Pocahontas County History Preservation, Digitization, Community

Major Andrew Crouch, p. 564, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

May 5, 1857, the writer paid a visit to the late Major Andrew Crouch, at the time regarded the oldest person in Tygart's Valley. He lived near the mouth of Elkwater, Randolph County. Among the interesting items he gave us was one in reference to land title.

Near the old Huttonsville brick church one James Warwick built a pole cabin and cleared a potato patch, in virtue of which he claimed the whole bottom contiguous. John and William White, two brothers, asserted their claim to the same land. It was finally decided to settle the dispute by a fair fight, fist and skull. Mr Warwick, being a small man, proposed to Joseph Crouch—or rather to his father—to exchange lands with him. He did so, and moved on to the tract. The Whites came on soon after to drive him away. After some wrangling it was finally agreed upon to settle the dispute by a fight, provided Andrew Crouch would accept the challenge, Joseph Crouch being somewhat deficient in pluck.

The ground was chosen for the contest, and John White was sent to inform Andrew Crouch of the arrangement. He accepted the challenge and defeated William White. The title was settled, and the parties were very friendly ever afterwards.

William White would frequently visit the home of Andrew Crouch, Senior, and the Major had a vivid remembrance of the impression White's appearance made upon his youthful mind as he walked the floor, he was so very tall and portly.

Battle Near Crab Bottom, p. 575 Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

The writer received the following items of history from the late William McClintic, Esq., of Bath County. This gentleman was a prominent citizen, and accepted most of the important county offices in the gift of his fellow citizens, and he had a passion for history. He has a grandson living in our county. Dr F. T. McClintic, who ranks high as a physician.

Mr McClintic says that when the Indians gained their victory near the mouth of Falling Spring Run, in Alleghany, 1768, they were so elated that one hundred and eighty warriors pressed on as far as Kerr's Creek, where some persons were slain and others taken prisoners. On their return they crossed the Warm Springs Mountain near the springs, and camped close by the springs. The next day they camped on Back Creek, near the place where John Gwin resided a few years since, eight or ten miles above Mountain Grove.

As soon as possible, three companies under Captains Lewis, Dickinson, and Christie started in pursuit. Christie's company was from near Waynesboro. The Indians were followed to the north fork of the South Branch of the Potomac. The scouts discovered the encampment not far from Harper's Mill. Strange to say the Indians seemed to be heedless of danger. Some were dressing deer skins, mending or making moccasins, some cooking and hunting and fishing.

From the County Records, p. 607, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

At April Term, 1826, two gentlemen were indicted for horse racing on the public road.

Against another for retailing spiritous liquors by the small measures without a license therefor.

A list of the rates fixed for ordinaries: Whiskey by the half pint 12 1/2c, French brandy half pint 25c, rum per gill 25c, apple brandy 12 1/2c, peach brandy 183/4c, wines 25c, diet by the meal 25c, grain by the gallon 12 1/2c, hay for 24 hours 12 1/2c, lodging 12c.

The crop of old wolf scalps for 1825-6 amounted to twenty-one at $5 each.

James Brindly is allowed $7 for traveling to Lewisburg for stovepipes.

Surveyors of the county roads were allowed 6£ cents for each day necessarily employed: William Brock, 62£c for 10 days; James Waugh 25c for 4 days, etc.

June, 1827 a levy of $49 was laid and John Bradshaw and Samuel Hogsett commissioners were appointed to let out the erection of the public stocks and pillory.

The court seems to have the power to license preachers and gentlemen to celebrate the rites of matrimony by taking a bond of $1500.

Everyone has heard of Major Jacob Warwick's famous servant Ben who accompanied him on all his warring, hunting and surveying trips, and to whom his master granted his freedom. At the August court the following order was entered in reference to his life and character:

Conclusion, p. 618, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

It may not be inappropriate at this time to embody in this book some facts concerning the development of the county in the last decade of the 19th century, which were momentous years for Pocahontas County.

