A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 42

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 42
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 42

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The face of the country is very broken and in great part mountainous, being situated at the eastern base of the great Alleghany ridge : about one-eighth of it may be considered arable land, the mean elevation of which is 1200 feet above the ocean. It is well watered by Jackson's river, and its tributary, Back creek, (the latter washing the base of the Alleghany mountain,) and by the Cow Pasture river, and its tributary, the Bull Pas- ture, all of which have their sources in Pendleton county. Jackson river and the Cow Pasture, afterwards forming a junction in Bottetourt county, their united stream is styled James river. Into these streams descend from the mountains numerous branches and rivulets,* affording innumerable sites -for mills and machinery. Each of those streams are separated by a mountain running parallel thereto, none of which are considerable or known by any name, beyond the limits of the county, except Jackson's or' the Warm Spring mountain. They are not remarkable for their height, and excepting the one already mentioned do not exceed from 300 to 500 feet from their base, and are by no means sterile: the soil on them being tolerably good, and neither too rocky or too steep for tillage ; producing the most valuable kinds of timber, an extraordinary variety of shrubbery and herbage, and abounding in limestone, iron ore, and springs of excel- lent water. But it is as a grazing ground that they are chiefly valuable. Large herds of cattle, ranging on them in the summer months.

: The vallies between the mountains, which are from 2 to 5 miles wide, are very fertile, a considerable portion entirely level, and in a fine state of cultivation, producing abundant crops of grain and hay. The average produce per acre, being as follows, to wit. wheat and rye 20 to 30 bushels; Indian corn 25 to 40; oats 20 to 30; buckwheat, and barley 25; potatoes and turnips 100 bushels; flax, 200 lbs .; hemp 800 lbs .; and hay one to two tons. The meadows are particularly fine, and the kinds of grass cul- tivated are, timothy, clover, and blue grass, all of which flourish exceed- ingly. A soil so well adapted to grain and grass, naturally induced the proprietors to turn their attention to live stock. Accordingly, horses, mules, cattle, (of the finest breeds) sheep and hogs are raised, and a con- siderable number of them annually driven to market. Connected with the management of live stock, is the dairy, which is here well understood. Large quantities of butter are made and sent to market. + Wool also is an article of which the quantity made is greater than the consumption, and is increasing. Out of the flax and wool which they grow, the inbebidats of this county manufacture all the clothing worn by themselves and tho

* Among these, Faulen Creek deserves notice. It rises in the Warm Spring mountains about 20 miles S. W. of the Warm Springs, and flows into that valley. About three-quarters of a mile from its source, it falls over a rock 200 feet . into the valley below. The sheet of water is broken in its breadth by the rock in two or three places, but not at all in its height .- Between the sheet and rock at the bottom one may walk across dry. This cataract will bear no comparison with that of Niagara as to the quantity of water composing it-the sheet being only 12 or 15 feet wide above, and somewhat more below, but it is half as high again. . The latter being only 156 feet according the mensuration made by order of Mons. Vaudreuil, Governor of Canada, and 130 according to a more recent account.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-BATH.

slaves on their farms. The soil and climate are particularly favorable to fruit trees, and produce, apples and peaches in great abundance; every farm having an orchard. Gardening is also practised to an extent equal to the demand for family use

In a section of country so much diversified with mountains and vallies, abounding with mineral end other springs, pure air, and a temperate cli- mate, health and longevity may be expected. This is actually the case, and in this respect it is not surpassed by any part of the United States.

In this county there are 2 attorneys, 2 physicians, 4 stores, 3 merchant- mills, 18 grist mills, 16 saw mills, 4 carding machines, 3 tan yards, 2 tilt- hammers, and 1 distillery.

Population in 1820, 5,237-in 1830, 4,002. Bath belongs to the 17th judicial circuit, and 9th district. Tax paid in 1833, 8837 24-in 1834, ,on lots, 86 cts .- on land, 8468 69-634 slaves, 8158 50-2,117 horses, 8127 02-10 studs, 873 .00-6 coaches, 814 00-5 carryalls, 85 00-2 gigs, 81 00-Total, 8848 07. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, 8142 53-in 1833, 8203 75.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BULL PASTURE, P. O. 164 miles |houses, 2 houses of public worship from R. and 206 from W. This is (1 Methodist, and the other free for .the local name given to the higher all denominations,) 1 mercantile . part of Cow Pasture river, or the store, 1 tanyard, and various mechan- middle constituent of the James. It ics; the whole population is 630 per- sons, one of whom is a physicians.

