A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 46

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 46
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 46

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).

349

WESTERN VIRGINIA-GRAYSON.

GRAYSON.

GRAYSON. was established by the Legislature in the year 1793, from a portion of the county of Wythe. It is bounded N. by Wythe,-N. E. by Montgomery,-E, by Patrick,-S. by Surry and Ashe counties of N. C .-- and W. by Washington. Its mean length is 06} miles, mean breadth 14; and its area 927 square miles. It extends in lat. from 36° 33' to 36° 53', and in long. from 3º 28' to 4º 46' W. of W. C. Grayson is the most eastern of the southern counties of Virginia, which are comprised in the valley of the Ohio river, Great Kanawha rises in Ashe county of N. C. and flows northeastwardly into Grayson, and thence turning eastward 'about 20 miles along the line of Va. and N, C .; and turning N. N. E. it tra- verses ,Grayson, which it leaves by piercing the iron mountain. This county slopes northward, and is drained by innumerable creeks, which flow into the Great Kanawha, which is here called New river. The ele- vation of Grayson is about 1600 feet above the level of the ocean.

Population in 1810, 4,941-in 1820, 5,598-in 1830, 7,675. This coun- ty belongs to the 10th judicial circuit and 5th district. Tax paid in 1833, $468 45-in 1834 on lots, $10 54-on land, $232 90-215 slaves, 853 75 -2238 horses, $134 28-8 studs, $31 00-1 coach, $2 00-4 carryalls, $4 50. Total, 8468 97. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $544 15-in 1833, 8495 23,

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

CRANBERRY PLAIN, P. O. 277 |buildings, 9 dwelling houses, 3 miscel -. ms. S. W. by W. of R. and 353 from laneous stores, 1 tavern, and several mechanics. White population 49 persons; of whom 1 is an attorney- W., situated on Cranberry creek, a small branch of the Great Kanawha, which rises in the Iron mountains, blacks 19-total 68.

and flows S. over the west angle of Graysen, into Ashe Co. N. C.

County Courts are held on the 4th Monday in every month. Quarterly

GREENSVILLE, or GRAYSON in March, June, August and Novem- C. H. P. V. and Seat of Justice, 276 ber. ms. from R. and 354 S. W. by W. of JUDGE BROWN holds his Circuit" W., situated on the right bank of Superior Courts of Law and Chance- New river, 25 ms. S. S. E. of Ever- ry on the 10th of April and Sep- sham, the county seat of Wythe. It contains besides the usual county tember.

GREENBRIER.

GREENBRIER was formed by the Legislature in 1777, and created from portions of Botetourt and Montgomery. It is bounded N. by Nicholas, and Pocahontas, -- E. by Bath, and Ameghany,- S by Monroe,-and W. by Great Kanawha, which separates it Mom Lesan. Its mean length is 46. miles, mean breadth 323 ; and area 1,409 square miles. It extends in lat. from 37° 40' to 38° 18' N. and in long. 3º to 4º 3' W. of W. C. It is prin- -

cipally drained by Greenbrier river, and its tributaries; but from its west-

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-GREENBRIER.

ern border numero sind flow northwestwardly into Gauly river, the principal of which as Bewell's creek .* It rises in Sewell's mountain (the

* The following is an extract from memoirs of Indian wars on the westeru fron- tier of Virginia, communicated to the Philosophical Society of Virginia, by Charles A. Stuart, Esq. of Augusta Co.

