth. Chil-
dren, Louisa, Elizabeth. Rebecca, Florida and William C.

Hamilton S. Taylor, son of Ximrod and the grandson of
the first Isaac, was born in 1844. He married in 1866, Eliza-
beth M. Vanscoy. Children, William C, Dorsey F., Lacey
M. and Lucy B.

Felix Taylor, son of John and Susannah (Coberly) Tay-
lor, was born in 1833, married in 1859 to Lucinda, daughter of
Ximrod Taylor. Children, Shertey. William Haymnnd and
Emma Harriet.

Washington Corner Taylor, born in 1838, died in 1896,
son of Ximrod and Margaret ( Coberly ) Taylor : married in
1861 Jane, daughter of Elijah Nelson. Children, Elam, Sam-
uel Lee, Ximrod, Lizzie, French, Alice. Delphia. Maud and
Ella.

Elam E. Taylor, born in 1862, married in 1885 to Lydia
Ann, daughter of Levi and Mary (Canfield) Coberly. One
child, Marvin Lucius, who is a civil engineer in the govern-
ment service.

Isaac, son of the first Isaac Taylor, married a Miss Trip-
lets Children, Judson, Levi, Eli and Elizabeth, who married
Jesse Coberly.

John, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Hays) Taylor, was a
prominent man in Randolph. He represented Randolph in
the Virginia Assembly two terms and was a member of the
West Virginia Legislature also two terms.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 387

Blain Ward Taylor, son of Andrew and L lise Dyer
(Ward) Taylor, was educated in the public schools and the
Fairmont Normal school, where he graduated in 1886. He
taught in the public schools of the county a number of terms,
teaching his first school when 14 years old. He served two
terms as superintendent of schools of Randolph. He served
two terms as committee clerk in the West Virginia Legisla-
ture. In 1882 he was appointed to revalue the lands in the
second assessment district of Randolph County. During Gov-
ernor Fleming's administration he was chief clerk in the De-
partment of State. In 1885 he was mail clerk on the B. & O.
between Grafton and Baltimore, which position he held until

1888. In 1894 he was appointed chief clerk in the Dead Letter
Office in Washington. In 1895 he was promoted to the po-
sition of superintendent of the division of postoffice supplies.
In 1897 he was again promoted to chief clerk in the postoffice
department, which position he held for eight years, resigning
to assume the management of part of the state of West Vir-
ginia for the campaign of Parker and Davis for President and
Vice President. Mr. Taylor was secretary of the Second Dis-
trict Democratic congressional committee during the cam-
paign of Col. Thomas B. Davis. Mr. Taylor has been engaged
in the practice of law in Elkins for the past ten years.

Mr. Blain W. Taylor was united in marriage February 13,

1889, to May (Paxton) Jackson, daughter of Col. Alfred H.
Jackson of Weston, West Virginia. Col. Jackson was Lieu-
tenant Colonel of the Thirty-first Virginia Regiment under
Stonewall Jackson, and was killed at the battle of Slaughter
Mountain. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have the following children :
Mary Louise, Elizabeth Jackson, Beatrice Washington, May
Jackson, Jean Stuart died aged 3 years, and Beatrice Washing-
ton died aged 16 years.

Children of Washington and Melvina (Chenoweth) Tay-
lor were David B., who married Mary Ward, daughter of the
second Jacob Ward ; Hayes, who married Mary Yoke. Of
this union was born Francis M. Taylor, who was the father
of Howard, a merchant of Elkins.

Louise, daughter of Washington and Melvina (Cheno-
weth) Tavlor, married Oliver Wilmoth.

388 A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY

Emaline, daughter of Washington and Melvina (Cheno-
weth) Taylor, married Hyre Stalnaker, who were the parents
of Rufus Stalnaker of Elkins.

Mary, daughter of Washington and Melvina (Chenoweth)
Taylor, married Isaac Stalnaker.

Blake, son of O. W. and Virginia (Wamsley) Taylor, was
born June 2, 1879. He was educated in the public schools and
Fairmont Normal where he graduated in 1893. After teaching
a few years he entered the West Virginia University where
he graduated in the department of civil engineering. He was
for three years city engineer of Elkins and spent one year in
Central Kentucky in the engineering department of railroad
construction. For a number of years he has been engaged in
highway work as a profession and is now engaged in per-
manent road improvement in Wyoming County. He married
Stella, daughter of Dr. A. S. and Julia (Davis) Bosworth.
Mr. Taylor is the grandson of Washington and the great
grandson of the first Isaac Taylor. Mrs. Stella (Bosworth)
Taylor is a graduate and post graduate of Emerson College
of Oratory, Boston, and has taught in Glenville Normal school,
Randolph Macon, Danville, Virginia, and two years in Great
Falls, Montana, high school.

Captain W. H. Taylor of the Eighteenth Virginia Caval-
ry was killed in the battle of Winchester. His brother, Elan!
B. Taylor, first lieutenant, was severely wounded in the same
engagement. The command of the company then fell upon
the Second Lieutenant, Job Parsons. Captain Taylor is spok-
en of by his comrades as having been a brave soldier and much
above the average in military ability.

Sheffey, son of Felix and Lucinda Taylor, was born in
1860. In 1883 he married Mary Ellen, daughter of Job and
Martha (Chenoweth) Daniels. Children, Earle, O'Ferrell,
Delia, Wesley, Odbert, Haymond. Mary Jackson, Opal Mamie
and Marion Francis. He was a merchant for a number of
years at Kerens, taught in the public schools of the county
for a number of years, and was assessor of Randolph County in
1892.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 389

THE WEESE FAMILY.

The Weese Family. This family is of German descent.
For the origin of the surname see another chapter. Jacob
Weese was the progenitor of the Weese family in Randolph.
He was born in 1733 and died in 1826. He came to Randolph
in the early days of the county and tbe family had recourse to
the Wilson Fort in times of Indian raids into the Valley. The
sons of Jacob Weese were Jacob, George, Daniel and John.
The sons of the second Jacob were Absalom, Jacob, John and
Eli. The sons of George were Zirus, Zaiba and Jacob, and
the daughters were Rebecca, Catherine, Dorcas and Martha.
Daniel's sons were Judson, Haymond and Duncan. John's
sons were Elijah, John and Job.

Zirus Weese, son of George and Ruth (Morgan) Weese,
married in 1828 Abigail, daughter of John L. and Deborah
Hart. Children, Harriet, Deborah, Ruth, Ziba and Perry
Hart.

Perry Hart Weese was born in 1840. In 1865 he married
Alice Jewel, daughter of Joseph and Alice (Elliot) Harding.
Children, Boyd, Kirk, Clyde, Glenn and Hope.

Boyd Weese was born in 1866. He was educated in the
public schools and at the State University. Mr. Weese is a
merchant and his store has grown from a cross-roads coun-
try store to one of the largest department stores in Elkins.
Mr. Weese was the nominee of the Democratic party for the
State Senate in 1908. He has twice been mayor of the city of
Elkins and has served on the city council. Mr. Weese mar-
ried Knight, daughter of James J. and Margaret Stewart
Burns of Fairmont, West Virginia. Children, Dorothy Burns
and Donald Stuart.

THE WHITE FAMILY.

The White Family. This family of Wdiites was among
the first settlers in the Valley in 1772-4. The Border Warfare
mentions John and William White as prominent participants
in Indian warfare in Randolph in pioneer days. Lieutenant
John White was shot and killed from ambush by the Indians
in 1778. In October of that vear, in the upper part of the Val-
ley, the savages, in hiding near the road, fired several shots

Si"-'1 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

at Lieutenant White but only wounded his horse which caus-
ed him to dismount. On foot in open ground he was shot.
tomahawked and scalped. William White was captured bv
the Indians in 1777. He was taken to their villages in Ohio
where he procured a gun by artifice, shot an Indian, took his
horse and made his way safely to the settlements in Randolph.
At a later period he was killed by the Indians near the present
town of Buckhannon.

John and William White settled in the Valley above
Huttonsville and were the neighbors of the Crouches, the
Haddans. the Currences and the Warwicks. Price's history
of Pocahontas says : William White would frequentlv visit
the home of Andrew Crouch, senior, and the Major had a vivid
recollection of the impression White's appearance made upon
his youthful mind as he walked the floor, he was so very tall
and portly.

Isaac, son of John White, was born near Huttonsville in
1776. He moved, when a young man. to Beverlv District.
about a mile southwest of Beverlv where he lived the remain-
der of a long life. This land had been entered prior to 1780
by Cartine and Jacob White.

Isaac White, was born September. 1776: married Mar-'
garet Haddan. February 1. 1798. Children. Polly H.. born N -
vember 9. 1798: John B.. born April 27. 1800: Rachel, born
February 28, 1802, and Eliza, born December 4, 1804.

Children oi John B. and Mary < Reger) White. Amanda,
born November 9. 1831 : Lorenzo Dow White, born January
5. 1834; Margaret White, born September 2. 1836: F. M.
White, born May 3, 1838, and Columbia White, born Febru-
ary 12. 1849.

Amanda White married Mathew Ward: L. D. White mar-
ried Emeline McLean: Margaret White died in youth: F. M.
White married Lewis Woolwine.

F. M. White married Mary E. Buckey: Columbia White
married Lewis Woolwine.

Children of F. M. and Mary i Buckey) White. Kent. Liz-
zie and Effie. Lizzie married S. P. Scott: Effie died voting.
Rev. Kent White is a prominent minister in Denver. Colorado.

Children of L. D. and Emeline (McLean") White were

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 391

John B. and Laura. John B. White married Lucy, daughter
of Job Daniels. Children, Beulah, Xellie and Howard. Beu-
lah and Howard died in infancy.

Eliza, daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Haddan) White,
married Xathan Devine.

Polly, daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Haddan) White,
died July 22, 1885, aged seven years.

Isaac White was justice of the peace in 1809. L. D. White
was clerk of the Circuit Court in 1860: sheriff in 1873-6.
F. M. White was sheriff in 1871-2.

Xellie White, daughter of John B. and Lucy ( Daniels)
White, married Marion Ross Payne, April 16, 1913. One
child, Cecil Arlington, has been born of this union, the date of
its birth being September 9, 1914. Mr. Payne was born in
Webster County, West Virginia, January 1, 1886. A second
child, Marion Ruth, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Pavne April
3, 1916.

The best information now obtainable indicates that Thom-
as White was the first of the White family that is now nu-
merous in the eastern part of the county to locate in Randolph.
He located on the head of Whites Run on the summit of the
Allegheny Mountains, the exact date of which is not known.
He made his will in 1802. He devised his property to his
children, William Thomas and David. His wife's name was
Abigail Summerfield. He immigrated to America from Eng-
land says tradition.

L. D. White, son of Laban and Katherine ( Roby ) White,
was born May 28, 1870: married Frances, daughter of Aaron
Day, in 1890. Children, Omer C. Daw G.. Page L.. Lester,
Londa May, Alpha. Dawson, Lula and Hansford. Mr. White
is a farmer residing in Job.

James W. White, son of S. L. White and Etta White,
was born 1878; married Cleo, daughter of A. L. and Katie
Cunningham, in 1914. Mr. White was a farmer's son. He
taught school three years, made an extensive trip to the west,
returning to Randolph County and engaging in the mercantile
business. Mr. White is notary public and postmaster at Wv-
mer. West Virginia. He is acquiring considerable real estate.

392 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

George White, son of James and Catherine E. (Nelson)
White, was born March 16, 1873 ; married Julia Speck. Chil-
dren, Dessie, Beulah, Don, Clare, Paul, Dale, Emerson, Stel-
la M. and Letitia L., who died in infancy. Mr. White is a mem-
ber of the numerous White families of this section and is a
grandson of Levi White and great grandson of Soldier White.
He is a farmer living on Middle Mountain.

Isaac C, son of Emanuel and Margaret White, was born
in 1876; married a daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Van-
devander) Powers. Children, Xola, Carl, Chester, Thelma,
Zellie and Wilson. Edgar Edison died in infancy.

B. Y., son of James B. and Sarah (Carr) White, was born
in 1878; married Hettie C, daughter of Cyrus and Rachael E.
(Harper) Teter. Children, Odbert, Sarah, Pauline and Ray-
mond. Mr. White has been a merchant and school teacher.
He was deputy assessor under A. W. Zinn.

Daniel, son of James and Ellen (Nelson) White, was
born in 1875 ; married Ada, daughter of Noah and Malinda
(Smith) Montony. Children, Eva, Carl, Vistie, Edith, Her-
sell, Opie, who died in the seventh year of her age ; Foster,
who died in the fourth year of his age. Edith died in infancy.
Mr. White is a blacksmith at Job.

Grover C. White, son of James and Ella (Nelson) White,
was born in 1893 ; married Mabel, daughter of Andreas and
Sallie (Calhoun) Hartman. Children, one child, Othie, has
been born unto them. Mr. White is a farmer near Job.

Grover S. White, son of G. W. and Mary S. White, was
born in 1886; married Ada, daughter of John and Frances
(Harman) Kimmell. Children, Robert, Gladis, Frank, Guy,
Marv and Ronald. Mr. White is a farmer near Whitmer.

Geo. W. White, son of Henry and Sarah C. (Roy) White,
was born in 1860 ; married Mary S. White, daughter of Laban
and Katherine White. Children, Lenora C, Olive L. Grover
Scott, Dennis, Dixon Carl, Roy and Jared. Mr. White was
constable for twelve years. He was mayor of Whitmer for
three years and town sergeant two vears and for three vears
he was deputy assessor.

Benjamin F. White, son of Laban and Catherine White,
was born in 1865; married Permelia, daughter of Joseph and

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 393

Hannah (Eye) Elgard. Children, Phoeba, Lena, Charles and
Virgil. Two children, Preston and Izetta died in infancy. Mr.
White is a farmer and lives near Job.

John \Y. White, son of Levi and Mary Ann (Davis)
White, was born in 1850; married Columbia Jane Nelson.
Children, Alonzo, Elizabeth, Sarah, Catherine. Mary Mar-
garet died aged 35 years ; Susan A. died at the age of 22 and
Francis died in the thirtieth year of her age. Mr. White has
lived on the farm on which he now resides for forty-five years,
having cleared his entire farm from an unbroken forest.

Bernard, son of Edward and Mary A., (Houchin) White,
was born in 1878 in Randolph County ; married May E., daugh-
ter of Rillis and Elizabeth (Gawthrop) Hermon. Mr. White
is of English descent. His father moved to Randolph from
Highland County, Virginia, in 1877. Mr. White is proprietor
of a garage at Mill Creek.

S. L. White, son of Harvey and Martha White, was born
in 1864. Children, James W., Gertie, Amos, Corbett, Jason,
Mason, David, Sallie, Arthur and Stanley. Mr. White is en-
gaged in farming.

THE WILSON FAMILY.