rises in Pendleton and flows S. 20° W. to its confluence with the Cow Pasture in Bath. It is about 20 ms. "in length, 10 of which distance is in each of the two counties. In that . portion of the Bull Pasture valley, which lies in Bath, there are located 37 dwelling houses, 1 Presbyterian house of worship, 1 school, 1 mer- : cantile store, a saddler, tailor, tilt- ¿hammer, , and ; manufacturing mill; and a population of about 370 persons. The principal occupation of the in- habitants is agriculture. In this neighborhood there is a large spring of limestone water, to which no bot- - tom has as yet been found. It rises . between two large rocks, from under majestic stream, that astonishes those a bank covered with spruce pine, and is called the Blue Spring. After · running about 40 yards, it discharges itself into the Bull Pasture, on the in a body as if let locse from a dam. west side, about 3 ms. from its junc- tion with the Cow Pasture.

FLOWING SPRING, P. O. 206 ms. S. W. of W. and 164 N. W. of R., situated in the valley of the Cow Pasture, 16 ms. N. E. of the Warm Springs. There is no town or. vil- lage at the place, and the spring is private property. This spring inter- mits, or ebbs and flows, affording when the tide is up, sufficient water for a grist mill, and when it, ebbs, leaves a stream large enough for the supply of a distillery and a tanyard. The water is of the pure and best quality, equal in temperature to ice water. In the dryest weather in sum- mer, the water flows out in a bold and who have witnessed the spring which is left after it falls away. When the flowing commences, the water comes Issuing from the rocks at the foot of a hill, it continues to run for ten or

On that part of the Bull Pasture, twelve hours, then gradually declines. " which lies beyond the Bath and Pen-

There is no regularity in the flow- dleton line, are situated 63 dwellingling; in the same kind of weather it

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will vary from two to three days,- dressing rooms attached. The ac- sometimes flowing every day-at other times at intervals of two or three days. Neither is there any particular period of time at which the water rises. This irregularity has created the greatest difficulty in accounting for it. A mill, a distillery, and tanyard are supplied with water from this spring.

commodations though considerably improved in the last two years, are still very defective. The property, however has been recently purchased by Dr. Goode, who has commenced its improvement on an extensive scale, and will probably in the course of two years have a sufficient number of buildings erected to accommodate GREEN VALLEY, P. O. 157 ms. N. W. by W. of R. and 199 S. W. by W. of W., situated on Stewart's creek, a branch of the Cow Pasture river, 12 ms. E. of the Warm Springs, on the main post road. all who are desirous of obtaining re- lief from the waters. These waters are principally celebrated for their efficacy in cutaneous, rheumatic, . dyspeptic, and liver affections. They are however resorted to for every species of disease, and perhaps there is none in which one or the other of the baths have not proved beneficial. There are no local improvements at the Hot Springs, excepting those mentioned. The country around to a considerable extent being the pro- perty of an individual, it has pre- post road leading from Richmond to vented the settlement of mechanics, merchants, or professional men. The proprietor, Dr Goode, is himself an eminent physician.

HOT SPRINGS, P. O. 217 ms. S. W. by W. of W. and 175 N. W. by W. of R .- situated between the Cow Pasture and the eastern branch of 'Jackson's river, at the base of a lofty mountain of the same name, 5 ms. S. S. W. of the Warm Springs, and 57 'S. W. by W. of Staunton, on the main Guyandotte on the Ohio. These 'springs are numerous, probably amounting to twenty, issuing from the hill upon which the hotel is situated, Three miles S. W. of the Hot Springs, are situated what are called the Healing Springs. They have not yet come fully into notice, but have of late met with considerable attention, and it is confidently believ- ed by those who are acquainted with the efficacy of their waters, to be the best in the United States. They consist of several small warm springs. They have never been analized, but have performed some very extraordinary cures where the other mineral springs have failed. and all varying in their temperature, "presenting every variety, from 51º to :107º. As yet however there have been only three baths constructed. One called the hot bath or boiler, over which there has been erected a " Jarge and handsome building, con- taining fifteen rooms ; a portion of which together with one- half of the -Bath, is appropriated 'exclusively to "ladies, and the residue with the other ' half of the bath to gentlemen. The : second bath is called the Spout, from a pipe of water of the temperature of MILBORO' SPRING, P. V. 157 ms. Milboro' is a small village situated on the free turnpike road, leading from Staunton, through Panther's Gap, to the Warm Springs,-6 ms. W. of the Gap, 13 E. of the Springs, Cow Pasture river, which is naviga- 106°, which falls into the body of from R. and 199 S. W. by W. of W. the bath; from a height of 7 or 8 feet from its bottom. The third is called · the Temperate Bath. Its tempera- ture always corresponding with that of the blood of the human system ; over this spring is now in progress of 22 N. W. of Lexington, and 11 from ' erection an octagonal house, nearly 120 feet in the clear, with convenient ble from this point by boats for three