About the year 1749, a person who was a citizen of the county of Frederick, and subject to paroxysms of lunacy, when influenced by such 'fits, usually made excur- sions into the wilderness, and in his rambles westwardly, fell in on the waters of Greenbrier river. At that time, the country on the western Waters were but little known to the English inhabitants of the then colonies of America, being claimed by the French, who had commenced settlements on the Ohio and its waters, west of the Alleghany mountains. The lunatic being surprised to find waters running a differ- ent course from any he had before known, returned with the intelligence of his dis- covery, which did abound with game. . This soon excited the enterprize of others. Two men from New England, of the name of Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell, took up a residence upon Greenbrier river ; but soon disagreeing in sentiment a quar- rel occasioned their separation, and Sewell, for the sake of peace, quit their cabin and made his abode in a large hollow tree. In this situation they were found by the late General Andrew Lewis, in the year 1751. Mr. Lewis was appointed agent for a company of grantees, who obtained from the Governor and Council of Virginia, an order for one hundred thousand acres of land lying on the waters of Greenbrier river, -and did, this year, proceed to make surveys to complete the quantity of said grant- ed lands; and finding Marlin and Sewell living in the neighborhood of each other, inquired what could induce them to live separate in a wilderness so distant from the habitations of any other human beings. They informed him that difference of opin- ion had occasioned their separation, and that they had since enjoyed more tranquility and a better understanding; for Sewell said, that each morning when they arose and Marlin came ont of the great house and he from his hollow tree, they saluted each other saying-good morning Mr. Marlin, and good morning Mr, Sewell, so that a good understanding then existed between them; but it did not last long, for Sewell removed about forty miles further west, to a creek that still bears his name. There the Indians found him and killed himn.

Previous to the year 1775, Mr. Lewis had completed for the grantees, under the order of council, upwards of fifty thousand acres ;- and the war then commencing between England and France, nothing further was done in the business until the year 1761, when his majesty issued his proclamation commanding all his subjects within the bounds of the colony of Virginia, who were living, or who had made settlements on the western waters, to remove from them, as the lands were claimed by the In- dians, and good policy required that a peaceable understanding should be preserved with them, to prevent hostilities on their part. The order of council was never after- wards carried into effect, or his majesty's consent obtained to confirm it.

At the commencement of the revolution, when the state of Virginia began to as- sume independence, and held a convention in 1776, some efforts were made to have the order of council established under the new order of things then beginning to take place. But it was not confirmed; and commissioners were appointed in 1777, 10 grant certificates to each individual who hnd made settlements on the western waters, in the state of Virginia, previous to the year 1768 and since, with preference accord- ing to the time of improvements, which certificates gave the holder a right to four. hundred acres for his settlement claim, and the pre-emption of one thousand more, if so much were found clear of prior claims, and the holder chose to accept it. The following year, 1771, Greenbrier was separated from Botetourt county,-and the county took its name from the river, whieli was so named by old Colonel John Lewis, father to the late General, and one of the grantees under the order of council, who in company with his son Andrew, exploring the country in 1751, entangled himself in a bunch of green briers on the river, and declared he would ever after call the river Greenbrier river.

After peace was confirmed between England and France, in the year 1761, the In- dians commenced hostilities in 1763, when all the inhabitants in Greenbrier were. totally cut off by a part of Indians, headed by the Cornstalk warrior. The chief settlements were on Muddy denke the Indians, in number about sixty, introduced themselves into the people's houses under the mask of friendship,-and every civility was offered them by the people, providing them victuals and accommodations for their entertainment, when, on a sudden, they killed the men and made prisoners of the women and children. From thence they passed over into the Levels, where some

351

WESTERN VIRGINIA-GREENBRIER.

highest mountain in thia county,) and is one of the extreme southern' sources of Gauley river. The surface of this county is much broken and in parts mountainous. The most conspicuous is that known by the name of Keeney's Nob, on which is a creek which rises near the top of the mountain, runs west and empties into New river, one mile belowf Rich -. mond's falls. Keeney's Nob runs parallel with New river. The country here is a wilderness. The mountains are covered with a growth of large timber of various kinds, and are infested . with reptiles, such as the rattle snake, copper head, black snake, &c. &c. There is an abundance of deer, wild turkeys, pheasants, wolves, wild cats, panthers, bears, and a variety of small game .- The mean elevation of the farms above the ocean level is at least 1500 feet. The staples of this county are Indian corn, oats, buck -- wheat and cattle.