Benjamin Wilson was born in Shenandoah County, Vir-
ginia, in 1747. His father, William Wilson, emigrated from
Ireland in 1737, and located on Trout Run in what is now
Hardy County. In about 1774 he moved to the Valley and lo-
cated on what has since borne the name of Wilson Creek. He
built the Wilson Fort in 1777. To retain his position of clerk
of the County Court of Harrison County he moved to Clarks-
burg when Randolph County was formed. He was a Federal-
ist in politics and was the leader of his party in Western Vir-
ginia until lines were obliterated by the War of 1812.

For his first wife Col. Wilson married Ann Ruddell of
Hampshire County. Twelve children were born to this union.
For his second wife Col. Wilson married Phoeba Davisson.
Seventeen children blessed this union. Colonel Wilson died in
Harrison County, Virginia, in 1827, in the eightieth year of
his age.

Three brothers of Benjamin Wilson seem to have lived
in Randolph, William, John and Moses.

394 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

William Wilson, born in 1754, died in 1851. He held many
offices in Randolph.

John Wilson, born 1756, died 1827. He was the first
county clerk in 1787 and first circuit clerk in 1809.

Moses Wilson, born in 1761, died in 1784.

William B. Wilson, son of Benjamin and Ann (Ruddell)
Wilson was born in 1773. He married Elizabeth Davisson
of Harrison County. Children, Prudence, who married Tudge
Edwin S. Duncan, Patsy, who married Lenox Camden ; Ann,
who married Abraham Hutton ; Elizabeth, who married Adam
D. Caplinger; Alexander, Frederick, Daniel and Edwin
Duncan.

Edwin Duncan Wilson married Martha Weese. Chil-
dren, James Duncan, Florida, Rose Ann and Elizabeth.

Below is an extract from an address made before the trus-
tees and patrons of the Randolph Academy at Clarksburg, de-
livered on the 29th day of December, 1799, by Col. Wilson,
who was one of the trustees of the institution :

"Sir: We give you assurance that nothing shall be want-
ing to render you assistance to make this institution respect-
able. Therefore permit us to enumerate some of the danger-
ous ills which is to command your attention as well without
the Seminary as within, viz : the wilful breach of the Sabbath
Day, lying, cursing, swearing, quarreling, frequenting taverns
or still houses by night or by day and in particular the infa-
mous ills of gaming, together with all other ills not enumerat-
ed. You will also please inspire such of your youths as have
arrived at the age of discretion to avoid all low company, and
at all times and places to sequester themselves from such."

James D. Wilson, son of Edwin D. and Martha | Weese)
Wilson, was born in 1844, and died in 1895. In 1866 he mar-
ried Delia, daughter of Absalom and Emily (Hart) Crawford.
Unto this union was born Lottie Lee, who died in 1912. and
Jessie May, who married Homer Houston and after his death
Lee J. Sandridge, a prominent business man of Barbour Coun-
ty. James D. Wilson was a member of a distinguished family,
being the grandson of William B. Wilson, who was the son
of the first Benjamin Wilson. Living in the formative period
of Western Virginia, no other family, perhaps, has left, in so

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

395

marked degree, the impress of their lives and influence upon
the region now embraced in the state of West Virginia. Dur-
ing the active period of his life no other individual in Randolph
wielded a greater influence than James D. Wilson. With more
than ordinary ability and with a peculiar fitness for clerical

MR. J. D. WILSON.

396 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

work, Mr. Wilson for eighteen years discharged the duties of
county clerk with entire satisfaction to his constituents. In
the true sense of the word, he was not a politician as he was
open and fearless, following his convictions and opposing or
espousing a cause in utter disregard of the consequences to
himself. The county has not produced a more unique or noted
personage.

Colonel Ben. Wilson, who for many years represented
the Clarksburg District in Congress was a son of Josiah Wil-
son and a grandson of the first Benjamin Wilson.

William Woodrow, an ancestor of the Woodrow family,
a member of which was the mother of President Wilson, in an
early day entered land on Wilson Creek, this county, but it
is not known whether he ever resided on his possessions.

William H. Wilson, son of John Q. and Harriet (WTood)
Wilson, was born in 1840; married Rachael, daughter of
Abram and Catherine (McXeal) Crouch. Mr. Wilson was jus-
tice of the peace, deputy sheriff and clerk of the Circuit Court
in 1884-96.

THE WOOLWINE FAMILY.

The Woolwine Family. This family is of German an-
cestry and the name was originally spelled Eolvine. Orlando
Woolwine was born about 1805. He lived in Valley Bend
District. He had two sisters, Peggy, who married Isom Chan-
nell, and Elizabeth, who married William Pritt. Orlando
Woolwine married Sallie Clark. Children were Judson E.,
William, Columbia, Lucinda and Edmonia.

William Woolwine died in a Federal prison during the
Civil War. Edmonia Woolwine married Laban, son of Wil-
liam Dolebear Currence. Lucinda married Carper Ward, Ed-
monia married Holman Pritt.

Judson B. Woolwine married Amanda Smith. Children,
Herman, Maynard, Stanley, Stella.

Louis Woolwine was born in 1848. He married Colum-
bia, daughter of John B. and Mary Reger White. Children,
Lee, Xora, Icy, Tucker, Dorpha, John, Howard, Burr, Guy,
Kent and Merlie. He owns the land on which was situated
the Round Barn, a land mark of ante-bellum days.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 397

Orlando Woolwine was a member of the Board of Su-
pervisors of Randolph County in 1867.

THE WARTHEN FAMILY.

The Warthen Family. Raphael Warthen was among the
first settlers of Randolph. His home was on the banks of
Kings Run near the Staunton and Parkersburg pike, in Bever-
ly District. He died in 1798, leaving a widow and two chil-
dren. Elizabeth and Chlotilda. Chlotilda was born in 1798.
The widow with her children moved to Kentucky in 1800.
Chlotilda married a Montgomery, a member of a Maryland
family. One son of this union, Hon. Zacharia Montgomery,
moved to California in 1849. He became a prominent citizen
of his adopted state, and gained distinction as a writer on po-
litical and other subjects and was assistant attorney general
under Cleveland's first administration. A grandson of Chlo-
tilda Warthen Montgomery is the Right Reverend George
Montgomery, a Catholic Bishop of Southern California.

Prof. John J. Montgomery, son of Hon. Zacharia Mont-
gomery, gained world wide fame as a pioneer in the field of ae-
rial Might. Prof. Montgomery was recognized by aviationists
of every nation as one of the greatest inventors of heavier
than air flying machines. He was in fact the father of the
flying machine, but the Wright brothers following in his foot-
steps and infringing on his patents received popular credit
that belongs to Prof. Montgomery. He met his death in an
effort to solve the problem of gliding without the use of power,
after the manner of the eagle and other soaring birds.

THE WESTFALL FAMILY.

The Westfall Family. George, Jacob, Job, W'illiam,
James and Cornelius Westfall settled in the Vallev as early
as 1772. They were, perhaps, brothers and came to Randolph
from Pendleton. Withers says that one of the Westfalls found
and buried the remains of the Files family who were murder-
ed by the Indians nearly twenty years previous. This is im-
probable from the fact that the Westfalls settled near the
mouth of Mill Creek and William Currence first owned and
occupied the land where Beverly now stands and which had

398 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

been abandoned by the Files family. Some years later Wil-
liam Currence and the Westfalls exchanged lands. Jacob
Westfall was a justice of the peace and a member of the
court appointed by the Governor in the organization of the
county. In the same year he was elected sheriff by his asso-
ciate justices of the peace, and thus became the first sheriff of
Randolph. The residence of James Westfall in Beverly was
designated as the court house of Randolph County, May 29,
1787, the first session having been held the day previous at
the residence of Benjamin Wilson. Cornelius Westfall was
the second sheriff of Randolph in 1789. George and James
Westfall were captains of the militia in 1787. Jacob West-
fall was one of the trustees of the town of Beverly in 1790.
James Westfall was major of the militia in 1794. The West-
falls were of German origin and the name was spelled West-
phal in the mother tongue. The Westfalls settled in Pendle-
ton in 1752. Cornelius Westfall moved to Hamilton County,
Ohio.

THE WHITMAN FAMILY.

The Whitman Family. The Whitman family was
ami mg the first settlers of Randolph. Mathew Whitman was
tlie first deputy sheriff of Randolph. He was captain of the
militia in 1800 and was elected sheriff by the court the same
vear. He assisted in the organization of the first Presby-
terian church in Randolph in 1820. He was commissioner of
revenue in 1831. The Whitman family was of English de-
scent and came from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, stopping
temporarily in Hampshire County. Mathew Whitman was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War and received a pension.

THE WARWICK FAMILY.

The Warwick Family. The Warwick family came to
Randolph in the first years of its settlement. Jacob Warwick
came from England to Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1740-50.
He was employed by the Crown to survey land grants in Po-
cahontas County. It is to be presumed that he was the father
of Jacob Warwick, who settled in Randolph. The Warwicks
became connected by marriage with the Sees, the Marshalls,
the Crouches and other prominent families of Randolph. A

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 399

descendant of this family of Warwicks became a prominent
politician of the Buckeye State and had the distinction of de-
feating Wm. McKinley for Congress some years before he
was elected to the Presidency.

THE WILMOTH FAMILY.

The Wilmoth Family. The Wilmoth settlement was
among the first permanent colonies in Randolph. The date is
fixed by the records of Monongalia County, which show that
the Wilmoths obtained certificates for land on Cheat River
on which they settled in 1776. These certificates were" given by
the commissioners of unpatented lands in 1781. They were
of English descent and consisted of four brothers and two
sisters. Their names were Nicholas, Thomas, James and John,
and the sisters, Deborah and Susan. They immigrated from
England to Virginia and thence to Randolph, sojourning, per-
haps, in Pendleton. Thomas Wilmoth received a patent for
71 acres of land in Pendleton on Hedricks Run in 1771. The
Wilmoths probably lived in Pendleton from 1771 to 1776. For
many vears subsequent to their settlement on the river, the
stream was called Wilmoths river.

Nicholas, the eldest of the Wilmoth brothers, married
Sydney, daughter of William Currence, the pioneer. The chil-
dren of Nicholas and Sydney (Currence) Wilmoth were, John
W., Sarah, Thomas, William, Eli, Samuel, James and Cur-
rence.

Thomas, brother of the first Nicholas, married in 1798
Amy, daughter of Benjamin Schoonover. He owned the land
where the stone house now stands. The stone house was
built by Levi, son of Thomas. The children of Thomas and
Amy (Schoonover) Wilmoth were, Absalom, John, Edmund,
Levi, and three daughters whose names are not remembered.

John Wilmoth, one of the pioneer brothers, married in
1799 Mary Cunningham, daughter of James Cunningham. The
names of their children were Elias, Peggy, James, Prudence,
Wilson, Solomon, John Adam, Mary Ann and Dewy. James
married Nancy Smith.

James Wilmoth, the pioneer, was murdered by the In-
dians. The date of the tragedy is uncertain, but it was prob-

400 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

ably at the time of the Leading Creek massacre. The Wil-
moth settlement was apprehensive of a raid by the Indians
and had sought safety at Friends and Wilson's Fort. How-
ever, James Wilmoth ventured to make a visit to the settle-
ment, when his whereabouts was betrayed to the savages
lurking in the community by the barking of a dog- with him.
The Indians killed him from ambush near where the stone
house now stands. Susan Wilmoth married David Schoon-
over.

Eli, son of Nicholas and Sydney (Currence) Wilmoth,
married Rebecca, daughter of Aaron Yanscoy. Their children
were Archibald, Emily, Currence. James, Arnold, Louisa, Is-
bern, Oliver and Elizabeth.

Nicholas Wilmoth, born in 1824, son of William and
Mary (Taylor) Wilmoth; married in 1853 to Eliza, daughter
of Noah McLean. Children, Simpson, Haymond, Theodore,
Virginia, Emiline, Minerva, Lou A. and Julia.

Benjamin F. Wilmoth, son of Wm. and Marv (Taylor)
Wilmoth, was born in 1829. He was a member of the Board
of Supervisors during the Civil War.

Oliver Wilmoth, son of Eli and Rebecca (Vanscoy) Wil-
moth and grandson of Nicholas and Sydney (Currence) Wil-
moth, was born in 1835. He was a member of the Board of
Supervisors in 1861-8 and was town sergeant, chief of police
and city treasurer of the city of Elkins, holding one of these
positions almost continuously during the first two decades
of the city's growth.

Archibald Wilmoth was born in 1824 and was the son of

Eli and Rebecca (Yanscoy) Wilmoth. He died in 19 He

married Caroline, daughter of Isaac Taylor, in 1847. Chil-
dren, Luceba. Alonzo, F. Ella and Rebecca.

Luceba E. Wilmoth married Major J. F. Harding: Ella
May Wilmoth married Floyd J. Triplett; Rebecca C. Wilmoth
married Ziba Weese.

Alonzo F. Wilmoth, son of Archibald and Caroline (Tay-
lor) Wilmoth, was born in 1854; married Nancy, daughter of
Thomas G. and Emily L. Black. Children. Emily, Josephine,
Russell Woods, Edith Loraine. Mr. Wilmoth graduated from
Fairmont Normal school in 1881. He was principal of the New

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 401

Martinsville public schools in 1882; from 1884-8 he was sec-
retary to State Superintendent of Public Schools, B. L. Butch-
er. For years Mr. W'ilmoth was a representative of the pub-
lishing house of Ginn & Co. He was elected county superin-
tendent of schools in 1878 and served two terms.

THE WARD FAMILY.

The Ward Family. Sylvester was the ancestor of the
Ward family in Randolph. He came to Randolph from Pen-
dleton in 1788 and married Alary Cunningham of that county.
He was one of the trustees of the town of Beverly in 1790.
The children of Sylvester Ward were Jacob, Jemima, Phoeba,
Levi and Adonijah. Adonijah, Levi and two sisters, Phoeba
and Jemima, moved to Ohio at an early date. They launched
a boat on the Monongalia and floated down that stream and
Ohio was their destination. The boat was constructed with
sides too thick to be penetrated by the bullets of enemies.
Tradition says that the Wards had more than one encounter
with the Indians on their journey and that friends and com-
panions of the trip, who were not so well prepared to repel
attacks, perished on the way-
Mary, daughter of Sylvester Ward, married William Cur-
rence. LTnto this union were born John J., who married Ann
Conrad and moved to Braxton ; William, who married Eliza-
beth Conrad; Virginia, who married Benjamin Scott; Jemima,
who married Adam Carper ; Elizabeth, who married Gabriel
Chenoweth.

Jacob Ward, son of Sylvester, married first, Elizabeth
Scott of the South Branch. Children, Scott, killed by falling
on pitchfork; Adonijah, who married Miss Hull; Jacob, who
married Miss Dyer; Levi, who married Miss Stalnaker ; Katie,
who married William Parsons ; Mary, who married Solomon
Parsons, and Jemima, who married Job Parsons. The chil-
dren of Jacob and Elizabeth Whitman Ward were. Whitman,
William L., Washington G., Jesse and Phoeba.

