A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 55

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 55
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 55

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enlarged until it arose several inches above the top of the water; thus pre- senting the singular appearance of a long cone resting upon its point. Exactly over this, a large spar hangs from the ceiling of the room, and approaches within eighteen inches of that which is in the water. From the point of this hanging spar there runs a stream of water about the thick- ness of a quill, and falls exactly on the top of the spar in the centre of the spring; and is, in fact, the source from which the spring is supplied. Both of these stalactites have the appearance of large icicles.

" 'To the right of this spring behind the pillars and a little above it, through the solid limestone rock or wall of the room, was a small smooth opening just large enough to admit the body: This opening is perfectly level, and after sliding about ten feet, we came into a room, not so large, but in point of beauty, far exceeding anything which we had seen. The whole interior of this room is a complete lustre, or surface of shining spar.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-PAGE.

In this room about three and a half feet above the level of the floor, is a . complete wainscot or chairboard, with apparent mouldings and carved work in complete relief; and extending in one entire and unbroken circle around the room. In the centre of the floor stand three large spars, resembling candlesticks of a mammoth size. These candlesticks arise from the floor of the room with various enlargements and diminutions, resembling carved work, until they reach the exact level of the chairboard, when the spar which resembles the candle, and seems to be set into a socket, runs up about two feet. As if to make the copy more exact, and the resemblance more palpably striking, the candlesticks seem to be of a dusky .or bronze color, and the candle or spar arising from it of a clear white. We called this room the Masonic Hall.

One fact here presented itself too palpably to be mistaken This room had evidently been at one time filled with water to the height of the chair- board, and by the gradual crystallization of the lime and nitre which it held suspended, the chairboard was formed, which at once accounted for its being so perfectly level and regular, and running into all the little hol- lows and irregularities of the wall. The candlesticks too had been formed" in the same way by the dropping of the water from the arch; and which being, as we supposed completely saturated with lime and nitre, was of greater specific gravity than the water into which it fell, and thus was gradually formed the large spars which resembled the candlesticks, until they rose even with the top of the water; after which the spar became im- mediately small and clear, resembling a candle. The crystallization on the walls of this room is in beautiful waves and folds, resembling drapery. At one end of the room a large spar, resembling a bed post, stood in beau- tiful relief from the wall, and large folds and waves of drapery, resembling curtains, seemed to hide the rest of the bed.

" Here then our admiration and astonishment were at their height. Our feelings had been wrought up to a degree of almost painful intensity. Here we stood hundreds of feet beneath the surface of the earth, and a full half-mile from the first entrance, treading upon a spot and breathing an atinosphere which had not been disturbed since the creation of the world. A place in which the human voice had never before been heard, and on whose beauties the human eye had never rested. There was in truth an awful sublimity in the state of our feelings, superinduced not only by what we saw, but in part perhaps by a contingent danger to which we were ex- posed. The falling of the arch, or the rolling of a single rock into some of the narrow passages which we had to retrace, would have shut us up in eternal darkness in this mysterious region of wonders.

" Why nature should display those various and astonishing beauties only for herself, or place them thus in a region of darkness and danger, is to us marvellous and incomprehensible. Or why she should thus, in a capri- cions or whimsical mood, group together objects the least resembling each other in their nature and uses is equally strange. A bedsteud, drapery and candlesticks-a conch shell, bird's foot and a human heart. Strange and mysterious associations. We cannot fully describe or comprehend thein. And all that we could do upon viewing them was to exclaim, wonderful ! wonderful !

" From the room Inst described, we returned to the mouth of the cave, and found that we had spent upwards of four hours in examining its beau- ties, without, however, discovering their full extent. We determined to defer a further search to some other occasion.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-PAGE.

" This cave is situated on the lands of Mr David McKay, and is said to have been first partially explored in the following singular manner. A Mr. Ruffner, who was nearly as much celebrated for deeds of sylvan prowess as the renowned Putnam, in passing this cave some thirty years ago, conceived the bold and hazardous design of entering it alone. He accordingly prepared hunself a flambeau of pine, and placed his rifle across the mouth, to indicate, in case of accident, to his friends, if they should happen to see it, that he was in the cave. He descended, but soon fell and put out his light, and as might have been expected, was soon be- wildered and lost in its labyrinth of passages. It happened that some of his friends in passing the cave discovered his gun, and rightly concluding that he had gone into it, they procured lights and entered in search of him, and found and brought him out again, after his having been in forty-eight hours. This brave fellow was among the pioneers who were foremost in exploring and settling our western frontier ; and was at last killed by the Indians, after having performed deeds of valor and daring prowess, which would have done honor to the character of a hero."