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months in the year. It contains 25|ing in abundance, grass, corn, wheat, buildings, several of which are of rye, oats, potatoes, buckwheat, flax, &c .. The timber is, sugar maple,

brick, a mercantile , store, tavern, manufacturing flour mill, blacksmith chesnut, beech, various kinds of oak, and tilt-hammer shop, (on an exten- sycamore, locust, hickory and wal- nut. The neighborhood is thickly settled with industrious and wealthy sive, scale,) 1 wagon maker, and 1 hatter. The situation of this village is pleasant and eligible,-near a sul. farmers. phur spring, which has been famed for the medicinal qualities of its waters, and was formerly much fre- quented. This is a place of consi- derable business, being located in a thickly settled neighborhood, sur- rounded by handsome and fertile farms, producing all kinds of grain and stock. One mile from this vil- in the extreme. The beauty and lage, on the right hand side of the turnpike leading to the Warm Springs, is situated the Blowing Cave. Near the north bank of the Cow Pasture river, between the cave and Milboro', stands a house of public worship, called the Wind Cave Meeting House, which is free for all denomi- nations. A turnpike road is being made from this place to Lexington, a considerable portion of which is al- ready in operation.

WARM SPRINGS, P. V. and seat of justice, 170 ms. N. W. of R. and 212 S. W. of W. This village is situated in a narrow valley, between two high mountains, which run pa- rallel from N. E. to S. W. The view from many points, of these mountains is grand and picturesque grandeur of the scene from the Warm Spring Rock, has become very cele- brated ; but must be seen to be appre- ciated. This village contains besides the ordinary county buildings, about 14 dwelling houses, 2 ·mercantile stores, I saddler, 2 tailors, and 3 blacksmiths. 'The ordinary popula- tion, consists of about 137 persons, of whom I is a physiciam. The .ac- commodations for visitors to the wa- ters are also very extensive, consist- ing of about five and twenty cabins, containing a dining room for 200 persons, a drawing room, a ball room, and about five and twenty comfortable chambers. The front is adorned by

RUCKMANVILLE, P. O. 180 ms. from R. and 222 S. W. by W. from most of which are of brick, besides W __ Ruckmanville, though called a the new Thermal Hotel, which has village, is simply a post office, estab- lished in 1827, and called after the

lately been erected, at great cost to " the proprietors, and which is a large proprietor of the place, who resides brick building, about 135 feet long, -here and keeps a house of entertain- ment. It 'is situated 27 ins. N. of the Warm Springs, on the main post road leading from Franklin to Hun- tersville, and 25 ms. from the mouth of a large portico, the whole length of Back creek. This creek rises in the house, supported by fourteen Do- ric columns, which affords an agree- able shade during the heat of the day, Pendleton county, and after running 40 or 50 ms. along the eastern base of the Alleghany mountain empties and a fine promenade, as well for the into Jackson's river, a branch of the invalid, as for the beaux and belles. Any one who has ever taken the bath here will never forget its luxu- ry, and to those who have not, it is impossible to convey a just idea of the delicious sensations it causes. James. Its principal branches are the Valley branch, which intersects the same at Ruekmanville, and Little Back creek about 20 miles below at Gateswood .- The surrounding coun- try is mountainous. The upland is It is much to be regretted, that all uneven, but the soil is good, produc- Jour valuable mineral waters have not

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been faithfully analysed. Thousands| Sulphate of Lime 5.466

of our citizens annually resort to the watering-places- west of the Blue Ridge, for the purpose of preserving or repairing health. The climate in the autumnal months cannot be sur- passed for salubrity, and very many invalids are relieved from pain and sickness by the united power of air and water. In Europe, no one thinks of using waters whose contents are not accurately ascertainad by men of science; but unfortunately in our country, copious libations are made, before it is known whether the quali- ty of the water is adapted to the par- ticular case or not. A careful analy- sis of the water at the WARM SPRINGS has been obligingly furnished to the proprietors by a distinguished Pro- fessor of Chemistry, (Mr. Rogers, of William and Mary,) and the result is as follows :

"Contents of the Waters of the Bath, at the Warm Springs, as ascer- tained by Chemical Analysis :

" The bath is an Octagon 38 ft. in diameter, and 16 ft. 9 in. inside-its area is 1163 77 ft.

" The ordinary depth of water be- ing 5 ft. the cubic capacity is 5818.86 ft. or 43533.32 gallons. Notwith- standing the leaks, this quantity of water will flow into the Reservoir, in one hour.