The children of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dyer) Ward were
Levi D., Catherine, Mary, Jemima, Louisa D., Morgan Blaine
and William Thomas.

402 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Levi, son of the first Jacob Ward, married Katie Whit-
man. Children, Adonijah, George and Whitman.

The children of Adonijah and Hannah (Hull) Ward
were Hull, Levi and Scott Ward.

Whitman Ward, born April 9, 1803, married Mary Weese,
daughter of John Weese. Children, Washington G., born Oc-
tober 28, 1831 ; Squire Bosworth, born October 10, 1833: John
W., born February 28, 1836; Mary E., born August 7, 1838;
Phoeba C, born July 8, 1840; Job, born January 28, 1843;
Mathew W., born December 28, 1850; William K., born No-
vember 13, 1853.

Whitman Ward was killed at Kerens, June 14, 1862, while
attending a muster. He was shot from ambush by Confed-
erate scouts, who mistook him for a Union sympathizer, who
had been active in reporting Confederate partisans.

Squire B. Ward, born in 1833, married in 1856 Mary Jane,
daughter of Daniel and Catherine Dinkle. They had one
child, Iddo. Mr. Ward married after the death of his first wife
Ida Huffman.

John Baylis Ward, an attorney of Beverly, was born in
1852. He is the son of George W. and Maria (Earle) Ward.
In 1882 he married Angelia, daughter of Andrew and Susan
(Foggy) Scott. Children, George A., William M., Wilson
P., John Baylis, Edgar Foggy and Mary Genevieve.

James A., son of Levi D. Ward and Rebecca (Wamsley)
Ward, was born in I860. Mr. Ward lives in Idaho.

Elihu B. Ward, born in 1838, son of Jesse C. and Eliza-
beth Ward, married first, Eliza A. Crouch and after her death
Eugenia Crouch. Children, Mittie L., Kent C, Jubal E., Mary,
Emma Nora, Lenna, Bessie, Randall and Bruce. Mr. Ward
served through the Civil War as a Confederate soldier.

Lee M. Ward, born in 1846, son of Wm. L. and Eliza
(Myers) Ward. In 1867 he married Virginia, daughter of
Moses and Mary (Haigler) Hutton. He served in the Con-
federate army from 1862 to the close of the war. To Mr. and
Mrs. Ward have been born Tucker H., Russie L. and Lucy.
Tucker Ward is a graduate of the law department of the
State Universitv. He married Aneath, daughter of Edwin

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 403

Butcher of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Children, Wm. L. and
Brownie B.

Levi Scott Ward, son of Adonijah and Hannah (Hull)
Ward, was born in 1819. In 1841 lie married Martha, daugh-
ter of John and Alary (Hornbeck) Wood. Children, Hannah,
John, Luther, Asa, Paul and Sabina. Mr. Ward was the great
grandson of Sylvester Ward. For many years he resided
near the head of Files Creek in Valley Bend District.

Hull Adam Ward was born in 1825. He was the son of
Adonijah and Hannah (Hull) Ward. He married Melvina
Weese.

Sterling Price Ward, son of George and Margaret E.
(Wamsley) Ward, was born May 12, 1867; married May
Martha, daughter of Charles and Virginia (Wilmoth) Crouch.
Children, Maggie, who married John Petit. Mr. Ward was ed-
ucated in the public schools and at Bingham Military Acad-
emy, North Carolina. Mr. Ward is a prominent farmer of
Huttonsville District, residing near Mill Creek.

Ray Ward, son of Job and Catherine (Chenoweth) Ward,
was born in 1873; married Hattie, daughter of Randolph and
Sarah (Kittle) Triplett. Children, Lanier Ferrel, Freda Hel-
en, Austin Job, Ada C, Dorotha May and Waldo Triplett.
Mr. Ward is a farmer and lives near Elkins.

THE YOKUM FAMILY.

The Yokum Family. This family is of German descent
and was among the hrst settlers of the Valley. The name
as it appeared in the early records was spelled Yoakum. The
first ancestor of this family of which we have any record was
Phillip Paul Yokum, who lived on the South Branch of the
Potomac in what is now Hardy County, and married a Miss
Harness.

John and Michael Yokum settled in what is now Bar-
bour County at a very early date. They were brothers, per-
haps. The commissioners appointed to adjust land titles,
certified that John Yokum was entitled to 400 acres on Bar-
ker's Creek to include his settlement made in 1773, and that
Michael Yokum was entitled to 400 acres to include his set-
tlement made in 1772 on Sugar Creek. Their names appear

404 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

in the early records of the county and it is to be presumed that
they moved to the Valley shortly after their settlement in
what is now Barbour.

William Yokum, grandson of Phillip Yokum, married
Sally, daughter of Solomon Ryan, who lived near the Beverly
bridge on the west side.

John Yokum, grandson of the first John, married a Miss
Kuykendall. George W. Yokum, for many years a prominent
physician of Beverly, was a son of this union.

Bruce, son of Dr. G. W. and Mary C. (Ward) Yokum,
was born in 1860; married in 1893 Mary Ervin, daughter of
Morgan and Sallie (Long) Kittle. Mr. Yokum was educated
at Washington and Jefferson College. He lives in the ances-
tral home in Beverly and is extensively engaged in farming
and stockraising, owning some of the best agricultural and
grazing lands in the county.

Palmer R., son of Elam and Martha (Stalnaker) Yokum,
was born November 15. 1888: married Nellie, daughter of
Lafayette and Lucy I Clem) Daniels. Mr. Yokum is proprie-
tor of the railroad restaurant and hotel at Mill Creek. He is of
German descent and a descendant of the pioneer family of
Yokums.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 405

PERSONAL SKETCHES

Alexander Addison.

Alexander Addison was the second Prosecuting- Attorney
of Randolph. He succeeded William McCleary and held that
office from 1787 to 1790. At the August term of the court,
1787, he was licensed for one year to practice law. At that
time the recommendation of some court was necessary to
obtain a license. Mr. Addison was given one year to meet
this requirement. Nothing is now known of his previous
or subsequent history.

Maxwell Armstrong.

Maxwell Armstrong was Prosecuting Attorney of Ran-
dolph from 1795 to 1798. He was practicing at the Randolph
County bar as late as 1795, when he was engaged by the Coun-
ty Court to bring suit against Edward Hart for failure to com-
plete the court house in the time specified in the contract
Another family of the same name settled in Randolph about
this time. They were from Prince William County, Virginia
Whether relatives of Maxwell Armstrong is not known.

John M. Ball.

John Marshall Ball, son of George W. and Malinda (Par-
sons) Ball was born in 1836, married (1860) Christina, daugh-
ter of Adonijah and Patsy (Carper) Wrard. Children, Hattie
and Maggie, both deceased.

Mr. Ball has traveled extensively in the Wrest and lived
for several years in Kansas in the pioneer days of the Sun-
flower State, when the homesteader came in conflict with
hot winds, cyclones, grasshoppers and Indians. Pie is the only
living representative of a pioneer family in Randolph.

Andrew D. Barlow.

Andrew D., son of Alexander Barlow, was born in Poca-
hontas County in 1847, married (1874) Jennie Bell, daughter
of C. W. and Mary (Collett) Russell. Children, Hattie, who
married Chas. Baker ; Wrillis D., Agnes, Mattie, Russell, Ralph

406 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

and Dr. C. A. Barlow who is superintendent of the Spencer In-
sane Asylum. Mattie is a graduate of Emerson College of
Oratory, Boston, and for a number of years has been a teacher
in a college in Oklahoma.

Harry N. Barnard.

Harry N. Barnard, son of Nathaniel and Nancy E.
(Speers) Barnard, born in Rockwood, Pa., 1872, married Stel-
la, daughter of D. P. and Caroline (Chenoweth) Harper. Chil-
dren, Paul H., Chas. E., Harry N., Jr.

Mr. Barnard came to Randolph in 1889 and is a dealer in
hardware and plumbers' supplies. He is an active member of
the Presbyterian church and is president of the Randolph Sun-
day school Association.

Rev. Frederick H. Barron.

Rev. Frederick H. Barron, A.M., D.D., son of J. L. and
Agnes (Jackson) Barron, was born in St. Marys, Province of
Ontario, Canada, January, 1870. Rev. Barron took the degree
of bachelor of arts from the University of Toronto, in 1897.
Jn 1900 he graduated from Knox Theological Seminary. From
1900 to 1902 he was pastor of Reid Memorial Church, Balti-
more. Since 1902 he has been pastor of the Davis Memorial
Presbyterian Church. Rev. Barron was president of Davis
and Elkins College, 1905-6, and has been professor of Biblical
Literature in that institution since 1904.

Doctor Barron married Mary C, daughter of Capt. O. N.
and Mrs. Mary S. Butler. Children, Mary Spence, Frederick
Minto and William Wallace.

Amos J. Bennett.

Amos J. Bennett, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Bennett)
Bennett, was born in Pendleton County in 1849; married Eliz-
abeth, daughter of Reuben and Margaret (McLaughlin) Teter.
Children, Harrison, Gordon, Lottie, Annie Izerna, Macie, Odie,
Mamie. Mary died at the age of 29; Strigh died in the 13th
year of his age; Mamie and Lester A. died in infancy.

Mr. Bennett came to Randolph in 1870.. He served several
terms as president of the Board of Education of Dry Fork

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 407

District; was constable eig'h years and was the nominee of the
Republican party for deputy sheriff in 1908. He is at present
engaged in farming and stockraising.

James Appleton Bent.

James Appleton Bent, son of George B. and Elizabeth
Bent, was born July 15, 1853, Roane County, West Virginia,
married Maggie C. Butcher, daughter of C. W. and Manda
Butcher, November 27, 1888, Beverly, W. Va. Children, Myr-
tle M. Bent, Laura Certrude Bent and Edgar M. Bent. Mr.
Bent became a resident of Randolph County September, 1883.

Mr. Bent has attained a place of prominence at the Ran-
dolph county bar. He has been honored by his fellow prac-
titioners by being chosen as special judge in important cases.
He is also a law writer of note, being the author of Bent's
Digest.

Jefferson Slidell Brown.

Jefferson Slidell Brown. The subject of this sketch was
born at the old "Eairfax Manor" house near Kingwood, West
Virginia, during the throes of the Civil War. His father,
Charles Mercer Brown, a lawyer, who died at the age of 32
years, leaving a widow and two sons, the other, Ben L. Brown,
now postmaster at Kingwood. The mother of the subject of
this sketch was Virginia Caroline Eairfax, a granddaughter
of Col. John Eairfax of Virginia, who was superintendent for
seven years for Gen. Geo. Washington at his plantation at
Mount Vernon, Virginia, and Lawrence Washington, a half
brother of General Washington, married a sister of Col. Fair-
fax. The latter was a son of William Eairfax, a cousin to
Lord Tom Fairfax of Greenaway Court, near Winchester,
Virginia. The great grandfather of the subject of this sketch
was Capt. Thomas Brown of Prince William County, Virgin-
ia, who served in the Revolutionary War and was wounded
at the battle of the Cowpens in South Carolina while fighting
under General Morgan. He came to Preston County, this
state, in 1805, and took up a large tract of land adjoining his
friend and neighbor in Old Virginia, Col. John Eairfax, who
moved to Preston County in 1790. J. Slidell Brown, purchased

408 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

the West Virginia Argus at King-wood in 1889 and edited it
for almost a quarter of a century, when the late Congressman
W. G. Brown purchased the paper, and Slidell Brown came
to Elkins in May, 1914, and took charge of the Randolph En-
terprise, as editor and manager. Mr. Brown served as post-
master of Kingwood for over four years, having been ap-
pointed by President Grover Cleveland. He was the Dem-
ocratic nominee for State Senator twice, once in the old Pres-
ton-Taylor-Monongalia District and once in the Fourteenth
District composed of Preston, Tucker, Grant, Mineral and
Hardy. He served as chairman of the Democratic committee
of Preston County for sixteen years and served on all the va-
rious committees, congressional, senatorial, judicial and was
an alternate-at-large from West Virginia to the National
Democratic Convention at Chicago that nominated Bryan the
first time. Mr. Brown served five terms as president of the
West Virginia Editorial Association and is a prominent mem-
ber of the Knights of Pythias, Masons, Odd Fellows, Red
Men, Maccabees, Junior Order, Daughters of Rebekah,
Pythian Sisters, etc. In 1902 he was married to Stella Maud
Parsons, daughter of Capt. J. \\ . Parsons, formerly of Rich
Mountain, Randolph County, and now residing at Kingwood.
Five children, four boys and a girl, are the fruits of this union.

MlLFORD CARE.

Milford Carr, son of John and Isabel (White) Carr, was
born in 1892, married Martha, daughter of Chas. and Carrie
(Day)" White. They have no children. Mr. Carr has taught
in the public schools three years.

Richard Chaffey.

Richard Chaffey, born at Pittsburgh in 1850, son of H. F.
and Hopewell Chaffey, was married in 1882 to Laura L.,
daughter of A. W. and Caroline Couse. Children, Ruth,
Laura and Florence. He came to Randolph in 1889. In
1897 Mr. Chaffey was elected to the Elkins City Council. He
is president of the Peoples Xational Bank of Elkins. Al-
though an active and successful business man, Mr. Chaffey
is prominent in civil and church affairs, and much credit

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 409

should be accorded him for the adoption of the prohibition
amendment in West Virginia.

Abraham Clingerman.

Abraham Clingerman, son of Peter and Julia Ann (Smith)
Clingerman, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, mar-
ried, first, Maggie E. Smith. Children, Oda E. For his second
wife Mr. Clingerman married Bertha Ellen Eliff. Children,
Herschell, Virgie V., Pearl and Denver. Mr. Clingerman has
been a carpenter and builder since locating in Elkins.

Capt. William H. Cobb.

Capt. Wm. H. Cobb. William Henry Cobb was born
June 30, 1859, in Hall County, Georgia. He was united in
marriage in 1896 to Laone, daughter of Col. Elihu and So-
phrina (Woodford) Hutton. This union has been blessed
with four children, Elihu Hutton Cobb, Marion Cobb, Wil-
liam Henry Cobb, Jr. and Langly Woodford Cobb.

Capt. Cobb was reared on the typical southern planta-
tion on the Oconee River, and received such early education
as was afforded by the Old Field Schools of that time. Later
he attended the North Georgia Military Academy and took
his degree from the Georgia State University at Athens. Sub-
sequently he took a course in law and located in Southern
Florida for the practice of his profession.

With military mien, talent and training, Capt. Cobb has
always had a native bent toward the profession of arms. Ac-
cordingly, when war with Spain was declared, he raised a
company in his home town of Arcadia. Capt. Cobb's com-
pany saw service in Santiago and Guantanimo, Cuba. He has
held commissions from the President of the United States
and from the Governors of three States, and was preparing to
enter the service in the recent anticipated unpleasantness
with Mexico. At the close of the Spanish American War
Capt. Cobb's company was mustered out and he located in
Elkins to practice the profession of law. Capt. Cobb has been
active in the affairs of the city and has been a member of city
council, mayor and six years president of the Board of Trade.
He has been also, vice-president of the State Board of Trade.