In December, 1890, an epoch marking snow fell, making it the "winter of the deep snow." While it lay on the ground to the depth of three feet or more, Colonel John T. McGraw, of Grafton, made a visit to this county and purchased the farms known as Marlins Bottom for a town site. Five families lived on the land now occupied as the site of the town of Marlinton. The name of the post office had been changed a few years before from Marlin's Bottom to Marlinton. Mrs Janie B. Skyles, a Maryland lady, who was living here, being instrumental in effecting the change. It was bitterly opposed by some of the older citizens, who objected to the giving up of the descriptive and historic name of Marlins Bottom.

The purchase of the town site by Colonel McGraw was the first intimation that county people had of proposed railway developments. The plan was that the Camden System of railroads was to be extended up Williams River, across the divide at the head of Stony Creek, and to Marlinton. It was a part of the plan that the C. & O. R. R. would build an extension from the Hot Springs to Marlinton and connect with the Camden Road at that place.

Union and Confederate Soldiers, p. 582, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

In response to our request for the names of Union and Confederate soldiers, the following are all that have come to hand, furnished by H. P. McLaughlin, Beverly Waugh, and A. L. Gatewood.

Company I 25th Reg. Virginia Infantry, C. S. V.

D. A. Stofer, Captain.
J. H. McLaughlin, 1st Lieutenant.
Angus, Timolean
Alderman, Andy C:
Akers, James H.
Arbogast, Daniel
Boon, B. B.
Burr, George
Burr, Frederick
Burr, William
Bradley, James
Corbett, Mustoe H.
Cleek, Peter L.
Cash, George H.
Carpenter, William H.
Cole, William
Eagan, Charles
Ervine, William H.
Friel, M. A.
Grandfield, John
Griffin, M. P.
Grimes, Peter
Gammon, William
Gammon, C. S.
Hannah, Robert
Hannah, Joseph
Helmick, George A.
Henson, William H.
Hogsett, William R.
Herold, C. B.
Herold, B. F.
Haines, J. B.
Hamilton, A. G.
Jordan, Joseph J.
Johnson, Joe
Lyons, Enos
Moore, Levi
McGlaughlin, H. P.
Maher, Patrick
Moore, Michael
Mitche, Sylvester
Mathews, J. W.
Moriarty, Pat
Piles, John
Piles, William L.
Pence, J. W.
Robey, Walter H.
Swadly, James
Slaven, W. W.
Seebert, Lanty S.
Sivey, Cain H.
Shannon, James
Shannon, Michael
Smith, Louis
Simmons, C. A.
Shrader, B. F.
Varner, David A.
Weaver, C. W.
Weaver, R. L.
Ware, Eugene
Ware, George
Ware, William T.
Ware, Benjamin
Willihan, Michael
Willihan, Pat
Waugh, Levi

Averill's RetreatHistorical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

In December. 1863, General Averill's army suddenly appeared on the crest of the river ridge opposite Hillsboro, and covered the face of the country by straggling along routes parallel with the county roads. It was the army that a few weeks before had been victorious at Droop Mountain. Now cold, wet and starving the men were in headlong, disorganized retreat. They appeared so suddenly that the men who were at home had no opportunity to escape and were taken prisoners, and the women had no time to conceal their scanty household stores. At one place the house was ransacked, but a large quantity of maple sugar was not found. It was under a lounge, and the lady of the house had three girls calling. They sat on the lounge and spreading their skirts concealed effectively the treasured sugar. The soldiers were practically starving. At one place they eagerly consumed all the scraps of rancid fat that had been set aside for soap grease. At another place some Dutch soldiers drank and ate from the swill tub. A woman whose husband was in the Confederate army saw her slender supply of bacon carried away by a private soldier. Au officer riding up, she appealed to him for protection. He ordered the man to leave the bacon. The soldier replied, "You be ****!" The officer immediately tired upon the soldier, who dropped the stolen meat and ran.

