A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 56

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 56
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 56

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lately been located from the Warm Springs in Bath county to Hunters- ville, thence to intersect the north- western road between Clarksburg and Parkersburg, or to strike the Ohio river below the latter place. The road when finished will add greatly to the advancement of this village and the surrounding country, there being as fine lands in this section as perhaps in any part of Virginia. Huntersville is 22 miles from the the Laurel Ridge on the west, and the Warm Springs, 65 from Beverly in Elk mountain on the north-which

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-PRESTON.

still abounds with the elk. The soil(is frequently met with here. The of these mountains is rich and affords Cheat mountain turnpike runs thro' immense ranges for cattle, &c. The this place and the mail is received timber is generally sugar maple, once a week on horseback, chesnut, oak, and pine. The fir tree

PRESTON.

PRESTON was created by the Legislature in 1818, from a portion of Monongalia county. It is bounded N. by Fayette county of Pennsylvania, -E. by Alleghany county of Maryland,-S. by Randolph,-and W. by Monongalia. . Its mean length is 30 miles, mean breadth 20; and area 601 square miles. Its mean lat. is 39° 30' and long. 2º 38' W. of W. C. Its extent and population have been somewhat increased, though we do not know precisely to what degree, since the taking of the last census and the publication of Boyee's map of the State, by extending its eastern border to the "Fairfax Stone," situated at the extreme southwestern angle of Mary. land. The main Alleghany chain runs near the eastern border of this county, and the Chesnut ridge separates it from Monongalia on the west. The body of the county is a valley between these two chains. Cheat river enters the southern side and winds to the N. W. dividing the county into two nearly equal sections.

The general face of the county is mountainous, interspersed on the east- ern and western sides with large natural meadows called "glades," which afford support for large herds of cattle in summer, and in winter also, when it is mown and cured for winter food. The glades are destitute of timber but covered in summer with grass and weeds, with frequent projecting points of timber, low bushes, &c. The soil of this section of the county is better suited to grass than grain, though small quantities of corn and wheat are grown in the glades, and abundant crops of oats, buckwheat and rye. The alluvial or bottom grounds are small but productive and many of the mountain and hill sides produce abundant crops of corn, wheat, rye, oats, &c. The principal water is Cheat river, about 180 yards wide at the Dunkard Bottom; though branches of the Monongahela and Youghiogany water a large part of the county. The general strata of rock so far as known, is a kind of sand stone, occasional portions of which are intermixed with flinty pebbles so compact as to be used for mill stones to advantage ; but much of it is easily wrought for building houses, &c. Slate and lime- stone is common ; the county is abundantly supplied with bituminous coal, and specimens of iron ore are often found. Population in 1820, 3,480- 1830, 5,144. This county belongs to the twentieth judicial circuit, and tenth district. Tax paid in 1833, $437 91-in 1834 on lots, $24 54- land $264 31-56 slaves, $14 00-1882 horses, 8112 92-17 studs, 873 50-2 carryalls, $3 00. Total $492 97. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $306 94-in 1833, 8361 92.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BRANDONVILLE, P. V. 280 ms. N.|a newly settled village, pleasantly W. of R. and 202 from W. This is |situated in the centre of a rapidly

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-PRESTON.

improving neighborhood, in the north-|modities raised for market, are live ern section of the county, about four miles from the Pennsylvania line, on the road leading from Smithfield in Pennsylvania to Morgantown, Vir- ginia. It contains 20 dwelling houses, 1 house of public worship, (Methodist,) 1 tavern, 1 tan yard, 1 saddler, I hatter, 1 wagon maker, 2 cabinet makers, 1 wheelwright and chair maker, 1 silversmith, 1 tailor, 1 blacksmith shop, 2 mercantile stores, I common school, 1 temperance and I colonization society. Popula- tion 100.

EVANSVILLE, P. O. situated in the western part of the county, near the tains that exceeds four and a half de- north western turnpike road.