410 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

In a practical way he has been active in the upbuilding of the
city by erecting several modern business blocks.

The Cobb family is an old English one and the Cobham
estates remain as landmarks in the mother country. The
family came to America in 1655 and settled near Norfolk,
Virginia, moving to the Carolinas prior to the Revolution.
Representatives of this family have been prominent in the
councils of both branches of the National law-making bodies
and furnished governors for several States in Dixie. Capt.
Cobb is also related to the Tanner and Langley families of
Virginia that trace their lineage back many centuries.

H. T. Conner.

H. T. Conner, son of William and Minerva (Layman)
Conner, was born in Frostburg, Maryland, 1883, married Marv
Bowers. Children, Cathaline, Mildred and William G.

Mr. Conner is proprietor of Elkins Bakery and Confec-
tioner}-, and has been a resident of Elkins since 1905.

C. L. CORDER.

C. L. Corder son of Elam G. and Martha ( Hodges) Cor-
der, was born in Upshur County in 1872, married Lula. daugh-
ter of Rev. C. B. and Marian (Maxwell) Meredith. Children.
Paul, Frances and Efrie.

Mr. Corder was educated in 'public schools, Buckhannon
Academy and graduated from West Virginia Business Col-
lege in 1893. After teaching school a number of years, he
came to Elkins and engaged in the insurance business. He is
now a member of the clerical force of the Western Maryland
Railroad Company at Elkins and also maintains an insurance
office.

A. Watt Curry.

A. Watt Curry, son of William H. and Marv (Wilson)
Curry, was born December 14, 1849, married Jennie, daughter
of James and Rachel (Davis) Movers. Child, Maud.

Mr. Curry was born at Rock Cave, Upshur County. Mr.
Curry is one of the substantial citizens of Beverlv. and has
a jewelry store on Main street. The Curry family was a pion-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 411

eer family in Augusta. James and Rebecca Curry, children
of William Curry, were baptised by Rev. John Craig, D.D., in
Augusta, in 1746. These names are in Rev. Craig's records
of baptism.

Gideon C. Corley.

Gideon C. Corley, son of N. E. and Louisa (Wilson) Cor-
ley, was born in 1840 in Barbour County, married Lydia
Thorn. Children, Edward, Henry, Stella, Dora, Garfield, Mer-
ta, and Lonna.

Mr. Corley was a member of the County Court of Bar-
bour County four years and justice of the peace eight years.
Mr. Corley attended the convention that nominated Abraham
Lincoln for first term.

Dr. James L. Cunningham.

James Lancashire Cunningham, born September 1, 1863,
Pittsburgh, Pa. ; graduated from high school of Belmont
County, Ohio, in 1881, and in medicine from the University
of Baltimore in 1892. Dr. Cunningham located in Pickens in
June of the same year where he has since engaged in the
practice of his profession. Dr. Cunningham is a son of John
and Selena (Cowell) Cunningham, who imigrated to America
in 1836, locating in Pittsburgh. At the age of 21, Dr. Cun-
ningham engaged in the profession of teaching and taught
many terms, leaving the profession to take up the study of
medicine as a student under Dr. John T. Huff. He was ap-
pointed enumerator of the census for Hackers Valley Dis-
trict, Webster County, in 1890. At present he is a member
of the Board of Education of Middle Eork District and is
surgeon for the B. & O. Railroad.

Dr. Cunningham married Mary, daughter of William and
Margaret (Reese) Roberts, in 1894, in the Pickens Presby-
terian church by Rev. Brooks, and have children, Mabel Ma-
rie and Ethel Selena. Dr. Cunningham has been successful
in his profession and owns a beautiful home overlooking the
town of Pickens. No physician in the State perhaps, serves
so large a clientele in a non-competitive field. Socially and
fraternally Dr. Cunningham has been a member of the Ma-
sonic and K. of P. orders for many years.

412 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Hon. Henry G. Davis.

Henry G. Davis. Henry G. Davis, second son of Caleb
and Louisa (Brown) Davis, was born November 16, 1823.
He was of Welch decent. He worked on a farm from early boy-
hood until he was 19 years of age. He then became a freight
brakesman on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between Bal-
timore and Cumberland. He was successively passenger con-
ductor and supervisor of trains.

At the age of 28 Mr. Davis married a daughter of Judge
Bantz, of Frederick, Maryland. In 1854 he was made agent
for the B. & O. at Piedmont. Soon thereafter, in partnership
with his brothers, Thomas B. Davis and Wm. R. Davis, he
engaged in business in shipping coal and lumber. Mr. Davis
also founded the towns of Deer Park and Keyser.

In 1866 Mr. Davis entered politics and was elected to
the Legislature. Two years later he was elected to the State
Senate. He succeeded Waitman T. Wiley in the United
States Senate in 1870, which position he held until 1883. He
was the leading spirit in the building of the C. I., C. & C.
and Western Maryland railroads.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis. Hallie,
Avho married S. B. Elkins; Kate, who married Lieutenant
Brown, and Grace, who married Arthur Lee ; and two sons,
Harry and John T. John T. Davis represented Randolph in
the Legislature in 1910-2.

In 1904 Mr. Davis was the vice-presidential candidate
with Judge Parker on the Democratic ticket.

Mr. Davis died in 1916.

A. E. Dann.

A. E., son of William Henry and Christina A. (Hannah)
Dann, was born in Kansas in 1877, married Eva (Hatfield)
W'ainer. Children, Martha and Dortha. Mr. Dann was edu-
cated in the public schools of Kansas. He is at present and
has several times previous represented his ward in the F lkin's
city council and is manager of the Elkins Furniture and
Hardware Company. His father, William H. Dann, came to
America from England in 1871. He was clerk of Grego Coun-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 413

ty, Kansas, in 1S85, and for a number of years has resided at
Beltsville, a suburb of Washington.

Ralph Darden.
Ralph Darden, son of Geo. G. Darden, was born in North
Carolina in 1867, married Ada May, daughter of E. C. Har-
wood. Mr. Darden was educated in the colleges of his native
State and entered upon the study of law, but defective eye-
sight precluded close application to study and Mr. Darden
engaged in business pursuits. Mr. Darden has been promi-
nent in the affairs of his adopted county. He was a member
of the city council in 1896.

Charles E. Dulaney.

Chas. E., son of J. L. and Mary (Cain) Dulaney, was born
February 9, 1875, married, first, Hedig, daughter of Mathas
and Ada Sulsi. Children, Roy, Franklin and Thamer.

The first wife of Mr. Dulaney died in 1901. Mr. Dulaney
for his second wife married Bessie M., daughter of David and
Mary Jane (Armstrong) Riffle. Children, Cecil, Charles, Nor-
val, Claude and Mary Louise. Mr. Dulaney was born in
Ritchie County and came to Randolph in 1894. He is of
French descent. For fifteen years he has held his present po-
sition of engineer of Pickens and Webster Springs Railroad.

William F. Doerr.
William F. Doerr, German descent, son of Henry and
Ida (Lessenger) Doerr, was born in Butler County, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1873, married Tda S. McCauly. Children, Roy I.
and Ralph M. Mr. Doerr came to Randolph in 1895 and for
nine years has been in the employ of the Gulland Clarke
Wholesale Grocery Company at Elkins.

Walter C. Dilworth.

Walter C. Dilworth, son of James G. and Alcinda (Rat-
liff) Dilworth, was born in Barbour County in 1879, married
Daisy, daughter of Newton Gibson. Children, Mamie L.,
Hersell L., Kent G., Wanda and Marie. Mr. Dilworth came
to Randolph in 1900. He is in the employ of the Elkins Elec-
tric Railway Company as conductor and motorman.

414 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Henry Clay Dean.
Henry Clay Dean. Henry Clay Dean was a native of Penn-
sylvania and came to Randolph when a young man. He
married a Miss Haigler of Valley Bend District. He taught
school, then became a minister of the Methodist church.
He moved to Missouri in about 1850. He soon gained prom-
inence and was elected Chaplain of the United States Senate,
which place he held for twelve years. He studied law and
gained a national reputation as a criminal lawyer. At one
time he was a candidate for the United States Senate from the
State of Missouri and only lacked three votes of election
against the combined opposition. The press commenting on
his defeat said he would have been elected, without opposi-
tion if he had donned a clean shirt at any time within six
weeks prior to the election.

During the Civil War Dean's oratorical battery was ever
on duty in behalf of the Southern cause and the Federal
Government was very anxious to get hands on the man who
was giving them more trouble than a regiment of soldiers.
His presence in Keokuk, Iowa, became known to the Federal
authorities and while he was upon the streets of that city,
some dark forms came out of the gloom and took Dean in
custody. Rapidly he was hurried up to the tall bluffs over-
looking the Mississippi River. A 100-foot drop and eternal
silence. It was a magnificient place for an execution — pic-
turesque, sublimely beautiful, fatal. The vitriol throwing
Southerner looked piteously around at the determined aveng-
ers, but read no compassion in their countenances. He raised
his hand.

"No speech," said the Captain peremptorily. He knew the
danger of that marvelous tongue. "Just a short prayer, Dean.
and then to the fishes."

"Thank you Captain," said the condemned, as if impress-
ed with the soldier's magnanimity, '*! have no speech to make,
nor will I take up your time to pray. I have only this to ask.''
He began fumbling in his pocket, seemed perplexed for a
moment as if something had been mislaid, and then brought
out an old fashioned Barlow knife and a leather pocket book.

"This knife. Captain," he said. "I would have sent to my

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 415

son, back on the old farm in Pntman County. I promised to

make him a kite when I got back home with it, but well,

I don't want to disappoint the lad, you know. He'll be ex-
pecting me tomorrow and will be down to the — the gate. Ex-
cuse me comrades, but I love the boy 1 can't help it."

The voice grew husky and the man under sentence of
death turned and looked out over the great river. Some of
the men shifted around to the rear.

"It's childish weakness, I know," resumed Dean, turning
his face toward the soldiers. "Don't mind it friends." The
Captain took the old knife sheepishly. "Now this book con-
tains an old picture of mine and some verses ; maybe a dollar
or two also. I don't think you'll regard it of much conse-
quence, but the dear angel back in old Missouri — my wife
gentlemen — the sweetest, truest, gentlest woman that ever
blessed the life of man ; I can see her now as she kneels be-
side her couch, praying to the God of the unfortunate to pro-
tect her husband and bring him safely back to the old roof
tree, where we've stood beside a cot over which the death
angel hovered, and where we walked arm in arm through the
clover fields to garland the grave of our dead. This is all I
can send her comrades— -I'm poor. But she'll prize it be-
yond the gift of kings. She'll— —why where are your men,
Captain? Come! I'm ready."

During Dean's pathetic reference to his wife the militia-
men had one by one slunk into the night shadows, leaving the
orator alone with the leader.

"Oh, they got tired and went home," said the Captain
wearily. "Dean if you and the devil ever meet my sympathy
will be with the gentleman of the forked tail."

Mr. Dean died in Missouri in 1886, aged 63 years.

Newton L. Downs.

Newton L. Downs, son of Wtn. H. and Elizabeth (Chis-
holm) Downs, was born October 26, 1874, in Flintstone, Md.
married, June 14, 1899, Minnie, daughter of \Y. F. and Ra
cheal McClaskey. Children, Genevieve, Walter and Julia.

Mr. Downs was educated in common schools. Has beex
an employe of Western Maryland for twentv years as opera-

416 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

tor and clerk at Coketon, Thomas and Mill Creek. Has been
a member of town council of Mill Creek and is at present pres-
ident of the Board of Education of Huttonsville District.

Hon. S. B. Elkins.

Hon. Stephen B. Elkins. Stephen B. Elkins was born in
Perry County, Ohio, on the 26th of September, 1841,
and died at Washington, D. C, January 5, 1911. During
the childhood of Mr. Elkins his father removed with his fam-
ily to the State of Missouri, where young Elkins attended
the public school and was fitted for college. Entering the
Missouri University, he graduated in 1860, at the age of eigh-
teen. He was admitted to the bar in 1863. "When the war
broke out he joined the Union forces and attained the rank
of Captain. In 1864, young Elkins removed to New Mexico,
where at that time dangers, hardships, and discomforts had
to be met and overcome, but along with these came opportu-
nities for success. Barely had the first year of his residence
elapsed when he was elected to the Territorial Legislature.
In 1867 he was made Attorney General of the Territory. In
1869, President Andrew Johnson made him United States At-
torney. After holding this place nearly four years, he re-
signed under the Grant administration.

Mr. Elkins was elected a Delegate in 1873 to represent
the Territory in the Forty-third Congress of the United
States. During Mr. Elkin's first term in Congress he visited
Europe and while abroad was re-elected for a second term
to the Forty-fourth Congress. In 1869 he became president
of the First National Bank of Santa Fe. While in Congress
he wedded Hallie, daughter of Senator H. G. Davis.

His greatest national prominence came to him during the
campaign of 1884, when he was chosen Chairman of the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the National Republican Committee.

In December, 1891, Mr. Elkins was nominated by Presi-
dent Harrison for Secretary of War to succeed Mr. Proctor.

Mr. Elkins' father, Col. P. D. Elkins, was a native of Vir-
ginia. His mother, Sarah (Withers) Elkins, was a member
of a prominent Virginia family. By his first wife Mr. Elkins
had two children, Mrs. A. E. Oliphant, of New Jersey, and

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 417

Mrs. E. E. Brunner, of New York City. By his second wife
Mr. Elkins had five children, four boys, Davis, Stephen B.,
Jr., Richard and Blaine, and one girl, Katherine.

In 1878 Mr. Elkins became a citizen of West Virginia
and associated himself with his father-in-law, Senator Davis,
in building- the West Virginia Central Railroad.

In 1895, January 2$, Mr. Elkins was elected as a Repub-
lican to represent West Virginia in the United States Senate.
He served continually until the time of his death in 1911.
His son, Davis Elkins, was appointed by Governor Glasscock
to till the unexpired term.

Enoch J. Evans.
Enoch J. Evans, born in Green County, Pennsylvania, in
1865, son of Alfred S. and Elizabeth (Brewer) Evans. He
came to Randolph in 1883, married Mary M., daughter of
Lovell and Phoeba (Taylor) Kelley. Children, H. B., Kent
T., Clyde R., Barron L. and Ray, who died in the seventeenth
year of his age. Mr. Evans has been a successful farmer and
fruit grower. He has been road commissioner twenty-two
of the thirty years he has resided in the county.

A. Ross Ellis.
A. Ross Ellis, son of Powell and Winnie Ellis, was born
in Braxton County, 1876, married Linnie May Dingess. Chil-
dren, Theron, Andrew, Wendel, Burl and Zudora. Mr. Ellis
came to Randolph in 1906 and since has been in the employ
of the Western Marvland Railroad as brakesman and con-
ductor.

