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DR. A. S. BOSWORTH
A History of Randolph County West Virginia
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From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time
ILLUSTRATED
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BY
DR. A. S. BOSWORTH
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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
10
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
11
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.
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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
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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
17
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.
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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
20
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
33
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
34
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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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.
8
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
m
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
54
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
60
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
61
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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A HIST' . . DOLPH COUNTY
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William Hofl Bot
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'all 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
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-. Ryan Mary Helm. Eliz.i Mar |
Mary Da^na taeea Ca •
ael Elizabeth Wash
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Joseph Cha:. John Wi
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Eliza -
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Mary Marsr.iller
Catharine Shreery Mary Skidm
Robert Johr.
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Nicholas Marstiller
■ Poland
oh Shre- ■ : Carper.- i John Skidm . i
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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
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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
64
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
65
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
66
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
67
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
69
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
73
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
77
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
78
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
79
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.
84
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
85
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.
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Names of Magisterial and Independent Districts
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643 46 1365 .
20
41
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
13
65
$ 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
0
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
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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
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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
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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
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"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,
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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
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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
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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
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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-
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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
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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
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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
Geo