We suggest the propriety of commemorating the exploit mentioned in this last paragraph, by calling this cave in future RUFFNER's CAVE.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

HAMBAUGH'S, P. O. 146 ms. from near the centre of the county, and : R. and 82 W. of W. C.

equidistant from Thornton's Gap on the E., and Massanutten Gap on the W. The first house in this village was built in 1814. It now contains

HONIESVILLE, P. O. 137 ms. from R. and 115 W. of W. C, This vil- lage is situated 10 ms. above Luray, between the Masanutten mountain besides the ordinary county buildings, and the Blue Ridge, on the banks of between 40 and 50 dwelling houses, Honey creek, (from which it takes its name,) about 200 yards from its junction with the south Shenandoah

2 houses of public worship, (1 Bap- tist and 1 Methodist.) There are 4 mercantile stores, 1 tan yard, 2 cabi- river, which is navigable 40 miles net makers, 2 wheelwrights, and va- above this place. It contains 6 dwel- rious other mechanics. Population 400 persons, of whom 3 are resident attorneys and 3 regular physicians. ling houses, 1 house of public wor- ship, free for all denominations, 1 common school, 1 mercantile store, 1 County Courts are held on the 4th Monday in every month ;- Quarter- ly in March, May, August and No- vember. tavern, 1 extensive manufacturing flour mill, 2 saw mills, 1 wool card- ing machine, 1 distillery, 1 boat yard famed for building gundaloe boats, 1 JUDGE SMITH holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the Ist of April and Septem- tailor, 1 boot and shoe maker, and 1 blacksmith shop .- Population 34 per- sons ; of whom 1 is a regular physi- ber, cian.

The court house in this village HOPE'S MILLS, P. O. 3 ms. N. of Luray, and 87 from W. which is erected on a considerable eminence, and on the edge of the KITE'S MILL, P. O. 14 ms. from Luray, county seat, and 104 from W. town, is perhaps one of the handsom- est buildings of the kind in Western LURAY, P. V. and county seat, Virginia. It commands a view of 105 ms. from W. and 136 from R. the mountains to the cast and west It is situated on the Hawksbill creek, far beyond the limits of the county.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-PENDLETON.

MARKSVILLE, P. O. 125 ms. from|peaks of the Blue Ridge, between R. and 112 from W.

MASSANUTTEN, P. O. 144 ms. from R. and 114 W. of W. OVERALLS, P. O 91 ms. W. of W. and 142 from R.

Page and Madison counties; it is about 10 ms. distant and in full view from the court house yard. The Stoney Man has been considered by some to be the next highest peak of the

'T'HE STONEY MAN, one of the Blue Ridge, after the Peaks of Otter.

PENDLETON.

PENDLETON was created by an act of Assembly passed in 1788, and formed from a portion of Angusta, Hardy, and Rockingham. It is bounded N. by Hardy,-E. and S. E. by a ridgecalled the Great North mountain, which sepa- rates it from Rockingham and Augusta,-S. by Bath,-and W. by the main Alleghany chain, which separates it from Pocahontas and Randolph. Its mean. length is 383 miles, mean breadth 26; and area 999 square miles. It extends in lat. from 38° 15, to 38º 53' N. and in long. from 2º to 2º 42' W. of W. C. Pendleton occupies the most elevated part of the table land between its two bounding ridges of mountains, discharging to the S. W. the extreme sources . of James river, and in an opposite direction the higher sources of south branch of Potomac. Comparing the general elevation of Pendleton with the determined height of James river in Alleghany county, considering the whole slope of Bath county intervening, the level of the arable land from whence flow the sources of James and Potomac rivers, must exceed 2000 .. feet. Covington in Alleghany at the junction of Pott's creek with Jack- son's, is 1,222 feet above the mean tide in Chesapeake bay, and at this point the water of Jackson river has fallen down a plain of upwards of 50 miles descent. The southern end of this county is pretty equally divided into four vallies, by five parallel ridges of mountains, which go under the fol- lowing names, beginning on the eastern side: first, Shenandoah mountain- second, Cowpasture mountain-third, Bullpasture mountain-fourth, Jack- son's mountain, and fifth, Fore mountain, to the main Alleghany ridge. The valley between the Shenandoah and Cowpasture mountains is watered by a stream called Shaw's fork, a branch of the Cowpasture river, and is of a thin soil, and badly cultivated. Near the head of the fork, are two beauti- ful mineral springs, about two miles apart, which would rank among the first watering places in Western Virginia, provided the necessary accom- modations could be furnished to visiters. The valley between the Cowpas- ture and Bullpasture mountains, is watered by the Cowpasture river, and is rather superior in point of soil and cultivation to the former. 'The valley. between the Bullpasture and Jackson's mountains, is watered by the Bull- pasture river, a rapid and beautiful stream, which furnishes n number of commodious sites for machinery. The soil in this valley is good, well adapted to the growth of grass, and the production of grain, is well im- proved, and in a tolerable state of cultivation. The valley between Jackson and the Fore mountains, is watered by Jackson's river, and will bear nearly the same description of the former. There is in the S. W. part of the county on the head of Jackson's river, a small village by the name of Woodsboro'. It contains seven houses, a tanyard, and various mechanics, but it is on the decline.