John L. Eberly.

John L. Eberly, son of Wm. and Martha (Barnard) Eb-
erly, was born in Moorefield in 1873, married Lillian May
Weese. Children, Myron, Arthur Lee, John L., Jr. He is
proprietor of Eberly News Stand on Third Street.

Clay Fitzwater.
Clay Fitzwater, son of Nelson and Sarah (White) Fitz-
water, was born in 1854, married Anzina, daughter of Jacob
and Catherine (Phillips) Daniels. Children, Walter Nelson,

418 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Minnie, Clarence, Holland, Hattie, James, Herbert. Mr. Fitz-
water is descended from a prominent pioneer family of Gar-
rett County, Maryland. His brother, Rev. Holland Fitzwater,
is an able minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in Ohio,
filling some of the highest offices in the church.

H. F. Fisher.
H. F. Fisher, son of J. H. and H. E. (Simmons) Fisher,
was born in 1874, married Delia J. (Elliott) Johnson. Chil-
dren, Loula Grace and Mary Louisa. Mr. Fisher has been a
plumber in Elkins for eight years.

W. C. Fowler.

W. C. Fowler, son of Joseph C. and Margaret (Jones)
Fowler, was born in 1885, at Town Marlborough, Md., mar-
ried Tosa E. Brittan. Children, William Allan, George, Ben-
jamin, Margaret, W. C. Jr., died at age of four years. Mr.
Fowler has been proprietor of a tailoring establishment in
Elkins since 1913.

Dellas Gainer.

Delias Gainer, son of Matthew Gainer, is one of Randolph
County's best products. As a young man he was employed
in the paymaster's office of the West Virginia Central Rail-
road in Elkins. In 1909 he entered professional baseball,
joining the Grafton (W. Ya.) team, where his excellent play-
ing attracted the attention of the Detroit managers of the
American League. He was purchased from the Grafton
management in the fall of 1909 for $1500.00, and finished the
season with Detroit, assisting that team to win the league
championship, and participated in the World's series against
the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 1910 Dell played with the Ft. Wayne Club, of the
Central League, but was taken back to Detroit in 1911. That
year he was the baseball sensation until he had his right arm
broken, which practically kept him out of the game the re-
mainder of that season. At the time of his injury he was bat-
ting for an average of .376.

In 1913 he was sold to the Boston Red Socks, of the
same league, for $75000, and is still a member of that team,

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 419

his batting average being .317. In 1915 he participated in the
World's series against the Philadelphia National League team,
assisting his club materially in winning the championship.

By his consistent performance in his chosen profession,
by his modest, unassuming, clean living, Mr. Gainer has a
host of friends in every city he visits as a professional ball
player, and, above all, is honored by the people of his home
city and county.

Geo. E. G REYNOLDS.

George E., son of Joseph and Rowana (Blair) Greynolds,
was born in Harrison County in 1851, married in 1876, Verna
M., daughter of John D. and Rachel (Dawson) Romine, of
Harrison County. Children, Delbert L., Joseph, Alary C,
John D. and Robert Lee. Mrs. Greynolds, Mary C. and Jo-
seph are deceased.

Mr. Greynolds has been justice of the peace of Beverly
District for a number of years. Rev. Robert Greynolds is a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal church.

S. H. Godwin.

S. H. Godwin, son of William S. and Mary (Cox) Godwin,
was born in Barbour County in 1858. The first wife of Mr.
Godwin was Sarah M. Gainer, and the children of this union
were Raymond, Morris, Dennis, Austin and Belva Alice.
Some years after the death of his first wife Mr. Godwin united
in marriage Miss Nancy E. Phillip. To them were born Ora
Maude, Martha Effie, Stark Daily, Cleet Durkin and Prentiss
Page. Mr. Godwin taught school for several years, was jus-
tice of the peace in Tucker eight years. He was elected jus-
tice of the peace in Barbour in 1904 but resigned to come to
Elkins to become manager of Elkins Marble and Granite
Works.

Albert Gear.

Albert Gear, son of Adam and Frances (Shifflett) Gear,
was born in 1871 at Huttonsville, married Laura, daughter of
John and Jane (Smith) Herron. Children, Lela, Ethel, Ar-
thur Sewel, Phelix, Nora, George and Adaline. Mr. Gear is
of Irish descent and his parents moved from Virginia to West
Virginia before the Civil War. Austin Gear was the first ot

420 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

the name to come to Randolph. The maternal grandfather,
Absalom Shifflett, was the first of the Shifflett family to lo-
cate in Randolph. Mr. Gear is a merchant at Mill Creek. Mr.
Gear takes an active part in religious affairs and is an elder
in the Presbyterian church.

Albert R. Hicks.

Albert R., son of Franklin and Mary Hicks, was born
April 13, 1879; married first Margaret, daughter of John and
Socia (Gladwell) Rothenbughler. Children, James Earle and
Mary May. Mrs. Hicks died November 5, 1907. Mr. Hicks
married for his second wife Nancy, daughter of Casper and
Ida (Morgan I Winkler. Children, Casper Albert, Nancy Ida,
Jesse Woodrow and Thadeus Cunningham. Mr. Hick's par-
ents moved to Randolph from Braxton in 1888. The Hicks
are of English descent and the family moved to West Virginia
from the mother state before the Civil War.

AVickham Hansford.

Acra and Katie (Wimer) Hansford came to Randolph
from Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1820, and settled in
what was then Randolph but is now Tucker County. Their
children were William, Mary, Wesley, John, David, Charles,
Levi, Sarah and Julia. Chas. S. Hansford first married Sarah
Allender. Children, Katherine, who married David Canfield.
Married, second Amanda Hyre : no children to this union.
For his third wife Mr. Hanford married Amanda (Conrad)
Curtis. Children, Laban, Wickham, Walter and Corder, who
died young.

Walter A. Hedrick.

Walter A. Hedrick, son of J. C. and Martha (Berkely)
Hedrick, was born in 1881, in Pendleton County, West Vir-
ginia. Mr. Hedrick never married. He has traveled exten-
sively in south and west and was engaged in the real estate
business in Florida for several years. In partnership with his
brother, Frederick R. Hedrick, he is engaged in the restau-
rant business in Elkins.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 421

Reuben H. Howell.

•

Reuben H. Howell, son of Andrew and Frances (Rains)
Howell, was borrl in 1860; married Yerna, daughter of Eu-
genis Isner. Children, Harley and Mary. Some years after
the death of his first wife, Mr. Howell choose his second wife
in the person of Mrs. Jones, of Barbour County. Mr. Howell
is is an employee of the Western Maryland Railroad.

Howard Harmon.

Howard Harmon, son of Samuel and Eva (Bible) Har-
mon, was bom in 1871 ; married a daughter of Jacob and Su-
san (McDonald) Harper. Children, Neal, Handy and Cor-
nell. Mr. Harmon has been a merchant at Harmon eight
years and was at one time elected mayor of the village, but
refused to serve. When 18 years of age Mr. Harmon drove
a wagon from Summer County, Kansas, to Randolph, a dis-
tance of 1800 miles, and was ten weeks on the journey.

Geo. W. Hinchman.

George W. Hinchman, son of Joseph and Caroline (Rif-
fle) Hinchman, was born in 1872; married Lottie L., daughter
of John Haddan and Mary E. (Shuffiet) Pritt. Children, Ster-
ling W., Wilford and Clay. Mr. Hinchman has been a resi-
dent of Elkins about ten years. He is mail porter for Coal
& Coke and Western Maryland railroads.

Joseph C. Hedrick.

Joseph C. Hedrick, son of Leonard Hedrick, was born in
Pendleton in 1848; married Martha Beckly. Mr. Hedrick
came to Randolph in 1883. He is the grandson of Frederick
Hedrick, who immigrated from Germany to Pendleton County,
Virginia, in the pioneer period.

Andrew Hedrick.

Andrew, son of Adam C. and Rachael (Davis) Hedrick,
was born in 1874, married Virginia, daughter of Michael and
Catherine (Turner) Hedrick. Children, Bertha F., Ethel M.,
Thomas B., Merril G., Iva and Elaura. Mr. Hedrick was jus-
tice of the peace in 1908-12, and mayor of Whitmer, 1912-15.

422 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

John W. Heltzel.
John W. Heltzel and Cora (Johnson) Heltzel moved to
Randolph from Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1885. Chil-
dren, Jas. P., John W., Jr., Mona C, Glen D., Dona M., Con-
nie M., Thomas P., Perry R., Xina, Bruce W'oodrow and
Mary E. who died at the age of three years.

James P. Heltzel.

Jas. P. Heltzel was horn in 1886, married Eliza (Seitz)
Robinson. Children, Lillian Wanda and Cane Keith. He has
been deputy sheriff since 1908.

Herman G. Johnson.

Herman G. Johnson, born in Barbour County in 1875, son
of Levi and Helen A. (Poling) Johnson, was educated in
public schools, Fairmont Normal, Peabody Xormal College,
Nashville, Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee. After
teaching school several years, he entered the field of journal-
ism and accepted a place on the editorial staff of the Nash-
ville American. Air. Johnson has been editor of the Inter-
mountain since 1898.

Charles T. Jeffers.
Charles T. Jeffers, son of James C. and Sarah N. (Math-
ews) Jeffers, was born in 1884 in Monongalia County: mar-
ried Carrie, daughter of Hamilton and Sarah C. (Schoonover)
Isner. Children, Ruth H. and Sarah Margaret. Mr. Jeffers
has been clerk in Elkin's postoffice for ten years.

Wayne Jackson.

Wayne Jackson, son of Geo. S. and Jessie (Faun) Jack-
son, was born in 1893, in Salem, West Virginia. Mr. Jack-
son was educated in public schools and Davis & Elkins Col-
lege. He is employed* as bookkeeper for Peoples Hardware
Co. at Elkins. He came to Randolph in 1905.

Judge Warren B. Kittle.
Judge Warren B. Kittle. In the legal profession the man
who rises to a position of prominence by his own efforts must
necessarily possess more than ordinary ability. This is espec-

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 423

iallv true in a community where his competitors are learned
and abled men. A man of this class is Judge Warren B. Kit-
tle of Philippi. Although a resident of another county, he is
identified with Randolph by his lineage, his association at our
bar, and by his official position. By descent and intermarriage
Judge Kittle possesses the same strain of blood with most of
the old families of Randolph County.

The first of the Kittle family of Randolph and
Barbour counties was Abraham Kittle, Sr., who was born in
New Jersey in January, 1731, and died in Randolph County,
September 16, 1816. The exact date is not now known when
Abraham Kittle, Sr., settled in Randolph, but it was prior to
1781, for a deed of record bearing that date, shows he acquired
lands here in that year; and other records testify that mem-
bers of his family took part in defending the community
against the Indians about the same time. The children of
Abraham Kittle, Sr., were Abraham, Jr., Richard, Jacob,
George, John and a daughter who married Henry Pedro.

Judge Kittle is a direct descendent of Abraham Kittle,
Jr., who was born in Randolph County, February 18, 1773,
and married Margaret Marteney, and died April 17, 1814.
His children were James, born January 6, 1803, died April 9,
1839; Mary, who married a Mr. Skidmore, was born July 30,
1795, died September 5, 1849; Elizabeth, married a Mr. Yates,
was born March 29, 1804, died December 10, 1850; George,
born July 20, 1809, date of death unknown; Ellenor married
Mr. Holder, born January 7, 1798, date of death unknown ,
Prudence, married Mr. Holden, born April 24, 1801, date of
death unknown; Elijah, born December 24, 1796, and died in
1856; and Eli, born January 6, 1800, died November 12, 1863.
Elijah Kittle was the father of six children, Cyrus, Amasa,
Dayid, Hulda, Harriet, Sallie, Louise and Emaline. Cyrus
Kittle was the father of George M. Kittle, who was the father
of Judge Warren B. Kittle.

Judge Kittle was born December 23, 1872, was educated
in the common schools and the West Virginia University
where he graduated with the degree of LL.B. in June, 1894,
since which time he has been constantly in the practice of
the law. He was married June 30, 1897, to Zona Wilson, and

424 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

is the father of three children, Virginia, born in 1898, Nellie,
born in 1900, George born in 1904.

Judge Kittle was elected prosecuting attorney of Bar-
bour County in 1904, served four years ; was appointed Judge
of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit by Governor Glasscock on
May 24, 1911, to fill the newly created Barbonr-Randolph
Circuit : was elected in 1912, for a term of eight years as Judge
of said circuit by 1167 majority, and has served as judge ever
since. Judge Kittle is known as an incessant student, and
owns one of the largest law libraries in the state. He takes
great interest in and devotes his entire time to his profession ;
is the author of two well known law books, and is a member of
the American Bar Association.

Hon. H. GT. Kump.

Herman G. Kump, son of Benjamin Franklin and Frances
Margaret (Rudolph) Kump, was born at Capon Springs,
Hampshire County, West Virginia, October 31, 1879. He was
educated in the public schools and the University of Virginia
from which institution he graduated in 1903. In 1905 he re-
ceived the degree of B.L. from the law department of the
University of Virginia, and was admitted to the Randolph
County bar the same year. He has served as prosecuting at-
torney since 1908. Mr. Kump married in 1907, Edna, daugh-
ter of C. H. and Fanny (Logan) Scott. Children, Cyrus Scott
and Frances. Mr. Kump's father, B. F. Kump, was a soldier
in the Confederate Army, his grandfather, Jacob Kump, was
a solider in the War of 1812, and his great grandfather, Henry
Kump, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War from Virginia.

Hon. N. G. Keim.

Noah G. Keim was born in 1862, Elk Lick, Pennsylvania ;
son of Silas C. and Annie (Arnold) Keim. Mr. Keim was ed-
ucated in the public schools and at Ashland College, Ohio and
Juniatti College, Pennsylvania. He entered the profession of
teaching and for a number of years was principal of the Som-
merset, Pennsylvania schools. He came to Elkins as tutor
for the sons of .Senator Elkins. He has been a Republican
in politics and was presidential elector on the McKinley

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 425

ticket. lie represents the Thirteenth Senatorial District in
the State Legislature. Senator Keirn was the Progressive
party's nominee for Congress in 1914.

Senator Keim married Clara, daughter of Kennedy H.
and Sarah E. (Rizer) Butler. Children, Howard H. and Eliz-
abeth. Senator Keim's grandfather, James J. Keim, was an
early settler in Western Pennsylvania. He was a member of
the State Legislature and was for many years one of the
judges of the court.

Leland Kittle.

Leland, son of Eli and Rebecca (Weese) Kittle, was born
January 28, 1846; married Mary Margaret, daughter of James
and Rachael (Davis) Movers, in 1873. Children, Ruth Morgan,
a graduate of Mary Baldwin Seminary, Staunton, Virginia.
She is a member of the D. A. R. and W. D. C. From 1873 to
1878 Mr. Kittle' was clerk of the Circuit Court of Randolph,
and was admitted to the bar in 1879. His father, Eli Kittle,
was justice of the peace and member of the County Court.