Population in 1820, 7,340, and in 1830, 9,006. This county belongs to the 17th judicial circuit and Oth district. Tax paid in 1833, $1719 75 -in 1834 on lots, $49 70-on land, $858 39-644 slaves, $161 00- 4788 horses, $287 28-22 studs, $208 00-21 coaches, $42 50-2

families were collected at the house of Archibald Clendenin, (where the Hon. Balard Smith now lives.) There were between fifty and one hundred persons, men, women and children. There the Indians were entertained, as at Muddy creek, in the most hospitable manner. Clendenin having just arrived from a hunt, with three fat elks, they were plentifully feasted. In the mean time an old woman, with a sore leg, was showing her distress to an Indian, and inquiring if he could administer to her relief ;. he said he thought he could-and drawing his tomahawk, instantly killed her and all the men almost that were in the house. Conrad Yolkom only escaped, by being some distance from the house, when the outeries of the women and children alarmed him .: He fled to Jackson's river and alarmed the people, who were unwilling to believe him until the approach of the Indians convinced them. All fled before them; and they pursued on to Carr's creek, in Rockbridge county, where many families were killed and taken by them. At Clendenin's a scene of much cruelty was performed ; and a negro woman, who was endeavoring to escape, killed her own child, who was pursuing her erying, lest she might be discovered by its cries. Mrs. Clendenin did, not fail to abuse the Indians with terms of reproach, calling them cowards, &c. al- though the tomahawk was drawn over her head, with threats of instant death, and the scalp of her husband lashed about her jaws. The prisoners were all taken over ? to Muddy creek, and a party of Indians retained them there till the return of the' others from Carr's creek, when the whole were taken off together. On the day they started from the foot of Keeney's Knob, going over the mountain, Mrs. Clendenin gave her infant child to a prisoner woman to carry, as the prisoners were in the' centre of the line with the Indians in front and rear, and she escaped into a thicket' and concealed herself until they all passed by. The cries of the child soon made : the Indians inquire for the mother, who was missing; and one of them said he would ." soon bring the cow to her calf. Taking the child by the heels, he beat its brains out against a tree, and throwing it down in the path, all marched over it, till its guts' were all trampled out with the horses. She told ine she returned that night in the dark, to her own house, a distance of more than ten miles, and covered her husband's corpse with rails, which lay in the yard, where he was killed in endeavoring to. escape over the fence, with one of his children in his arins; and then she went into a corn-field, where great fear came upon her, and she imagined she saw a man stand .- ' ing by her, within a few steps.

The Indians continued the war till 1761, and with much depredation on the fron -: tier inhabitants, making incursions as far as within a few miles of Staunton. An end, however, was put to the war in the fall of that year, by the march of an army under the command of Colonel Bouquet, a British officer, who assembled, with his regular troops, at Fort Pitt, some companies of militia from Augusta county and other places,-which, I belive, either volunteered their services or were such as were ordered on the frontiers to protect the inhabitants during the war. Colonel Bouquet held a treaty with the Indians somewhere near Muskingum, and the Indians deliver- ed up many prisoners, who returned to their friends, and a peace was concluded, ' which continued until 1771.

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352

· WESTERN VIRGINIA-GREENBRIER.

stages, $4 00-11 carryalls, $11 00-10 gigs, $5 10. Total, $1,671 97. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $537 90-in 1833, no com- missioners report.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST' OFFICES, &c.