The Crab run is a beautiful stream of pure water; it has its rise at the

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WESTERN VIRGINIA -- PENDLETON.

eastern base of Jackson's mountain, and flows in a S. E. direction about ten miles, through the southern end of the county, and empties into the Bull- pasture river, about one mile below the post office of the same name. The wedge of land pointing above its junction with the Bullpasture, affords one of the most beautiful sites for a town that is any where to be found in this section of country, several dwelling houses, 1 mercantile store, a saw mill, a blacksmith shop, 1 house of public worship, and I common school, have been erected on this spot of ground, which is known by the name of Sugar Tree Grove.

'There are within the limits of this description, and south of the main Alleghany ridge, 3 houses of public worship, (Methodist,) 2 tan yards, 2 mercantile stores, and a sufficient number of common schools, for the edu- cation of youth, with various mechanics. From the main Alleghany ridge northwestward, this part of the county is divided into five valleys, by as many different parallel ridges of mountains. The first valley is watered by the south fork of the south branch of Potomac, and is situated between the Shenandoah aud Thorn mountains .- The south fork has its rise in the S. W. part of the county, within a few hundred yards of the head spring of the Cowpasture river, which flows the other way. From the head of the south fork for about 18 miles down the stream, the land is of a sandy soil, and is arid, thin and unproductive, and every thing wears the aspect of po- verty. Proceeding a little lower down, the bottom begins to widen, the soil becomes more fertile, the farms are more enlarged and in a better state of cultivation and repair. "The manners and dress of the people discover more polish,-the hair of their flocks and herds has changed its weather-worn deadness, for a slick and glossy coat, and every thing assumes the appear- ance of thriftiness and better living." The S. fork has but one tributary stream of any note, which it receives about ten miles from its source, and which is known by the name of Bushby's fork. There is one store on the head of the south fork. There are two others below this,-one about 20, the other about 30 miles,-the first is 15, the second 9, and the third 12 miles from Franklin county seat. 'There are also four houses of public worship on this water, (3 Lutheran and 1 Union.) The first is 19, the se- cond 15, the third 10, and the fourth 13 miles from the county seat. The S. fork flows N. E. and after passing into Hardy county, empties into the S, branch of the Potomac, about 4 miles below the county line. The S. branch of the Potomac is formed by the junction of Streight and Crab creeks, which have their rise in the N. W. part of the county, and flow a N. E. course through the county, watering the valley which lays between the 'Thorn and N. fork mountains. The soil in this valley is rich, and well adapted to grass and grain. In this valley are 4 houses of public worship, (I on the head of Streight creek, and 1 on Crab creek, ) the former 20, the latter 22 miles above Franklin, both of which belong to the Methodist; and I 12 miles below, and another 13, one of which is Lutheran and the other Methodist.

The S. branch is a pureand beautiful stream of water, and receives within this county the following streams: 3 miles above Franklin. the Black Thorn -10 miles below, Reed's creek-and 3 miles below this is Mill creek. Three miles above Franklin, there is a rich saltpetre cave, from which a vast quan- tity of uitre has been made, but the works are now idle. The entrance of the cave is a small aperture near the base of a small mountain, and it ex- tends under ground for some miles.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-PENDLETON.