Orville E. Kerr.

Orville E., son of William B. and Mary E. (Burnside)
Kerr, was born in 1880; married Jessie L. (Spanaugle) Lank.
Children, Martha E., Oscar W., Uniah and Cretus. Mr.
Kerr resides at Bemis and is an employe of the Bemis Lum-
ber Company.

J. E. Kildow.

J. E. Kildow, son of Michael V. and Mary (Root) Kildow,
was born in 1862, German ancestry, married, Minnie, daugh-
ter of Benoni Jordan. Children, Edna, William LaVelle, Eu-
nice and Beulah. Mr. Kildow is a newspaper man of extensive
experience. He has edited the Kingwood Argus, Randolph En-
terprise and other newspapers. He is an ordained minister
in the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Kildow was the
first active propagandist in the Socialist movement in Ran-
dolph County.

Isaac S. Kimmell.

Isaac S. Kimmell, son of Adam and Lucinda (Shirk)
Kimmell, wras born in Pendleton in 1870; married Melcena

426 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

T., daughter of Christian and Amanda (Jefferson) Bowers.
Children, Estella, Howard and Myrtle. Hammond died in
childhood. He has been in the lumber business for fourteen
years.

L. H. Keen an.
L. H. Keenan, Irish descent, son of John Payne and
Alary (Lazelle) Keenan, was born in 1854: married Irene
Donnelly of Albany, X. Y. Air. and Airs. Keenan have one
child, J. Ed. Keenan. Air. Keenan was educated in public
schools and Alt. Alorris Academy. He graduated from the
law department of the State University in 1887. Prior to
coming to Elkins in 1892, Air. Keenan practiced law four years
at Wichita, Kansas. He has a predilection for political eco-
nomics but has refused to become a candidate for public of-
fice, and is a Progressive in his political affiliations. He wields
a trenchant pen.

B. F. Knaggs.
Benjamin F. Knaggs, son of John R. and Alary (Alath-
ews) Knaggs, was born in Taylor Count}- in 1880; married
Bessie Talbott Newlon. Children, Hazel E. and Owlan.
Air. Knaggs is a freight conductor on the Western Alarv-
land Railroad.

Cam Lloyd.

Cam Lloyd, son of James Aladison and Louisa (Aimes)
Lloyd, was born April 9, 1860; married Alaggie, daughter of
James AlcGuire. Children, Annie F. and Tolbard. Louisa
died in infancy. Air. Lloyd lived in Pittsburgh thirteen years.
The Lloyds are of English ancestry ; the first of the name in
America settled at Jamestown. The present generation is the
sixth in America. Air. Lloyd came to Randolph with his par-
ents in 1866. Louisa was the home county in the mother
state of Air. Lloyd's parents. Air. Lloyd was a member of the
town council of Alill Creek from its incorporation until he was
promoted to the mayoralitv in 1914.

H. Grant Lucas.
H. Grant Lucas, son of Joseph P. and Eliza J. Lucas, was
born at Brooksville, Pennsylvania, 1869. Children, Joseph P.,
Jr., Frank Philip, Alary Edith and Gertrude. Air. Lucas has

A HISTORY OP RANDOLPH COUNTY 427

been a resident of the county since 1896, during- which time
lie has been superintendent of the Parsons Pulp and Lumber
Company, and lias actively identified himself with the inter-
ests of his adopted county. Air. Lucas received his education
in tlie public schools of Brookeville.

Martin Lantz.

Marian Lantz, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Radabaugh)
Lantz, was born June 6, 1859; married first, Sarah Radabaugh.
Children, Lee Roy, Martha Jane and Julia Ann. Married,
second, Martha Jane, (Heavener) Ward. Children, Lloyd,
B. F., Albina, Ellen Bettie, Nora Odella, Everett; Kinsy
died aged one year and Zona died in the eighteenth year of her

age.

George Casselman Long.

George Casselman Long, son of Washington J. and Polly
(Hutton) Long, was born January 20, 1843; married Malissa
Ellen, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Slagel) Phares.
Children, Catherine, Anna Grace, O'Brien Branch and Carl
are dead. The children living are W. J. Long, A. B. Long
and George Ann, wife of Robert L. Pritt. Mr. Long's
grandfather was George Long and his grandmother was
Sarah Casselman. The Long family is of German descent
and came to this country from Lancaster County, Pennsyl-
vania. A. B. Long married Russel, daughter of Z. T. Wams-
ley. W. J. Long married Evangeline, daughter of Webster
Wamsley. Grandchildren, Ruby, daughter of R. L. Pritt, and
Wilson J. and Gertrude, children of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Long.
Mrs. G. C. Long died in 1915. AW J. Long was county super-
intendent of schools of Randolph several terms.

Lindley B. McLaughlin.

Lindley B. McLaughlin, son of R. M. and Susan, (Gille-
land) McLaughlin, was born in 1861, in Pennsylvania; mar-
ried in 1878 to Sarah, daughter of Robert Boyer. Children,
Levy E., Robert M., Annie E., who married Roy Davis, Or-
lando D., Wilbur R. and Roy R. Mr. McLaughlin came to
West Virginia in 1892. He has been justice of the peace of

428 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Beverly District and is one of the Democratic nominees for
that office at the present time.

Levi Wilmoth McQuain.
Levi Wilmoth McQuain, son of Joshua and Mary Ann
(Leary) McQuain, was born in 1864; married in 1891 Mary
Elizabeth, daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Pritt) Hill.
Children, Lutie, Hiram W., Elam Dowden. Mr. McQuain
was constable in 1892 and has served several terms as assessor
and deputy assessor.

Patrick F. Martin.

Patrick F. Martin, son of James and Anna (Cain) Mar-
tin, was born in Baltimore in 1862 ; married Mary, daughter
of Edward and Catherine Cogan. Children, Harry, James,
Francis, Eleanor, Eileen, Ann and Edward. Edward died in
infancy. Mr. Martin came to Randolph when a year old. He
is janitor of the Randolph county court house and owns val-
uable land in the Roaring: Creek coal belt.

'S=

Alexander Miller.

Alexander Miller, son of Christian and Margaret (Smith)
Miller, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1855;
married Mary Ellen, daughter of Charles and Homer (Mar-
tin) Fletcher. Children, Guy, Emmett, Pearl, Charles, Carl
and Espy. Mr. Miller came to Randolph in 1896. He has
been a resident of Mill Creek fourteen years and is at pres-
ent an employe of the Wilson Lumber Company.

B. Frank Miller.
B. Frank Miller, son of B. B. and Amanda (O'Rouke)
Miller, was born in Harrisburg, Virginia, in 1870; married
Virginia (Hoover) Smith. Children, Charles, Olive, Lessie,
Lillie, Mary, Georgia, Minnie, Lucile, Elsie, who died at the
age of five. Mr. Miller is now foreman in the mill of the Par-
sons Pulp and Lumber Co.

John D. Moore.
John D., son of G. M. and Sarah A. (Simmons) Moore,
was born in 1886; married Annie L., daughter of George and

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 429

Elizabeth (Simpson) Beatty. Children, Maud, George, Fan-
nie, Ralph, Edgar, Gladdis, Harry, Irene and Walter who died
in infancy. Air. Moore is superintendent of Alton Mill at Mill
Creek. He is of English descent. Wood Moore, the paternal
grandfather, moved to Mingo District from Botetot County,
Virginia, in about 1800. Joseph Moore, a brother of Wood
Moore, came with him.

Earle Morrison.

Earle Morrison, son of Jerome and Susan (Heck) Morri-
son, was born at Buckhannon, West Virginia, May 9, 1879;
married Lizzie, daughter of John and Kate Winger. Chil-
dren, Harry, Hazel, Mabel, Helen and Willard. Mr. Morri-
son holds a responsible position with the Laurel River Lum-
ber Co., Jenningston, West Virginia. Mrs. Morrison is a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winger, who were members of the
Swiss Colony at Helvetia. Mrs. Morrison died March, 1916.

H. L. Manning.

H. L. Manning, son of J. A. Zerniah (Jefferson) Manning,
was born in 1877 at Moundsville, West Virginia; married
Chloe Failor. Children, Joseph, Robert and Helen. Mr.
Manning was the nominee of the Republican party for county
clerk in 1914-15, and more than carried the strength of his
party. He was a member of the city council 1914-15. Mr.
Manning's mother was a Jefferson and a distant relative of
the author of the Declaration of Independence.

Captain Jacob Williamson Marshall.

Captain Jacob Williamson Marshall. Captain Jacob W.
Marshall was born April 6, 1830, at Cairo, Ritchie County,
West Virginia. He was the son of Joseph and Hannah
(McKinney) Marshall. William Marshall, the paternal grand-
father, lived in Xew York and was a brother of the renowned
Chief Justice John Marshall. The names Williamson and
Piatt in the Marshall family came down from John Piatt, who
married Jane Williamson March 27, 1863. He lived at Tren-
ton, New Jersey, and was high sheriff of Middlesex. They
had five children, Jane, Frances, William and Catherine.

430

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Frances moved to Virginia and married William McKinney,
and their daughter, Hannah, was the mother of Captain [Mar-
shall.

In 1855, Capt. Marshall married Georgiana, daughter of
George and Mary See. They were the parents of nine chil-
dren. Joseph, Dixie, Mary E., Piatt, Cecil E., Ligon, Adam,
Lucy and Arthur. Mrs. Marshall was the granddaughter of

CAPTAIN JACOB W. MARSHALL.

Michael See, who with his brother George, came at an early
day to Randolph from Hardy County. Mrs. Marshall died
May 6, 1888, aged 56 years.

At the age of 20 years, Captain Marshall sought higher
altitudes for the benefit of his health and came to Randolph.
For a time he clerked in the store of William Hamilton and
then engaged in the mercantile business on his own account.
He later retired to give his exclusive attention to his exten-
sive landed estate. At the opening of hostilities between the

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 431

states, Captain Marshall entered the service of his native
state. For a time he was scout and guide for General R. E.
Lee in his campaign in the Upper Valley. In 1862 he or-
ganized a company and was elected its captain. This com-
pany was attached to the Nineteenth Regiment, YY\ L. Jack^
son's Brigade. His command took part in the engagements
at Strasburg, Winchester, Monocacy and Fishers Hill, where
he was severely wounded in the righ lung from the effects ot
which he never fully recovered. Although a captain, he fre-
quently commanded his regiment. In battle he was cool,
daring and resourceful with many of the other qualities of
the great soldier. He was particularly kind and thoughtful
of the poor soldiers in his company, who had families at home
and granted them furloughs at every available opportunity.
He was never a candidate for office but held the position of
deputy collector of internal revenue under Cleveland's ad-
ministration.

Samuel Mullenix.

Samuel Mullenix, son of William and Susan (Teter) Mul-
lenix, was born in 1879: married Stellar M., daughter of Job
and Sarah (White) Smith. Children, Grover C, William G.,
Preston, Galden II. (dead). Hoy A. (died, aged 11) and Mar-
ven G. (died, aged 4). Mr. Mullenix is an employe of the Par-
sons Pulp and Lumber Company at Horton.

Martin Mullenix.

Martin, son of John \\ '. and Katherine (Judy) Mullenix,
was born in 1865. Children, Dixon, Lena, Stella, Charles, Lil-
lie, Yallie, Kenna, Martin and Rachael. Mr. Mullenix is one
of the most extensive farmers and stockraisers of his section.

William Morrison.

William Morrison, son of John L>. and Sidney ( Wamsley)
Morrison, was born in 1867; married in 1896 to Hattie, daugh-
ter of Riley and Catherine (Channell) Pritt. Children, Byron
and Hattie. Mr. Morrison's father, John B. Morrison, was a
man of influence and prominence for many years in Randolph,

432 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

and served several terms as clerk of the Circuit Court. Mr.
Morrison is at present proprietor of a hotel in Beverly and
has been a successful business man.

J. G. Nestor.
J. G. Xestor, son of Jacob J. and Rachel (Poling) Nestor,
was born in Barbour County in 1870; married Ida B., daugh-
ter of Andrew and Ida B. (Ward) Taylor. Children, Ersell
G., Margaret and Edna Lee. Mr. Xestor came to Randolph
in 1890. He is a photographer on Randolph Avenue.

George H. Neal.
George H., son of John and Lucina I (McConaughyt
Neal, was born September 20, 1878, in Birmingham, Ohio;
married Susie P., daughter of Graham and Nettie (McClearyi
Buchanan. Children, Winifred Louise, born May 8, 1914. Mr.
Neal was educated in the public schools and graduated from
Ohio Northern Lniversity in 1901 in the department of phar-
macy. He came to West Virginia in 1904 and located in El-
kins in 1906. Mr. Neal has drug stores at Elkins and Mill
Creek. Dr. Neal's ancestors were among the early settlers
of the Buckeye State, moving there from Virginia.

Charles W. Parrish.
Chas. W. Parrish, son of Richard G. and Julia (Zernian)
Parrish. was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1875:
married Marv Bell, daughter of George and Mary (Hill I Chen-
oweth. Children, Sylvan G., Eva M. and Carl W. Mr. Par-
rish came to Randolph in 1897 since which time he has been
in the employ of the Western Maryland Railroad as engineer.
He was in the 1915 wreck, on the Blackwater grade, in which
some of his companions lost their lives and with serious in-
jury narrowlv escaped with his own.

James Pickens.

James, voungest son of James and Rachael (Talbott)
Pickens, was born at Dufne, Lewis County, December 29,
1840, and died in Randolph, December 2, 1912. Mr. Pickens's
ancestors were among the early residents of Barbour County.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

433

this state. He married Miss Alary (Hamilton) Heavener of
Bath County, Virginia. Some years subsequent to her death,
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary (Horner) Vander-

MR. JAMES PICKENS.

434 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

vort, of Weston, Lewis County, who survives him and occu-
pies the beautiful Pickens Homestead near the town which
bears his name. Both marriages were without issue.

Mr. Pickens made some improvements on his holdings
in Randolph in the fifties, but did not move to the county un-
til 1868. He was a leading spirit in the location of the Swiss
Colony at Helvetia and Florence and was largely instrumental
in the building of the railroad from Buckhannon to Pickens,
and was a director of the road before it was absorbed by the
B. & O. He brought the first steam saw mill to the county in
1873.

Mr. Pickens served through the war of the rebellion as a
member of Company A Tenth West Virginia Volunteer In-
fantry. Mr. Pickens was a leader in the development of the
southwestern part of the county and the prosperous town
which was named for him stands as a monument to his en-
terprise and ability.

John W. Poling.

John W. Poling, son of Sanford and Seyerna (Jones) Po-
ling, was born in Barbour County in 1873 ; married Selma A.
Hill in 1903. They have no children. Mr. Poling is engaged
in the mercantile business in Elkins.