ANTHONY'S CREEK, P. O. 254 ms. stock in summer, and wild game for from W. and 212 N. W. by W. of R. the hunter is still found. 'This post office is located in the north BLUE SULPHUR SPRINGS, P. O. 234 ms. W. of R. and 276 S. W. by W. of W. C., situated 20 ms. from the White Sulphur Springs, 10 S. W. of Lewisburg, and 18 ms. N. of the Salt Sulphur Springs. They take their rise in a narrow, yet beautiful, and fertile valley, which is terminat- eastern part of the county, and is call- ed after the name of a small stream running N. E. and S. W. nearly parallel with the Greenbrier, until it empties into that river, 30 ms. from its source. It rises in small rills on the . north side of the Alleghany mountain, and runs along its foot, ed a short distance above by lofty gradually increasing to the width of mountains. This valley is a branch about 50 feet at its mouth-in a beau- or arm of a larger one, here thrown tifu! well timbered valley. 'The out as if to penetrate deeper into the solitude of the mountains, by whose lofty battlements it is almost encir- cled. These mountains present their towering heads high above the adja- cent country, covered with a richly variegated forest, which the timid deer scek for shelter from the eager pursuit of their enemies. From their rocky sides gush limpid springs, which uniting, form a beautiful rivu- let that irrigates and fertilizes the land is fertile and well adapted to all kinds of grain and grazing. Horses, cattle, &c. are raised in abundance in this valley. There are between 70 and 80 dwelling houses on the differ- ent farms, and the principal pursuit of the inhabitants is agriculture, though there are many mechanics, such as tanners, blacksmiths, gun- smiths, carpenters, joiners, cabinet makers, watch makers, boot and shoe makers, &c. There are 2 houses of bottoms below. It pursues its gentle and meandering line down the valley which widens as the hills recede, un- til it is lost by its union with another stream of its own name.

public worship, (1 Presbyterian and 1 Methodist,) 3 common schools, 1 temperance society, I mercantile store, 4 grist and 5 saw mills. The situa- tion of this post office is handsome and eligible, on the main post road leading from the Warm Springs in Bath county; which crosses the Greenbrier near the mouth of Antho-

The mountain scenery is indeed rich and romantic, presenting an al- most endless variety, interesting and delightful. Here the painter may find employment in sketching the ny's creek, on a neat and permanent bold outline of nature's works-the covered free bridge, near 200 feet in botanist in contemplating the beauties length, and which intersects the Ka- and varieties of the vegetable king- nawha turnpike road 13 ms. west of dom-and the philosopher and mine- Lewisburg ;- distant 21 ms. from the ralogist, in speculating upon the un-

explored regions of fossil and mine- ral formations, with which these moun- tains so richly abound.

Within the preeinets of the springs stand groves of sugar maple, inter-

county seat, and 13 N. E. of the White Sulphur Springs. This val- ley has the Alleghany mountain on the S. and other hills too steep for cultivation on the north. They af- ford, however, extensive ranges for spersed with other forest trees, in all

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-GREENBRIER. -

the beautiful irregularity of nature; (ticularly serviceable. In that endless under their luxuriant foilage, is variety of nervous and hypochon- spread a verdant carpet, inviting the driacal feelings, which have their origin in a deranged state of the di- weary to rest,-the seekers of health. and pleasure to rocline, and inhale gestive and glandular organs, the the pure breeze that passes by, and remedial efficacy of the water, when . brought into judicious operation, will insure permanent relief :- also in that; family of distempers which have their seat in the skin, the Blue Sulphur water may be regarded as a never failing remedy. taste the salubrious fountain that bub- bles beneath. Nature has performed her part, and it remains alone for the hand of enterprise and industry, to develope the beauty and utility of this highly favored spot. The proprie- tors, sensible of its value and advan- Cases of great debility and ema- ciation of system, produced by a long existence of some local disease, it is peculiarly adapted. tages, are now engaged in erecting ; upon it improvements commensurate with the utmost demands of the pub- lic: The buildings are planned and In all affections growing out of some perversion in the uterine func- commenced upon an extensive scale, uniting elegance, convenience, and tion ;- as hysteria, chlorosis, or green, sickness; partial or total suppression of the menstruel secretion, &c., the Blue Sulphur water may be resorted to in full confidence of obtaining speedy relief.