GERMAN SETTLEMENT, P. O. 270 by the Legislature of Virginia is of ms. from R. and 270 N. W. by W. the greatest utility to this section of . . the State. The number of families which may be called attached to this settlement will not exceed 70, the ag gregate number of inhabitants about 500, and what may be further worthy of remark (in Virginia,) that in this number are not more than three or four blacks.

of W. situated 18 ms. S. E. of Kings- wood. This settlement, in the midst of which is situated a small village called Mount Carmel, took its name from its first settlers, who were Ger- mans. It contains between 80 and 100 dwelling houses, besides me- chanic's shops, &e , I house of public worship, free for all denominations, 2 mercantile stores, 3 grist mills, 4 saw mills, 1 wool carding machine, 2 tan yards, 2 gun smiths, 4 blacksmith shops, 1 wheelwright, I wagon ma- ker, 1 millwright, several house car- penters, cabinet makers, house-join- ers, &c. But. the principal pursuit of the inhabitants is agriculture. This settlement is watered by the Youghiogany, the north fork of which heads near Mount Carmel, and is known by the name of Ryan creek. Wolf creek which empties into Cheat river, also heads near this place. The soil is of the first quality, and pro- ductive of all kinds of grain; and es- pecially productive of grass. An abundance of potatoes and turnips are raised in this section of country. The climate is cool and salubrious. Pure springs of never failing water flow. in abundance through this set- tlement. The principal saple com- lon the 1st of April, and September.

stock of every discription, and large quantities of butter of the first quali- ity, &c. This settlement, like many others in Western Virginia, has been sealed up ever since the settling of the same, for want of suitable roads for transportation through the Alle- ghany mountains in order to unite in commerce with the eastern country. The northwestern turnpike road of Virginia from Winchester to Par- kersburg, passes immediately through the German Settlement. This road is in rapid progress, and there is no grade through the Alleghany moun .. grees. This appropriation of money

KINGWOOD, P. V. and seat of justice, 261 ms. from R. and 183 N. W. by W. of W., in lat. 39º 27' N. and long. 2º 45' W. of W. C., situated on a beautiful and healthy eminence, 2 ms. W. of Cheat river, 20 E. of Morgantown, 43 from Clarksburg, in Harrison county, and 60 from Beverly, in Randolph county. It contains besides the ordinary coun- ty buildings, which are substantially built of stone, 25 dwelling houses, 3 mercantile stores, 1 tanyard, and va- rious mechanics. Population about 150 persons; of whom 3 are resi- dent attorneys, and I a regular phy- sician.

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

JUDGE FRY holds his Circuit Su- perior Court of Law and Chancery

Soigu

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-RANDOLPH.

RANDOLPH.

RANDOLPH Was established by act of Assembly in the year 1787, and formed from a portion of Harrison county. It is bounded N. by Preston,- N. E. by the Alleghany mountain, which separates it from Hardy,-E. by the same mountain, separating it from Pendleton,-S. by Pocahontas,-S. W. by Nicholas,-W. by Lewis and Harrison,-and N. W. by Mononga- lia. Its mean length is 663 miles diminished by the difference which would be occasioned by taking from it that portion which is laid down -in our maps as co-terminous with Maryland,-which has been added to Preston,- its inean breadth 31; and its area 2,061 square miles, diminished by the area of the above space alluded to: extending in lat. from about 38º 18' to 39º 11' N. and in long. from about 2º 15' to 3º 28' W. of W. C.

This county is one of the finest on the western side of the Alleghany mountains, and is made up of several parallel ranges of mountains with their intervening vallies. The largest of these mountains commencing on the east is the Alleghany, which runs north and south dividing this county from Pendleton; the next in order are Rich, Middle and Shaver mountains, running in the same direction. At the foot of the latter, flows Shaver's Fork, which is stocked with some of the finest fish which the western wa- ters afford. This stream empties into the Monongahela, 12 miles below Morgantown. The next mountain is the Valley mountain, which derives its name from Tygart's valley. This valley constitutes a considerable por- tion of the county, being about 35 miles in length, and 2 in breadth, and a body of as fine land as any in Western Virginia, and in a high state of im- provement. Through this valley flows the middle branch of the Mononga- hela, or Tygart's valley river, to which it gives source. The next moun- tain is the Laurel, which runs also a north and south course, the whole length of the valley; at the extremity of which it makes a bend and takes a northeast direction, till it meets Cheat river, whence it flows nearly in a north course, till it enters the State of Pennsylvania. At the foot of Ty- gart's valley, where the Laurel hill makes its angle to the east, Chester river breaks through the mountain. The valley and mountains presenting the strongest evidence that at some early day they had formed a lake. These mountains afford some of the finest streams of water in Western Virginia, the principal of which are the Dry fork-Laurel fork-Glade fork-and Shaver's fork-all handsome streams, having their rise in the S. W. part of the county, running parallel within a few miles of each other, and after tra- versing a considerable distance through the county emptying into Cheat river. The mountains are well stocked with the finest timber, such as every de- scription of the oak, poplar, cherry, pine, fir, red cedar, &c .- and they are almost a mass of stone coal and iron ore. The soil of these mountains is very rich, and abounds with lime stone, slate and free stone. In some parts of these mountains are found small caverns or caves, in which is found a kind of copperas-fit for dye, and which is used for that purpose,-and along some of the water courses is found the allum peeping out of the joints of the rocks, forming in the shape of icicles. Among all these water courses and low grounds are found salt springs. There has been salt made to a considerable amount, but for the want of funds and men of enterprise, these useful minerals remain in their natural state.