Sampson Pexxixgton.

Sampson Pennington, son of V. R. and Phoeba (Flani-
gan ) Pennington, was born in Harmon, West Virginia, in
1867; married Christina, daughter of John W. and Emil
(Lantz) Thompson. Mr. Pennington has been constable of
Dry Fork Districk for six years.

David T. Probst.

David T. Probst, German descent, son of Levi and Cath-
erine (Weiner) Probst, was born in Pendleton County in 1859;
married Mary J. Lambert. Children, Birdie C, Alice, Mattie
S. and Lucie J. Mr. Probst married Louise H. Lambert for
second wife. Mr. Probst has been a resident of Randolph
since 1883.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 435

Herbert E. Quick.

Herbert E., son of William Henry and Polina Ann
(Strickland) Quick, was born in Valley Bend District in 1880;
married Lula Savannah, daughter of C. P. and Esta (Lrye)
Gatrell. Children, Ernest Doyle, Algie Elane, William Hugh,
Mildred Geneva, Lonnie Herbert and Charles Eugenia. Mr
Quick is of English ancestry and the family moved to Ran-
dolph from Virginia in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Quick with
their children were enroute from Nelson County, Va., to Iowa.
While passing through Randolph Mr. Quick was taken sick
and the trip was abandoned and they made Randolph their
permanent home.

Scott G. Ringer.

Scott G. Ringler, son of Cyrus E. and Columbia C. (Bart-
tell) Ringler, was born .in Grafton, West Virginia, in 1883;
married Mary J. Conley. One child, John J., has been the re-
sult of this union. Mr. Ringler is the manufacturer of the fa-
mous Ringler stogies and is also engaged in a general mer-
cantile business. He came to Randolph in 1908.

William G. Rains.

Win, G. Rains, son of J. F. and Ellen (Sites) Rains,
was born in Pendleton County in 1879; married Rosie, daugh-
ter of John and Virginia (Rains) Thompson. They had one
child, Caroline. Mr. Rains has taught several terms in the
public schools of Randolph.

Martin J. Roy.

Martin J. Roy, son of Adam R. and Margaret (Carr) Roy,
was born in 1875; married Zadie (McDonald) Cooper. Chil-
dren, Herbert, Byron, Ernest and Ralph. Howard died in
infancy. Mr. Roy has been a merchant at Harmon seven-
years. He was the Republican party's candidate for deputy
sheriff in 1910.

Thomas C. Russell.
Thomas C, son of Chas. W. and Mary E. (Collett) Rus-
sell, was born August 17. 1868; married Nannie, daughter of
W. H. and Polina (Strickland) Quick. Mr. Rnssell married

436 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Nannie, daughter of Geo. W. and Sarah (Crickard) McCall
for his second wife. Children of first marriage, Willa L. and
Clarence. Children of second marriage, Stanley Hugh, Ida
Marie, Grace, Georgia, Helen, Missouri and Thomas C. Jr.
Chas. W. Russell, father of Thomas C, moved from Win-
chester, Virginia, to Randolph at an early day. He was a
man of influence and prominence in the community. Mr. Rus-
sell's mother was a sister of Dr. William Collett, the noted
surgeon of Beverly before the Civil War.

Clay C. Rosencranse.

Clay C, son of Jesse and Mary (Riggleman) Rosencranse,
was born in 1887 ; married Lena, daughter of Albert Gear. Mr.
Rosencranse is one of the owners of the Tygarts Valley Flour-
ing Mill near Mill Creek. This mill .is located on the site of
one of the first mills in the county owned by Wm. Cur-
rence, who was killed by the Indians. Mill Creek was then
called Currences Mill Creek. Mr. Rosencranse is a descend-
ant of Hezekiah Rosencranse, who was one of the first trus-
tees of the town of Beverly. He first located in what is now
known as the Caplinger settlement and is buried in the Bap-
tist burying ground on the east side of the river near Arnold
Station.

J. G. S. Shaffer.

J. G. S. Shaffer, son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Har-
dest}') Shaffer, was born in Preston County, Virginia, in 1843 ;
married Christina S. Nine in 1863. Children, Sarah J., Pearl,
Bessie M., Clinton C, Verba (deceased), Lawrence (deceas-
ed), Harold (deceased). Mr. Shaffer came to Randolph in
1891. With the exception of three. or four years he has been
in the service of the city of Elkins since coming to this county.
He has served as assessor, street commissioner and as police-
man.

Squire M. M. Smith.

Milton M. Smith, son of Abram W. and Caroline (Mi-
chael) Smith, was born in 1859 in Grant County ; married Fan-
nie G., daughter of Henry and Sophronia (Iman) Thalaker.
Children, Boyd, Milford and Helen Irene. Mr. Smith came

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 437

to Elkins in 1889 and was the first recorder of the city. He
was postmaster of Elkins under Grover Cleveland and is now
justice of the peace of Leadsville District.

Hon. Howard Sutherland.

Howard, son of John Webster and Julia P. (Reavis)
Sutherland, was born in Kirkland, Missouri, September 8,
1865. He was educated in the schools of St. Louis and re-
ceived the degree of A.B. from West Minister College, Fulton,
Missouri, in 1889. He was editor of Daily Republican, Ful-
ton, Missouri, one year. He was chief of the Population Di-
vision of Census Department from 1890-3. From 1903 to 1912
he was employed by the Davis and Elkins interests and made
his home in Elkins. He was State Senator from 1908 to 1912,
when he was elected Congressman at large ; was Congress-
man at large from 1912-16, when he received the Republican
nomnation for United States Senate. Mr. Sutherland married
at Fulton, Missouri, May 2S, 1889, Effie, daughter of James
B. and Lucy (Crockrell) Harris. Children, Natalie, Richard
K., Virginia, Katharine, Margaret Lindsay, Maria Elizabeth.
Four children died in infancy. Mr. Sutherland was elected
to the U. S. Senate.

RUFUS SWECKER.

Rufus, son of Charles and Adelphia (Currence) Swecker,
was born in 1902; married Jessie, daughter of George New-
house. Mr. Swecker is a member of the family that moved
to Randolph from Pocahontas and settled on the west side in
Mingo District.

Frank Seitz.

Frank Seitz, son of Frederick and Josephine Seitz, Ger-
man ancestry, was born in Williamsburg, New York, in 1869:
married Clementine Edwards. Children, Frances, Eunice and
Franklin. One daughter, Rose, died aged 6 years. Mr. Seitz
came to Elkins in 1900 and is a bricklayer by trade.

William A. Sturms.

William A., son of L. D. and Annie M. (Stephens) Sturms,
was born in Calhoun County, West Virginia, in 1866; married

438 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Louisa (Price) Sturms. Children, D. H., Ada, Jessie, Otto,
Dewey, Lula, Russell, Merrill, Jeraldine and Ruth. Mr. Sturms
came to Randolph in 1889. He is a track foreman on the West
Virginia Southern Railroad at Job.

Lemuel Sturm.

Lemuel Sturm, son of David and Rebecca (Moore)
Sturm, was born January 25, 1827 ; married first, Matisonia
Martin. Mr. Sturms married second, Miss Ida Yokum. By
his first marriage the following children were born : W. T.,
Carrie Keighron, Lourena, Minnie, Maud, Charles R., died
aged 27. Mr. Sturm came to Randolph in 1894. The name is
German in its origin. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Sturm,
immigrated to America prior to the Revolution and settled
in what is now Marion County, but then a part of Mononga-
lia County. Mr. Sturm was mayor of Mill Creek in 1908.
Notwithstanding his advanced age Mr. Sturm retains his men-
tal faculties to a marked degree.

Hon. E. D. Talbott.

Elam Dowden Talbott, son of William Woodford and
Sarah (Simons) Talbott, was born in Barbour County, No-
vember 8, 1857; married June 15, 1886, Lutie Lee, daughter of
S. N. and Florence A. (Brown) Bosworth. Children, Eva
Bosworth, who married E. O. Fling; Marguerite, who married
B. F. Downing; Eugenia Arnold, who married James Baker;
Winifred Dewing, who married Clifford Gross, and Donald.

William Talbott, the great great grandfather of E. I ).
Talbott immigrated to Virginia from England, settling in Fair-
fax County. Richard Talbott, the great grandfather of E. D.
Talbott, settled in Barbour Countv in 1780.

Mr. Talbott was educated in the public schools and in
the universities of Virginia and West Virginia. He practiced
law at Beverly a number of years and came to Elkins with
the removal of the county seat to this place. Mr. Talbott has
been mayor of Elkins and represented Randolph in the state
Legislature and has been for a number of years president of
the Elkins Commercial Club.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 439

Dr. L. W. Talbott.
Dr. L. VV. Talbott. sou of William \Y. and Sarah (Si-
mon) Talbott, was born November 25, 1855; married in 1893
Mary Evelyn, daughter of S. X. and Florence A. (Brown)
Bosworth. Children, Richard Bosworth, William Brown, Vir-
ginia, Lewis, James and Sara. Dr. Talbott has been engaged
in the practice of medicine in Randolph thirty-three years;
longer than any other practitioner, lie has attended more
than 1,000 births.

Simon Teter.

Simon Teter, son of Joshua and Mary E. (Harper) Teter,
was born in Randolph County in 1870; married Rebecca,
daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Spielman) Mullenix. Mr.
Teter is employed by the Parsons Pulp and Paper Company
at Horton.

Aaron Teter.

Aaron, son of Cyrus and Annie (Harper) Teter, was born
in 1868 in Pendleton County; married Florence, daughter of
Columbus and Jemima ( Carr) Kernes. Children, Rosa Hos-
ter, Columbus, Thamar, Lillie, Daisy, Sylvia, Lennie, Cyrus
and Elsie. Howard Paul died in infancy. Mr. Teter was a
merchant at Wymer nine years. He is now postmaster and
merchant at Job.

W. W. Tyree.

VV, W. Tyree, son of W. W. and Virginia (Stinespring)
Tyree, was born in 1871, in Bath County, Virginia; married
Mary Ellen, daughter of Uriah and Susan (Hudson) Bird.
Children, Ward B., Mary Gale and William Bird. Mr. Tyree
came to Randolph from Pocahontas in 1906 and is at present
engaged in general insurance business.

W. D. Tyre.
W. D. Tyre, son of J. M. and Mrs. Elizabeth J. Tyre,
was born in Randolph County, West Va., near Elkins, July
4th, 1879. Taught school in Randolph County for 11 years,
was married to Miss Maud B. Curtis, youngest daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. J. Milton Curtis, April 17th 1902. To this
union six children have been bom : Lela May, born May 5th,

440 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

1903 ; Alma Louretta, May 25, 1905 ; Glenn Lawrence, Janu-
ary 19th, 1908; Gladys Pearl, September 3, 1909: Earl Wash-
ington, born February 22, 1912 and died June 24, 1913, at the
age of 16 months of a complication of diseases; Raymond
Robert Bruce, born January 26, 1914.

Was a member of the Randolph County School Book
Board from Roaring Creek District from 1906 to 1910.

Was Census Enumerator in Leadsville District in 1910.
Was appointed as City Letter Carrier in Elkins, July 4th,
1910 and has remained in the Government Service ever since.

His father was a Union Soldier, belonging to Co. E,
First West Virginia Light Artillery.

Ulysses G. Trembly.
Ulysses G. Trembly, born in Preston County, 1867, son of
Michael and Margaret (Smith) Trembly. Came to Randolph
in 1905. Mr. Trembly married Mary, daughter of T. B. and
Isaac (Stalnaker) Webster. Children, Mary and Harry. Mr.
Trembly is a jeweler and is proprietor of a store on Third
Street.

Glenn Teter.

Glenn, son of D. K. and Alice (Harmon) Teter, was born
at Harmon, Randolph County in 1896. Mr. Teter is at pres-
ent a clerk in the Whitmer Drug Company Store.

Elmer G. Teter.
Elmer G., son of D. K. and Christian (Bennett) Teter,
was born in 1869; married Almeda, daughter of Isaac and
Mary Raines. Children, Russell and Musa, who died in in-
fancy. Mr. Teter is at present a clerk in the Parsons Pulp
and Paper Company Store at Horton.

John L. Thomas.
John L. Thomas, son of William R. and Catherine
(George) Thomas, was born February, 1878: married Iva,
daughter of John W. and Anna (Martin) Morrison. Chil-
dren, John, aged 10 years, and Owen Beryl, who died in in-
fancy. The father, William R. Thomas, was born in Con-
northenshire, Wales, in 1846, and came to America in 1868,.

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 441

locating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Father and son came
to Randolph in 1902. They are at present prominent citizens
of Pickens.

Phelix R. Tuning.

Felix R., son of Thomas and Sarah (Tidd) Tuning, was
born in Highland County, Virginia, in 1893. Mr. Tuning is
a farmer and stockman. He is the Democratic committeeman
for Middle Fork District.

Dr. E. H. Updike.
Dr. E. H. Updike was born in Bentonville, Virginia, in
1877, and came to West Virginia in 1906. Dr. Updike re-
ceived his professional education at West Virginia Universi-
ty, Baltimore Medical College, University of Maryland and
Loyola University of Chicago. Dr. Updike has practiced his
profession at Elkins and Elk Garden and is now located at
Mill Creek, West Virginia.

Hon. William G. Wilson.

William Grant Wilson, son of Isaac and Harriet Wilson,
was born in Marion County in 1864. He married Mabel,
daughter of Major J. H. and Katherine (Harwood) Fout. Mr.
"Wilson was educated in the public schools and at the Fair-
mont Normal school. He was among the first residents of
Elkins and was for several years the only representative of
the legal profession in the city. He was three times Mayor
of Elkins and represented Randolph in the state Legislature.
His prominence in that law making body is evidenced by the
fact that he was made speaker of the house, which position
he filled with marked ability. For a number of years he has
been president of the Davis Trust Company.

Dr. ^John H. Weymouth.

John H. Weymouth, D.D.S., son of John S. and Henrietta
D. (Jenkins) Weymouth, was born at Richmond, Va., in 1843;
married in 1873 Mary, daughter of Lemuel and Xancy (Hart)
Chenoweth. Children, Myra May, who married G. N. Wil-
son; Henrietta Blanche, who married Barton Jones; Charles
Lee, and Nannie Chenoweth. After the death of his first

442 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

wife, Dr. Weymouth chose his second wife in the person of
Miss Marian Smith, daughter of Abraham and Margaret
Harding Smith. Dr. Weymouth "s family were pioneers in
Richmond and the first house built in that city belonged to the
family. Dr. "Weymouth was a captain of artillery in the Con-
federate service. He is a gifted writer and is the correspond-
ent for several Metropolitan dailies. He was educated at Phil-
adelphia Dental College.

JOHX B. WlLT.