"The average temperature of the Bath is 98 deg. Fahrenheit. The Gas, which rises in the Bath, con- sists of Nitrogen, with minute quan- ties of Sulphuretted Hydrogen and Carbonic Acid.

" Besides this Gas, each gallon of water contains 4.5 cubic inches of Gas, consisting of

Nitrogen 3.25 cub. in.

Sulphuretted Hydrogen 0.25 do.

Carbonic Acid 1.00 do.

" The Saline contents of one gal- lon of the water, are as follows : Muriate of Lime 3.968

Sulphate of Magnesia 9.984|

Carbonate of Lime

A trace of Soda, no doubt, in the state of Muriate, 23.706"

From this account, which may be implicitly relied on, it appears that while the Warm Springs afford the most luxurious bath in the world, they contain neutral salts and various gases, which act as a gentle aperient, diuretic and sudorific, and give tone and vigor to the human system. . It" is well ascertained in other countries, that waters of a high temperature tend more to strengthen the digestive organs than those of a low tempera- ture; but it is found, by actual ex- periment, that the water at the Warm Springs retains a considerable por- tion of its useful qualities when bot -** tled in the Spring, and then cooled by immersing the bottles in cold water or even ice, and this plan is adopted by many of those who have a repugnance to the use of warm water.

County Courts are held on the 2d Monday in every month :- Quarter- ly in March, June, August and No-' vember.

JUDGE TAYLOR, holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the 25th of April and Septem- ber.

WILLSONVILLE, P. O. 178 ms. N. W. by W. of R. and 220 S. W. by : W. of W., situated in the south west- ern part of the county. Willsonville is the name of a farm at which the. P. O. is located, and which contains more than 1200 acres, 400 of which are level and in good cultivation, pro -. ducing well, wheat, rye, oats, corn, buckwheat, &c., and the dairy pro- duces per annum from 12 to 1500 wt. of butter. There is also a black- smith's shop, grist and saw mill in the centre of the farm; the latter moved by water of Jackson's river. As a farm, this will beur comparison with any in the Valley of Virginia. 4.288| It is 20 ms. from the Warm Springs,

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and 35 from Franklin, (the county }river, and South Branch of Potomac. seat of Pendleton,) between which A weekly mail arrives here on every places the road is entirely level, and Monday. runs along the vallies of Jackson's

2 BERKLEY.

BERKI.EY was created in 1772, from a portion of the county of Frede- rick. It is bounded by Jefferson E. and S. E .- Frederick S. and S. W .- Morgan W. and N. W .-- and by the Potomac, separating it from Washing- ton county, Maryland, N. and N. E. Its mean length is 22} miles, mean breadth 13; and area 308 sq. ms. It extends in lat. from 39º 14' to 39° 45' N. and long. from 1º 14' to 2º 11' W. of W. C. Back and Opequhan creeks run through this county in nearly parallel directions, and near the borders of the county, in a northeasterly direction, and give the general slope of the county their own direction. The surface of this county is much broken, and very mountainous; the arable surface of the farms has a mean elevation of from 5 to to 700 feet above tide water.

Anthracite coal has lately been discovered in the western section of this county of a very superior quality, and in great abundance. The valley in which it is found is a continuation of the valley which produces such large quantities in Pensylvania, and the proximity of the mine to the Chesapeake and Ohio canals will afford the facilities of a ready transportation to mar- ket. This discovery if it should prove as successful as there is every rea- son to anticipate, will convert a region heretofore barren and almost without a single inhabitant, into an inexhaustible source of private and public wealth-multiplying the inhabitants, extending the comfort of individuals and adding to the permanent revenue of the State.

Population in 1810, 11,479,-in 1820, 11,211-in 1830, 10,528. This county belongs to the 13th judicial circuit and 7th district. Tax paid in 1833, $3401 46-in 1834, on lots, $238 79-land, $2194 90-975 slaves, 8242 75-4369 horses, $264 19-20 studs, 8162 00-65 coaches, 8143 65-11 carryalls, $11 60 -- 12 gigs, 811 05. Total, 83267 48. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, 8854 18-in 1833, $570 09.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BERLINGTON MILLS, P. O. recent-[ limestone formation. The scenery ly located.