durability. The grounds within the precincts of the establishment will be so laid out as to promote the ease and enjoyment of the visiter, and at the same time, add to the convenience and embellishment of the premises. From 20 to 30 thousand dollars will

From the tried virtues of this medical spring in the list of diseases be expended as soon as practicable; and above enumerated, I think we may other additional improvements made correctly infer, that it holds at least as the interests of the public may re- three active medicinal qualities in its quire. 'The day is not distant, when the composition, viz. a tonic quality, Blue Sulphur Springs will be brought into successful competition with any other watering place of fashionable the alimentary canal, and glandular resort in Western Virginia.

Dr. Simpkins remarks, "that hav- ing practised medicine in the county of Greenbrier for some 9 or 10 years, I have had during that period annual

manifestations of the healing powers on the James and Kanawha turnpike, of the Blue Sulphur water, in the following catalogue of diseases, viz. dyspepsia in its first stage; dyspepsia or indigestion complicated with de- ranged function of the liver; habitual constipation, arising from a deficiency of healthy bile, from sedentary habits, or from atony, or weakness of the bowels. In the sequel, of Asiatic diate vicinity of this place. A daily cholera, I have had reason to believe the Blue Sulphur water to be a pow- erful restorative."

In hemorrhoidal affections it is par- entertainment, 1 miscellaneous store,

which admirably sustains and hus- bands the debilitated system, while organs, are efficiently operated upon by its cathartic and deobstruent pow- ers.

CLINTONVILLE, P. O 231 ms. N .. W. of R. and 273 from W., situated near the junction of the Warin Spring and old State road, 11 ms. west of Lewisburg, 13 ms. S. W. of Frankfort, 44 S. E. of Summerville, 39 E. of Fayette C. H. and 8 ms. W. of Sewell's mountain. The ridge which divides the lime from the freestone country, is in the imme- and a weekly mail arrive at this vil- lage. The improvements consist of several dwelling houses, 1 house of

WESTERN VIRGINIA-GREENBRIER.

a blacksmith shop, 1 cabinet maker's whom 7 are attorneys, and 3 regular establishment, and 1 Methodist house physicians.

of worship. Population 16 whites and 8 blacks. 'The western branch of the Court of Appeals sets here, and commences FRANKFORT, P. V. 231 ms. from its session the 1st Monday in July, R. and 273 S. W. of W., situated 10 and if business requires may set 90 ms. N. E. of Lewisburg, and 3 W. of days. The U. S. District Court sets Greenbrier river, in a beautiful and on the Friday succeeding the 1st Monday of April and September. wealthy part of the county. It con- tains about 50 dwelling houses, 1 County Courts are held on the 4th Monday in every month ;- Quarter- ly in March, June, August and No- Methodist house of worship, 2 com- mon schools, 1 for males and 1 for females, 2 mercantile stores, 2 taverns, vember.

1 tanyard, 1 saddler, and various oth-

Circuit Superior Courts of Law er mechanics. Population 230 per- and Chancery are held on the 10th of sons; of whom 1 is an attorney, and May and October, by JUDGE TAY- LOR. 2 are regular physicians. There are very extensive sales of stock annually

LICK CREEK, P. O. 236 ms. from effected in the neighborhood of this R. and 293 N. W. by W. of W., situ- village.

HOCKMAN, P. O. 233 ms. from R. It contains numerous dwelling houses, and 275 S. W. by W of W.

land several mechanics. Its popula- dance. There are 3 grist mills in

: LEWISBURG, P. V. and Seat of tion is 280. The land on the creek Justice, 221 ms. W. of R. and 263 S |is of good quality, producing well, In- W. by W. of W .; in lat 37° 48' N. dian corn, wheat, rye, oats and pota- and long. 3º 26' W. of W. C. This toes, and table vegetables in abun- village is situated near the southern border of the county, immediately on the vicinity. A large stream of sul- phur water is found 5 ms. distant from this P. O. near the mouth of the

the James river and Kanawha turn- pike, equi-distant : 100 ms. from Charleston, Kanawha, and Staunton, creck.