The next portion in order, is the north fork valley, which is watered by the N. fork of the S. branch. It has its rise in the S. W. part of the county, and flows a N. E. course, and after passing into Hardy county empties into the S. branch a little below the county line, receiving in its course but one stream of any note, which is known by the name of Seneca. The land in this valley is good, and produces well both grass and grain. There are on the N. fork 2 houses of public worship, (both Methodist, ) and 1 store. Be- tween this and the main Alleghany mountain, there are two other ridges, the local names of which are Timber Ridge and Spruce mountain., 'The lands on these, as well as the other ridges of mountains in the county, are of tolerable soil, and but thinly settled; but they afford an excellent rango for stock during the summer season, and give birth to a number of springs of the best water. There are 2 other tan yards in this county besides those already named. No merchant mills, but the valleys are well furnished with common grist mills, carding machines,-blacksmiths, and other me- chanics.

Population in 1820, 4,836-in 1830, 6,271. It belongs to the 14th judicial circuit and 7th district. Tax paid in 1833, 81,032 46-in 1834 on lots, 828 30-land, $656 38-280 slaves, $70 00-3530 horses, $211 80-24 studs, 8104 50-2 coaches, $4 00-16 carryalls, 816 00- Total, $1090 98. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $515 43 -in 1833, 8520 93.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

CRAB RUN, P. V. 154 ms. N. W. carpenters, 1 cabinet and chair maker, by W. of R. and 196 S. W. by W. 1 printing office, 1 tailor, 2 black- of W., situated in the S. W. part of smiths, 1 gunsmith, and 2 boot and the county. A house of public en- tertainment, a grist and a saw mill,

shoe makers. Population 250 per- sons; of whom 2 are resident attor- a blacksmith's and a wheelwright's neys, and 1 a regular physicisn. shop are located here.

FRANKLIN, P. V. and seat of justice, 171 ms. N. W. by W. of R. day in every month ;- Quarterly in and the same distance S. W. by W. of W., in lat. 38º 42' and long. 2º ber. 26' W. of W. C., situated on the north

County Courts are held on the Wednesday succeeding the 1st Tues- March, June, September and Novem-

JUDGE SMITH holds his Circuit bank of the South Branch of the Po- Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the 2d of May and 3d of Oc- tober.

tomac, 20 miles from its source. It contains besides the ordinary county buildings, 30 dwelling houses, 1 com- mon school, 1 temperance and I bible from R. and 206 W. of W.

HULL'S STORE, P. O. 164 miles

society, 2 mercantile stores, 2 tan OAK FLAT, P. O. 176 ms. from R. yards 3 saddlers, 1 hatter, 2 house and 186 from W.

POCAHONTAS.

POCAHONTAS was established by act of the General Assembly in the year 1821, and formed from a portion of the counties of Bath, Pendleton and Randolph. It is bounded N. by Randolph, -E. by the Alleghany 53

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-POCAHONTAS.

ntountains which separate it from Pendleton and Bath,-S. by Greenbrier, -- and W. by Nicholas. Its mean length is 40 miles, mean breadth 173 ; and its area 794 square miles : its mean lat. is 38° 20' N. and long. 3º W. of W. C. This county is one of the most elevated in the Union. Cheat river, a branch of the Monongahela, rises in the northern part,-Gauley river, a branch of the Great Kanawha, rises in the western part, and Green- brier river, a branch likewise of the Great Kanawha, rises in the extreme northeastern part, and flowing in a southwestern direction, nearly parallel with the main Alleghany range, passes through Greenbrier into Monroe, on the border of which it unites with New.river. Knapp's creek, the largest tributary which the Greenbrier receives in this county, rises at the foot of the Alleghany, flows for some distance along its base, and then turning at right angles flows north west by Huntersville, and empties into the Green- brier a few miles below that town. The mean height of the arable soil of Greenbrier county is 1700 feet above the level of the ocean, and as it is situated lower down on the Greenbrier than the county of Pocahontas, it is fair to presume that the height of the lowest part of the latter must be at least equal to 1800 feet above the ocean, which is equivalent to four de- grees of latitude. Greenbrier mountain enters Pocahontas on the N. E. and passes through to the S. W .- from its western side flow Gauley and Elk rivers. The surface is very broken and rocky, but the southern part is quite productive of all the staples common to the same latitude,-towards the northeast the land is more barren. The principal timber which it pro- duces is white and black spruce, yew, pine, white oak, chesnut, sugar maple, hickory, beech, walnut, buck-eye, &c. &c. The inhabitants are honest, industrious, hospitable and enterprising citizens. Population in 1830, 2,541. It belongs to the 17th judicial circuit and 9th district. . Tax paid in 1833, $386 09-in 1834 on lots, $13 92-on land $199 36-136 slaves, $34 00-1154 horses, $92 76-6 studs, $29 00-1 coach, $2 00- 2 carryalls, $2 25. Total $373 29. Expended in educating poor chil- dren in 1832, $211 29-in 1833, $157 28.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