The Bridger Boys, p. 559 Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

John and James Bridger were slain by Indians during the last raid made by Indians in what is now Pocahontas County. They were in the party that came to the relief of the Drinnon family on the Greenbrier River, nearly a mile above the mouth of Stony Creek. Henry Baker was killed while he and Richard Hill were going to the river to wash and prepare for breakfast. Nathan, a colored man belonging to Lawrence Drinnon, notified the settlers in the Levels. A party came on and on their return the Moore and the Waddell families joined them. The Bridger brothers and Nathan left the main party and took across to the near way through the Notch, while the rest passed around by the Waddell's.

Indians were concealed at a place where a clump of lynn saplings were growiug out of the decaying stump of a tree that had been cut down for sugar troughs. Two shots were fired in quick succession. John fell mortally wouuded. The other, being untouched, ran on through the " notch," closely pursued by an Indian. Just at the foot of the mountain was a straight path through which the young man was running when the Indian paused and shot him in the back. The mark of the Indian's heel was seen where he halted to deliver the fatal discharge.

Nathan had stopped to fasten his moccasins, and was thus out of reach. He scolded the Indians for hurting the boys, and escaped unhurt. The rest of the company were at the Waddell place when the heard the shooting.

This section contains thirteen essays on Pocahontas County History, two of them numbered "V" and none numbered "VII":

I. The Bridger Boys
II. The Mayse Family
III. Major Andrew Crouch
IV. Capture of Thomas Wilson
V. Battle Near Crab Bottom
V. "Mad Ann"
VI. Union and Confederate Soldiers
VIII. Huntersville--The First County Seat
IX. Averill's Retreat
X. From the County Records
XI. Captain James Ewing
XII. Conclusion

William Moore, p. 472, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

This paper is devoted to the memory of William Moore, the youngest of Moses Moore's sons. It is believed by some that the place of his birth, (which occurred September 18, 1784,) was near the McClintic Mill on Swago. The locality was indicated quite recently by some apple trees of great age. His youth and early manhood were passed on Knapps Creek. After his marriage to Christine Dods, of Rockbridge County, he lived for a time near Timber Ridge in that county, and then settled permanently on Hazel Ridge, on lands now owned by Lee Carter and Anderson Barlow, between one and two miles west of Edray. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters: James Elliot, Addison, Alexander, Margaret and Jane. Margaret Moore was married to Colonel John W. Ruckman, and lived near Millpoint.

Jennie Moore married Captain William D. Hefner. Captain Hefner was a millwright by occupation. After living in Pocahontas some years he located in Fayette County. He was a gallant Confederate officer, an effective scout, and finally lost his life in the battle of Lewisburg, along with his eldest son Franklin. Mrs Hefner now lives in Kansas. Pathetic memories arise in the mind as we think of the father and son falling side by side, mingling their blood in death on the gory ground, and then dust to dust in one honored grave.

Robert Moore, p. 464, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

Robert Moore was a son of Moses Moore, the distinguished pioneer. He was born May 27, 1772, and was reared on Knapps Creak. His wife w.u Rebecca McCollam, of Brown's Mountain, near Driscol. After living a number of years on the Greenbrier at the Bridger place, he moved to Edray on the Drennon opening. They were the parents of five sons, Isaac, Robert, Andrew, James, William, and one daughter, Jane, who became Mrs Andrew Duffield and lived at the head of Stoney Creek, now owned by the Delaney family who recently moved into our county.

Isaac Moore married Catherine Gillilan and settled at Ed ray where S. B. Moore lives. In their family were three sons and five daughters. Mary Ann became Mrs Amos Barlow, first wife; Rebecca became Mrs David Hannah; Elizabeth is Mrs Bryson Hannah, near Frost; Eveline became Mrs Paul Sharp; Julia is now Mrs William Sharp. Allen Taylor Moore married Mary Catherine Gay, daughter of the late Robert Gay and Mrs Bettie Gay. He lives near Edray. His children are John Kenney, Evansville, Indiana; Robert, in Butte City, Montana; Georgia Miami, who was the late Mrs Isaac Sharp; Alwilda Nebraska, now Mrs John Young; and Lula Elizabeth, now Mrs Davis Barlow.

William Rives Moore married Ruth Gay, and lived near Edray. He was a person greatly respected. His sympathies were with the Union adherents, and he died at Wheeling during the war, after many vicissitudes.