Augusta, 9 ins. west of the White Sulphur, and 12 east of the Blue Sul- phur Springs. Besides the ordinary dwelling houses, 3 houses of public worship, (1 Baptist, 1 Presbyterian,

· MAYSVILLE, P. O. 224 ms. from R. and 266 s. w. by W. of w.

MEADOW DALE, P. O. 246 ms.

county buildings, it contains 101 from R. and 288 from W.

SEWELL MOUNTAIN, P. O. 252 ms. from R. and 294 s. W. by W. of and 1 Methodist) 1 academy, 1. com- w., situated in the western part of the mon school, and 3 Sunday schools, 6 county. mercantile stores, 1 printing office, is- saddlers, 4 blacksmith shops, 2 cop-

SPRING CREEK, P. O. 212. ms. suing a weekly paper, 2 tanyards, 3 from R. and 254 s. W. by W. of w. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, P. O. per smiths and tin plate workers, 3 212 ins. W. of R. and 254 s. W. of brick layers, 4 house carpenters, 4 W., situated in the eastern part of the tailor shops, 2 cabinet makers, 2 county, 9 ins. S. E. by E. of Lewis- watch and clock makers, 2 wagon ma-

burg. We regret that the proprietors kers, and 3 hotels. The situation of have not thought proper, to reply to this village, is in a healthy, moun- tainous region. It has been rapidly improving for the last 3 or 4 years;

the repeated applications, made to them for a description of this cele- brated, and delightful watering place. Population about 750 persons; of The great beauty of the place, the ex-

ated near the county line of Fayette.

Edenca E brovins 1

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WESTERN - VIRGINIA-HAMPSHIRE.

tensive buildings erected and yet erect- believe the stock has never been taken. ing, and always insufficient,-the vast The property is now chiefly owned concourse of visiters, the medicinal by Mr. Caldwell. The capital au- powers of the waters, &c. are subjects thorized by the charter is $500,000, of which a detailed account might (of which not less than three-fifths are have been written, which would have to be held by other than the present been interesting not only to this state, proprietors) or 5000 shares at $100 but to the whole country, which is each. beginning to appreciate the excellence

" We knew the White Sulphur, of these waters. Already there is a when the accommodations were con- vast concourse of strangers, from the fined, and much unequal to the de- north and the south, the east and the mand. Those accommodations have west, coming from the din and bustle of

rapidly expanded, year after year, but the city, or the baneful miasmata of they are still as inadequate as 12 years the marshes, to find health and plea- ago. 'The multitudes who flock thith- sure at the Virginia Springs, among which this shines forth :

er for recreation or health, increase with the resources of the country and "Ut lund inter minores sideres." its population, and will continue to in- It has never been our misfortune crease beyond what would now ap- to be compelled to seck it for health, but as an agreeable summer retreat, pear a rational calculation. As a property it is impossible to estimate no place can surpass it. We pre- its worth. Some 10 years ago it was sume the buildings in the approaching estimated at from 75 to $150,000. It summer of 1835, will be sufficient to has ascended in speculation to 500,- accommodate 400 persons. Several 000, 750,000, and $1,000,000. A few large and handsome hotels havelyears hence, when further improved, sprung up in the neighborhood, for this will unquestionably be thought the distance of 6 or 7 ms. with the far below the true value; for although view of merely accomodating the it is possible that as good sulphur wa- company, over-flowing from the lim- ter may be found, better can never be, ited accommodation at the Springs. and the established fame of the White Sulphur must at all times, keep down of 1833-4, granted a charter of in- destructive competition." corporation to the proprietors, but wej

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 46

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