In this county are a considerable number of fine stoek farms, which graze and raise annually for market live stock of every description, which is the

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-RANDOLPH.

principal source of its wealth. There were raised and sent to market from this county during the past year ending Now'r 1st, 1833, 1,500 head of horned cattle, 300 sheep, and 100 horses.

Population in 1830, 5,000. It belongs to the 18th judicial circuit, and 9th district. Tax paid in 1833, $618-in 1834, on lots, $16 56-on land, 8403 93-144 slaves, $36 00-2133 horses, $127 98-8 studs, $46 00- 3 coaches, 86 00-3 carryalls, $3 00-Total, $639 47. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $280 64-in 1833, $600 09.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BEVERLY, P. V. and seat of dists, are met with. This village con- justice, 210 ms. N. W. by W. of R. tains a population of 166 whites, of and 221 S. W. of W .- in lat. 38° 50' whom two are resident attornies, and two regular physicians,-16 slaves and 2 free colored-Total, 184. N. and long. 2º 55' W. of W. C .- situated near the centre of Tygart's Valley, near 'T'ygart's Valley river, County Courts are held on the 4th Monday in every month ;- Quarter- ly in March, June, August and .Vo- vember. on a handsome plain, stretched out be- tween Phillis's creek, and Dotson's run. The former entering the river a little above, and the latter about a Circuit Superior Courts of Law and Chancery are held on the 19th of A- pril and 13th September by JUDGE DUNCAN. quarter of a mile below the town .- Beverly contains besides the public buildings, 3. mercantile stores; 2 ta- verns, I common school, I tahyard, 2 BILLSBORO, .P. O. 240 me. from R. and.224 from W. saddlers, 2 boot and summe factories.8. blacksmith shops, + hatter, 1 wagon BOOTHE'S FERRY, P S. from R. and 299 W. of W-Situated on the east side of Tygart's Valley river, 20 ms. N. W. of Beverly, and 30 S. E. of Clarksburg, in Harrison county. Two considerable streams enter Tygart's Valley river above this P. O. Middle river 7 miles above,; maker, 1 house carpenter, 2 tailors, &c .- This village is distant 60 miles nearly due S. from Morgantown, in Monongalia county, and 45 S. E. of Clarksburg, in Harrison county. The Valley river has its source in the mountain, and courses along nearly in a northwardly direction through the and Buchanan river only four and a valley.The land on its borders pos- half miles above. The P. O. is lo- cated on a farm of rich bottom lands. There are located at this point 3 dwel- ling houses, 1 saw and 1 grist mill running two pair of stones, and a wool carding machine. There are in the vicinity four coal banks, two of which are within a few yards of the boat landing; there is also a great quantity of iron ore of the best quali- ty, within a few yards of the river and near the coal banks. 'The soil is good, and produces corn, wheat, rye, oats, &c. in abundance, and is equal to any country for timothy and clover. 'The river is the line of separation be- tween Harrison and Randolph for sesses a considerable degree of fertili- ty; and the eye in traversing it be- holds some fine mountain scenery, (being completely environed with spurs of the Alleghany mountain, ) as well as some handsome farms in a high state of cultivation. Proceeding down the Valley, at different points from 12 to 18 miles below the town, common roads cross the mountains, leading to the lower, and thickly set- tled parts of the county. As we pro- ceed down the Valley, at various in- tervals, fine farms, mercantile stores, and houses of public worship, for Presbyterians, Baptists and Metho.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-ROCKBRIDGE.

about 43 miles above, and as far be-(Pittsylvania, Pa. This is merely a low as this county extends. It is about post office, situated on a farm in the midst of a flourishing part of the country. 40 miles to the mouth of this river, at which point it unites with the West fork river and becomes the Monongahela. The river at this place is about 120 yards wide, and has to be crossed in a boat about 8 months in the year. The road leading from Clarksburg crosses at this ferry. The northwest- ern turnpike has been laid out to cross about 16 miles below.