· CACKLEY'S P. O. 202 ms. N. W. GREEN BANK, P. O. 200 ms. from by W. of. R. and 244 from W., situ- R. and 242 W. of W., situated on the ated 2 ms. W. 'of Greenbrier river, immediately on the main post road leading from Huntersville to Lewis- burg, 12 ms. S. W. of the former, and 36 N. E. of the latter place. It contains several dwelling houses, 1 mercantile store, 1 oil mill, 1 carding machine, 1 tan yard, &c. &c. The denominations, called Deer Creek country around is mostly level and fertile, producing well Indian corn,

north bank of Deer creek, six miles above its intersection with the Green- brier river, and 19 north of Hunters- ville. This is merely a post office, situated in the heart of a thickly set- tled neighborhood, which contains 1 house of public worship, free for all

Umof Meeting House, Nihon schools, 1 well organized temperance, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, flax, &c., bible, tract and sunday school society, and is an excellent grass country. with a considerable library, 2 mer- cantile stores, several excellent coun- try mills, and various other mechan- This is called the Little Levels. First rate springs abound in almost every direction, and most or all of them ics. The land of the surrounding sink again after running a short dis- country is beautifully diversified by hill and dale. The soil is rich, pro-

ance.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA -POCAHONTAS.

ducing in abundance wheat, rye. oats .; Randolph co, and 48 from Lewisburg corn, &c. The principal pursuits of in Greenbrier county. There are the inhabitants are grazing and rais. near this village two sulphur springs, ing stock. ' 'There are large quanti- said to possess good qualities. Popu- Jation 125. persons; of whom 1 is a resident attorney. ties of butter, venison hamns, &c. tak. en to market from this section of country. The inhabitants are also County Courts are held on the 1st Tuesday in every month ; Quarterly in March, June, August, and Novem- ber. expert in the manufacture of sugar from the maple tree. There is a very great curiosity in the meanders of

· Deer creek. About 5 miles below Green Bank, the creek runs several miles round a considerable hill, and thence back within thirty poles of the place it had passed, affording some fine seats for manufactories, with suf- ficient water power to force machinery to any extent.

JUDGE TAYLOR holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the 2d of May and October.

MATTHEWSVILLE, P. O. 205 ms. from R. and 247 W. of W., situated on the main post road leading from Huntersville to Clarksburg, the coun- ty seat of Harrison, 15 miles from the former, and on Settlington's creek, a branch of the Greenbrier, 2} miles from its junction with the river. This post office is located in a densely set- vicinity are a considerable number of public worship, (Presbyterian,) 1 school house and 1 merchant mill, with a population.of about 400. The land of the surrounding country is fertile, - producing wheat, rye, oats, &c., but is more generally famed for fine meadow and pasture grounds.

. HUNTERSVILLE, P. V. and county seat, 191 ms. N. W. by W. of R. and 233 S. W. by W. of W., situated in lat. 38° 12' N. and long. 3º 1' W. of W. C. It is situated be- tled neighborhood, in its immediate tween Greenbrier and Alleghany ; mountains, at an elevation above the of scattering dwelling houses, 1 house Atlantic of upwards of 1,800 feet, on Knapp's creek, 6 miles from its junc- tion with the Greenbrier river. It contains besides the usual county buildings, 23 dwelling houses, (most- ly frame,) 3 mercantile stores, 2 ta- verns, and 1 school in which the or- dinary branches of English educa- KNAPP'S CREEK, P.O. 242 ms. S. W. of W. tion are taught, 2 tailors, 2 house car- penters and cabinet makers, 1 boot and shoe maker, and 1 blacksmith shop. There are inthis place 2 well organized bible classes, and 1 temper-

TRAVELLER'S REPOSE, P. O. 179 ms. from R. and 221 S. W. by W. of IV., situated in a thickly settled neigh- borhood, on the head of Greenbrier, ance society. A turnpike road has between the north and east forks of that river, immediately on the main post road leading from Staunton to Clarksburg, and 32 ms. from Hun- tersville, the county seat. It contains 12 dwelling house, 1 tavern, 1 store, and several mechanics. The soil is - productive of wheat, rye, oats, buck- wheat, potatoes, &c., affording excel- lent pasturage for stock. It is bound- ed by various mountains, the most noted is the Alleghany on the east,

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 55

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