John B. Wilt, son of Wm. F. and Mary < Lantz ) Wilt,
was born in Preston County. West Virginia, in 1873. Mr.
Wilt married Carrie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Heed.
Children. Carrie and Mary Jane. Mr. Wilt taught school a
number of years before coming to Elkins. He is now general
manager of the large mercantile establishment of Posten & Co.

JARED L. WAMSIiEY.

Tared L.. son of Captain Jacob S. and Minerva (Hamil-
ton) Wamsley, was born in 1854. died 1916 : married Florence
M., daughter of Eli B. and Elizabeth (Hutton) Butcher
Mr. Wamsley graduated from the Fairmont Xormal School
and attended Roanoke College at Salem, Virginia. He
was admitted to the bar in 1882 and was three times elected
prosecuting attorney of Randolph. For years Mr. Wamsley
stood in the front rank of Randolph County attorneys.

Hon. James W. Weir.

Hon. James W. Weir, son of S. E. and May (Frothing-
ham) Weir, was born in Xew Brunswick, Xew Jersey, in 1882,
was educated in public schools at Covington, Virginia and
Washington D. C. Prior to coming to Elkins Mr. Weir was
on the staff of the Wheeling Intelligencer and Columbus,
Ohio, Dispatch. He was editor of Randolph Enterprise from
1905 to 1911. From 1913 to the present time he has been edi-
tor and publisher of the Randolph Review. He was private
secretary to Senator Watson from 1911-13. Mr. Weir has
represented Randolph in the Legislature two terms, in 1909

A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 443

and 1913. In 1909 Mr. Weir married Vie, the youngest daugh-
ter of J. F. and Lucebie (Wiimoth) Harding.

J. A. Weimer.

J. A. Weimer, son of Peter and Catherine Ellen (Kyle)
Weimer, was born in 1878 in Pendleton; married Lena A.,
daughter of Jacob L. and Jeanetta (Thompson) Nelson. Chil-
dren, Theodore Willard. When Mr. Weimer was two years
old his parents moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. He returned
to Randolph in 1900 and is now an engineer on the Western
Maryland Railroad. His grandfather, Philip Wreimer, emi-
grated from Germany to Pendleton County, Virginia, in the
early history of the count}'.

C. H. Wymer.

C. H. Wymer, son of Perry and Catherine (Zebaugh) Wy-
mer, was born in 1865, in Grantsville, Maryland ; married
Martha, daughter of Archibald and Virginia (Hinkle) Har-
per. Children, Carrie Leta, Mary Marvin, Frank C, Elma and
Alma, Charles and Thomas. Mr. Wymer came to Randolph
in 1889. For several years Mr. Wymer has been a member of
the livery firm of Wymer & Reynolds.

B. F. Whetzel.

B. F. Whetzel, son of Ruckner P. Whetzel and Charlotte
(Trembly) Whetzel, was born in 1863, in Preston County,
West Virginia ; married Bettie L., daughter of Jesse W. and
Mary E. (Harper) Goddin. Children, Chas. V., Robert L.,
Dana C, Mary G., Cress E., Helen I. and Floyd G. His great
grandfather, John Whetzel, moved from Frederick, Maryland,
to four miles east of Kingwood, Preston County, in 1800 and
founded what has since been known as the AYhetzel settle-
ment. He came to Randolph in 1889, before the advent of rail-
roads. He started the first livery stable in Elkins. He is at
present engaged in farming and fruit growing, and is the pion-
eer fruit grower in this section in a commercial way. He owns
extensive apple and peach orchards near Elkins and has dem-
onstrated that such an enterprise can be made to pay in this
county if directed by energy and intelligence.

444 A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

William Lee Wymer.
William Lee Wymer, son of Joseph and Catherine (Span-
augle) Wymer, was born in Hunting Grounds in 1866; mar-
ried first a Miss Cooper. Children, Clarence, Frank, Lexie,
Alpha, Margie, and Blanche, who died in infancy. Clarence
died at the age of 21. From his second marriage, Mr. Wymer
had no children. Mr. Wymer chose for his third wife, Ma-
linda, daughter of M. G. and Elizabeth White. The children
of this union are Mona, Vernon, Blake, Raymond and Althea.

INDEX

445

INDEX

In this index no reference is made to Personal and Family
sketches. These sketches are arranged alphabetically.

Alfred, John, 42, 82.
Alexander, John, 44.
Abbott, Benjamin, 82.
Anderson, Captain. 122.
Averill, General, 148.
Alton, Tom, 152.
Arrow heads, 252.
Adolph, settlement of,
Alpina, Colony of, 246.

266.

Baker, D. R., 10, 148.

Bald Eagle, 20.

Buffington, 2:;.

Bosworth, Perry, 27.

Bosworth, J. L., 27.

Bozart, John, 38.

Buckhannon Settlement, 28.

Bogard, Cornelius, 40, 42, 82, 88, 104.

Bosworth, S. N., 41.

Beverly, 41 ; Threatened to

secede, 239.
Blair, Wm., 48.
Ball, Samuel, 51.
Books, Old, 52.
Bush, John, 52.
Burial expenses, 53.
Buckey, George, 57.
Bosworth, Squire, 58.
Boyles, Michael, 86.
Booth, Isaac, S7.
Banks, Henry, 107.
Bradley, A. M., 113.
Bosworth, J. L., 113.
Benham, Captain, 130.
Buckev, Hotel, 150.
Benefit of Clergy, 161.
Bees and Birds," 253.
Bishop Asbury, 273.
Baptists, Primitive, 274.

Coberly, M. J., 10; D. E., 113.

Currence Fort, 20.

Conoly, Darby, 21.

Cart well, Thomas, 22.

Crouch, James, 23; Joseph, 44;

John, 56, 83, 87; Andrew, 229.
Currence, William, 26 ; John, 44.

Cassity, Peter, 39, SO, 103, 104.

Cooper, Joseph, 46.

Church History, 242.

Cunningham, James, 55.

Crown, Henrietta, 57.

Clerks, County, 67; Circuit, 67.

Commissioners, Revenue, 69.

Coroners, 73.

County Commissioners, 73.

Circuit Judges, 73.

Constables, 74.

Colonels Militia, 77.

Captains Militia, 77.

Carpenter, Mchhlas, 80.

Chane, Thomas, 80.

Conrad, Jacob, 86.

Chenoweth, John, 86; Maude, 113:

Mary, 86.
Claypool, Abram, 106.
Conveyances, Old, 97.
Crawford, J. A., 104.
Chapline. Moses, 107.
Carpenter, Nicholas, 107.
Constitution, 158.
Canfield, J. B., 113; F. M., 113.
Channel, Flora, 113.
Civil War, 114.
Cochrane, James, 126.
Carricks Ford, 130.
Corley, Captain, 133.
Collett, Solomon, 87.

Dorman, Timothy, 25.
Daily Station, 27.
Deer, 37.

Dowell, Gabriel, 47.
Duval, John, SO.
Delay, Henry, 80.-
Donahue. Joseph, 81.
Daniels, T. L., 113.
DeLagnell, Captain, 121.
Domestic Bliss, 217.
Drv Fork, 228.
Dean, Henry Clay, 248.
Dow, Lorenzo, 259.

Elk, 37.

446

INDEX

Eberman's Creek, 41.
England. Wm., 41.
Ensigns Militia. 79.
Elliott. James, 87.
Education. 106.
Evans, John, 107.
Elections, 238.
Enterprise. 260.
Emancipation paper, 263.
Extinct families, 297.
Earle, A.. 5S.
Elk Horns found. 231.

Formation of Randolph. 231.

First Auditor, 237.

Files, Family, IS.

Friend. Jonas. 40: Gabriel. 41;

Joseph, 47.
Fink, Henry. 42. 106.
Formelson. Charles, 83.
Fansler, Henry, 86 : Andrew. S6.
Free Schools, 10S.
Ford, Kalers. 132.
French and Indian War, 244.
Family Histories, 298.
Flints Furnished bv Government, 89.
Frost of 1859, 262.
Fined 400 lbs. Tobacco. 240.

Gaudy, 10; Gaudy. Uriah, 55.
Greenville, Treaty of, 31.
Goff. Salathiel, 39; Thomas, 55.
Garnett 's, General, Report, 117.

Goose-plucking, 208.

Helvetia, settlement of, 264.

Hamilton. Miss. 22 : John. 45 : Pat.,
80, 82, 83; William. 82.

Haddan. John, 22. 40. 106.

Hart. Ed.. 26. 44. 46. 50. 53, 86.

Holder. Thomas. 40.

Haymond, John, 39.

Harris. Simeon, 41, 44.

Horubeck. Benj.. 45. 81.

Harness, John, 56.

Henderson. David. 82.

Haddan. David. -2.

Hart. Nancy Aim, 86 ; David B.,118.

Hill, Jacob I., 106.

Harrison, Benjamin, 107.

Huttou, John, 113.

Hughes, John X., 114.

Heck, Colonel, 115.

Hansborough, Colonel. 132.

Hill Raid, 149.

Harmon. 262.

Hedrick, Jess, 216.

Harrison County Court Proceed-
ings, 80.

Indian Burial Ground, 13.

Indian Trails. 12. 256.

Isner, Michael. 42, 44; Thomas, 86.

Imboden's Raid, 145.

Inter-Mountain, 244.

Irish Settlement, 275.

Indian Ring, 243.

Jackson. John. 39, 41, 44, 87: Ed-
ward. 41. 44. 48, 82; George, 107.
Jefferson, Thomas. 10,8. 109.
Jackson's Raid. 148.
Jenkins. General. 146.
Jones, General. 147.

Killbuck, 22.

Kinnan, Joseph. 25. 49. 53.

Kittle, Abram, 45. 80, 104; F. H.,

113: Jacob. 52, 86.
King, Mary. 113.
Keller, Benjamin F., 115.
Kersey. E. H., 126.
Kino-, George, 142.
Kyle. Zed.." 221.

Lytle. Archibald, 13.

Lackey, Thomas, 22. si ; James. 41,

82, 230.
Lackey's War Song, 231.
Leading Creek. 23.
Leavitt, Wm., 27.
Lancaster. Treaty of. 31.
Lee. Thomas, 31.'
Log Rolling, 36.
Lev is. Charles. 45, 48,
Lieutenants Militia. 78.
Lowther, Wm.. 80.
Land Patents. 93.
Logan, James H., 106.
Literary Fund. 110.
Litle, James B., 113.
Lander, Colonel, 119.
LAM'S:

Relating to swearing, working on

Sabbath, stealing tobacco, 159.
\ gainst gossip, 160.

Eog stealing, 161.

Slaves. 161.

Importation of Slaves, servants and
masters. 162.

Convicts and religious freedom, 163.

Military drills and musters. 166.

Salaries and rations of soldiers. 16S.

Grist mill. 169.

Steamboat, 170.

District court, congressional dis-
tricts. Valley Falls. 171.

Rates, postage. 174.

Tobacco currency. 175.

INDEX

447

Lawyers, 177.

Legislature, Members of, 238.

Lower Middle Mountain, 241.

McLean, James, 22; John, 22; Hoy,

25; Annie, 113.
Minear, John, 23; David, 86;

Philip. 83.
MeCleary, Wm, 39, 44, 46, 107.
McMullen, Andrew, 56.
Marriage License 60.
Maxwell, Alexander, 81 ; Robt., 42.

107, 44, 48.
MeCally, John, 82.
McDonald, Francis, 82.
Moore, James, 82.
Mason, George, 107.
Mathews, Thomas, 107.
Moore, C. S., 113.
Marstiller Lee, 113; W. 113; Agnes,,

113; Delphia, 113.
Madden, Thomas, 113; Martin, 113 ;

W. P.. 113.
Morgan, H. B., 113.
Mollis, General, 115.
Miller, Christopher, 119.
McLellan's Proclamation, 137.
Milroy's Order, 146.
Marshall. Captain, 149.
Methodists, 271.

Nelson, John, 22; Chas., 44.
Neville John 86 : Nicholas Geo., 107.

Pringle, Samuel, 19; John, 19;

James, 42.
Parson, John, 39; Chas., 42.
Peterson, Wm., 41.
Petty, Ebenezer, 41. 57, 80, 104.
Phillips, John. 42, 51, Thomas, 43,

44. 52, 104.
Petro, Nicholas, 44, 82.
Poffenbarger, Peter, 52.
Prosecuting Attorneys, 73.
Powers, John, SO.
Public schools, 112.
Porterfield, A., 115.
Pegram, Colonel, 116, 124.
Printz, G. W., 153.-
Porte Crayon, 193, 217, 224.
Physicians and Surgeons, 181.
Population, 245.
Presbyterians, 270.

Ralston, James, 22, 23.
Riffle. Jacob, 40.
Rosencranse, Hezekiah, 40.
Ryan. Solomon, 44.

Revolutionary soldiers, 86.

Reger, Jacob, 87.

Randolph Academy, 106.

Rice, Lemuel C, 113.

Roads, 102.

Ryan, John, 86.

Rarvan, Maine v, 86.

Ronald, Wm., i07.

Residents in Randolph 1785, 83.

Sinks, 10.

Sitlington, Andrew. 22.
Stalnaker, Jacob. 42, 44, 81; Valen-
tine, 44.
Stewart, Ralph, 42.

Smith, John, 42^_ ,

Summerfield, Joseph, 45; Thomas, 49.

Sheriffs, 67.

Surveyors, 67.

Smith, Wm., 81, 103. _

Skidmore, Andrew, <2.

Snyder, Fortunatius, 86.

Springer, Uriah, 86.

Shreves, William, 86.

Surveys, 100.

School Statistics, 112.

Scott, Angelia, 113; Alice, 113.

Scott, Colonel, 117.

Skidmore. E. R., 113.

Simmons, Henry, 113.

School Superintendents, 113.

Surnames, 287, 295.

Socialist Movement in Randolph, 243.

Taylor, B. W., 113: Sheffev, 113.
Triplett, F. J., 113; L. B.,' 113.
Thomas, Mollie M., 113.
Taggart, James A., 119.
Tenant. Lem., 152.
T. V. News, 260.
Tory Camp Run. 240.
Trustees, Town of Moorefield, 242.

Warwick, Jacob, 22; John, 42, 82;

James, 229.
Wilson, Benjamin, 22, 38, 40, 80, 87,

107; John, 39, 42, 44, 107; Wm.,

43. 44, 82; Geo. 82.
Weese, John D.. 2s.
White, Isaac, 28; William, 229;

John, 229.
Westfall, Cornelius, 39, 80; Geo., 39;

James, 40, 87, 106; Jacob, 39,

40, 42, 44, 80, 107; Daniel, 44;

William, 87, 43.
Wolf, Nicholas, 52.
Wilson's. Mill, 47.
Mill, First, 55.

448 INDEX

Wilmoth, Thomas, 81; Ella, 113; Woodlev, W. H., 137.
Arnold, 113. Weather Bureau, 243.

"Whitman, Mathew, 86. Wild Pigeons, 265.

Whiteman, Henry, 86. Whiskey Insurrection, 233.

nwj

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