GLADY CREEK CROSS ROADS, P. O. 244 mns. from R. and 220 from W. HUTTONSVILLE, P. O. 199 miles from R. and 231 W. of W. C.

LEEDSVILLE, P. V. 218 ins. from R. and 229 from W .- situated at the jare not given on the P. O. list. passage of Tygart's Valley river, through the Laurel mountain, 8 ms. N. N. E. of Beverly, on the main post road leading from Philadelphia from R. and 229 from W. and Baltimore through Winchester to

MIEGSVILLE, P. V. 256 ms. from R. and 208 WV. of W. It contains 5 dwelling houses, 1 house of entertain- ment, 1 gunsmith, 1 blacksmith's shop, 1 tanyard, 1 saddler and a distillery. In this little village is established a small ingenious weaving manufactory, with several looms of various descrip- tions, executing a variety of figured work. The soil of the surrounding [country is rich; and stone coal is eve- ry where close at hand.

SKIDMORE's P. O .- The distances

WESTERN FORD, P. O. 240 ms. W. of R. and 251 from W.

WYATT'S FERRY, P. O. 245 ms.

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ROCKBRIDGE was established by act of Assembly in 1778, and formed from a portion of Augusta and Botetourt counties. It is bounded N. by Augusta,-E. by the Blue Ridge which separates it from Nelson,-S. E. by the same mountain, separating it from Amherst,-S. by Bedford,-S. W. by Botetourt, and W. by Alleghany and Mill mountains, a portion of the Great Kittatinny chain which separates it from Alleghany, and N. W. by the same separating it from Bath. Its mean lat. is about 37º 45' N. and long. 2° 30' W. of W. C .- Its mean length is 31 mean breadth 22; and area 680 square miles. This county is principally watered by North river, branch of James river, and its tributaries. It flows diagonally through the county from the N. W. to the S. E. and joins the main branch of James river at the foot of the Blue Ridge, when their united waters force a passage through. The name of this county is taken from the celebrated NATURAL BRIDGE, of which an account is given below. There are in the county 10 mercantile stores, 6 iron forges, three furnaces, 13 houses of public wor- ship, (of which 9 are Presbyterian,) and 24 grist and merchant mills; .besides those mentioned in the Towns, Villages, &c. Much of the soil is of the first quality, and generally in a high state of cultivation.

Population in 1820, 11,945-in 1830, 14,244. It belongs to the 12th judi- cial circuit, and 6th district. Tax paid in 1833, 83131 41-in 1834, on lots, $208 58-on land, $1831 33-2037 slaves, $509 25-5250 horses, $315 00 -- 21 studs, $206 00-37 coaches, $98 21-21 carryalls, $21 70 -7 gigs, 85 20-Total, $3195 27. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, 8373 76-in 1833, 8748 40.

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-ROCKBRIDGE.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BALCONY FALLS, P. O. 153 ms. Jof bar. iron-The furnace 700 tons of pig metal, and a large quantity of castings. The two consuming 300 thousand bushels of charcoal per an- num. The number of operatives em- ployed are sixty-five. Yet there are something like 150 persons supported by its operations, including women and children. Attached to this es- tablishment is a large farm, a part of which, supposed to be 350 acres, is first rate bottom land,-by which the proprietors are enabled to raise nearly their full supply of grain; the quan- tity required being 4,500 bushels ;- from 3,000 to 3,500 bushels of which are raised annually from the farm .- This establishment is owned by Messrs. A. W. & M. W. Davis. .

from R. and 210 S. W. by W. of W. These falls are situated on James ri- ver, near the western extremity of the James river canal, and form the divid- ing line between the counties of Rock- bridge, Bedford, and Amherst. The scenery near this spot is highly pic- turesque. After toiling for a consid- crable distance through a wild and rugged country-on turning the sharp angle of the mountain, the river sud- denly expands to the breadth, and as- sumes the quiet and placid appearance of a lake. Immediately opposite, two of the most stupendous peaks of the Blue Ridge, rise directly from the banks. 'The whole stream is suddenly narrowed by the projecting sides of the mountain, and precipitates itself in one entire sheet over an artificial danı, which is extended across the bed of the river, between the inost elevat- ed points of the peaks. After the fall the tumultuous stream is soon lost sight of, by the windings of the chan- nel. The dam was erected for the purpose of supplying with its back water that portion of the canal which runs upon the edge of the fall. This" portion of the canal, seven miles in extent, was constructed by the state at the cost of $280,000, About two miles of this canal is in the county of Rockbridge.