DARKSVILLE, P. V. 165 ms. from R. and 86 from W., situated on Sul- phur Spring creek, a branch of Ope- quhan, 25 ms. N. W. of Harper's Ferry, and on the post road leading from Martinsburg to Winchester, 7 ms. from the former and 15 from the latter, near a beautiful stream called Middle Creek. The soil in the vi- cinity is very fertile and principally Spring is situated about 3 ms. E. of

around is picturesque and agreeable. It contains 32 dwelling houses, 2 mercantile stores, 1 house of public worship, (Methodist,) 2 common schools, 1 fulling and dying estab- lishment, 1 manufacturing flour mill, 1 tavern, 1 tanyard, 1 saddler, 1 wa- gon maker, and 2 weavers; coopers and shoemakers are the most numer- ous class of mechanics. A Sulphur

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this place on a little creek which resort of water fowl, and abounds falls into the Opequan, at the distance of 300 yards from the spring. Here the scenery is delightful. The beau- tiful Opequan winds and meanders

with fish of a superior quality to those in the river. The view from this point of the valley of the Poto- mac, and the Chesapeake and Ohio along in a manner that must interest canal, for several miles up and down the dullest fancy. There is a large the river, is highly picturesque. The house near this spring which was soil in this neighborhood is various, occupied as a boarding house some 3 but generally consists of a bright or 4 years since, when these springs yellowish clay. It produces from 15 were in vogue. These waters are strongly impregnated with sulphuret- ted hydrogen, and act as a gentle purgative, from which it may be in- ferred that they contain saline mat- ter. It was a place of much resort, but is now from the want of accom- modation, visited only by the passing

to 20 bushels of wheat to the acre, and about the same quantity of maize, but the low grounds on the margin of the river are generally dark and loamy, and produce from 20 to 25 bushels to the acre. The principal productions are wheat, rye, maize, and potatoes. The gardens produce traveller, or those who dwell in the in abundance all the culinary veget- vicinity. This is to be regretted, for ables adapted to the climate, and the with its scenery and the excellent qualities of the waters,? it could not fail to be a source of renovation to the invalid.

lands generally nearly all of the fruit trees, forest trees, shrubs, &c. that are to be found in the same latitude. Iron ore is found in many places on the surface of the ground, but no at- tempt has ever been made to discover a mine. Limestone and a species of soft slate abound. There is an ex-

FALLING WATERS, P. O. 79 ms. N. W. of W. and 180 from R. The Falling Waters are situated on the bank of the Potomac, about lat. 39º| 29' N. and long. 0° 44' W. of W. C., cellent never failing chalybeate spring 8 ms. from Martinsburg, and 5 S. at Grigg's Tavern. ¡ The name of W. of Williamsport, Md. at the Falling Waters was given to this isthmus formed by a circular bend in place before the mills were erccted, the river, of about 21 ms. in perime- from the precipitous fall of the mill stream over a large alluvial rock, which is 200 feet above the surface of the river. ter, and only 4 across. It contains but 3 dwelling houses, 1 of which has been long occupied as a tavern, 1 manufacturing flour mill, a mill GERARDSTOWN, P. V. 166 ms. from R. and 87 from W., situated in the southern part of the county. This village contains 35 dwelling houses, 2 mercantile stores, 1 tavern, 3 houses for grinding lime for hydraulic ce- ment, a cooper's shop and post office. Population 34, 9 of whom are slaves. There are in the vicinity 1 Presby-

terian and 2 Methodist houses of of public worship. (1 Presbyterian, 1

Methodist and 1 Lutheran,) 1 com- mon school, 1 temperance society, 1 bible society, 1 tract society, and 1 well organized sunday school, i tan- yard, 1 saddler, 2 blacksmith shops. 2 wagon makers, 4 boot and shoe

worship, and 1 school, in which is taught all the ordinary branches of an English cducation. The mills are situated immediately on the banks of the river, and are moved by the stream from a large spring which rises about 60 rods from them, and factories, and 3 weavers. * In the which is dammed at the mill to the vicinity and on mill creek, are 4 height of twenty-four feet ; forming a manufacturing flour mills, 1 grist beautiful pond, which is the favorite mill and 1 carding machine. Popu-

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lation whites 150, of whom 1 is a)boot and shoe factories, 1 confectioner, physician ; colored 22-total 172.

. MARTINSBURG, P. V. and scat of justice, 172 ms. from R. and 71 N. W. of W. in lat. 39º 27' N. and long. 0º 58' W. of W. C. Mar- tinsburg is a flourishing and wealthy village. It contains besides the coun- ty buildings, about 300 houses, many of them handsome and spacious brick buildings, 8 miscellaneous stores, 4 houses of public worship, (3 built of stone, and 1 of brick-for Presbyterians, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and Episcopalians, ) a well built market house, 1 male and 1 fe- male academy, 3 common schools, 4 and Ohio canal.

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 42

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry Publication date: 1835 Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278