BATH IRON WORKS, P. O. 167 ms. W. of R. and 209 S. W. by W. of W .- Situated in the southern part of the county, on the northeastern bank of James river, within ten miles of its source,-15 miles from Lexing- ton,-and 22 from the Warm Springs in Bath county. These works con- sist of a furnace and forge, both built on an extensive scale-the furnace is 40 feet high, and calculated for mak- ing 30 tons of pig iron pr. week, but has never yet reached that amount. The forge is built for running six fires, and will annually forge 300 tons

BELLE VALLEY, P. O. 147 ms. W. of R. and 188 S. W. by W. from W. -Situated in the northeastern part of the county.

BROWNSBURG, P. V. 143 ms. N. W. of R. and 185 from W .- Situated 12 miles N. E. of Lexington, on Maf- fits creek, and on the direct route from Staunton to Lexington. It contains 20 dwelling houses, 3 mercantile stores, 1 tavern, 1 tanyard, 1 saddler, 2 tailors, 3 wheelwrights, 1 cabinet maker, 2 smith shops, 2 boot and shoe factories, 1 house carpenter, 1 hatter, 1 manufacturing flour mill, and 1 grist mill. In the immediate vicinity there is a large and spacious house of pub- lic worship, long known by the name of New Providence meeting house. Population 120 persons; of whom 3 are physicians. Brownsburg is lo- cated in a flourishing and thickly set- tled neighborhood.

BUFFALO FORGE, P. O. 156 ms. from R. and 206 from W .- Situated 8 miles W. of Lexington.

CEDAR GROVE, P. O. 145 ms. N. W. of R .- Situated ten miles N. E. of Lexington. It contains 2 mercan- tile stores, and 1 manufacturing flour (mill

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WESTERN VIRGINIA-ROCKBRIDGE.

FAIRFIELD, P. O. 144 ms. from| In the vicinity of this forge is a house R. and 186 from W .- Situated on one of public worship, (Methodist,) and 1 manufacturing flour mill. One mile below this establishment is located Maburry's Iron Works, employing the same number of operatives as the one above, the same quantity of ma- chinery, and manufacturing the same weight of bar iron annually. The country around is rich, and abounds with iron ore of the first quality. . of the post routes from Lexington to Staunton, 13. ms. N. N. E. from the former, and 24 from the latter. It contains about 20 dwelling houses, 1 house of public worship, free for all denominations, 2 taverns, 1 mercantile store, 1 tanyard, 1 saddler, 2 boot and shoe factories, 2 house carpenters and 1 smith's shop. Population 130 per. sons; of whom 2 are physicians.

FANCY HILL, P. O. 164 ms. from R. and 206 S. W. of .W. It is plea- santly situated nine miles from Lex- ington, in a fertile and well watered .country. It contains several dwelling houses, 1 mercantile store, 1 extensive tavern, well kept, and which receives much company in the summer season, and 1 tailor's shop. A physician re- sides here.

LEBANON FORGE, situated on the North fork of James river. . These iron works, owned by Messrs. Ma- thews &. Bryan, are now in extensive operation, manufacturing pig metal into bar iron. The establishment con- sists of a forge, with. a smith's shop and saw mill as appendages. The apparatus employed consists of three refining fires, one chafry which draws bar iron, and two forge hammers, weighing from five to six hundred weight each. The average amount manufactured at this forge, from the 'metal, or pigs, is one hundred and fif- ty tons of bar iron annually. It re- quires 225 tons of metal, or pigs, to make 150 tons of bar iron. The boot and shoc factories, 2 blacksmiths,

number of operatives necessarily em- ployed at this establishment, in manu- facturing the iron, are 35, and the ag- gregate number of persons supported by it are 70. T'en hands are employ- ed in making the iron, 2 in the black- smith's shop, 1 sawyer, 4 colliers, 8 wood.cutters, 2 wood carriers, 1 wa- 'goner, 5 farmers, I clerk and mana ger, and 1 overseer, the balance being women and children ;- out of the 35 actively employed, 8 have families, --

LEXINGTON, P. T. and Seat of Justice, 156 ms. N. W. of R. and 198 from W. in lat. 37° 14' N. and long. 2° 21' W. of W. C .- situated on a gentle ascent, a few rods from the north bank of the North river, a branch of James river, 10 miles above its junction, and 35 N. W. of Lynch- burg. The act of Assembly of 1778, which authorised the formation of the county, also directed the location of this town. Its buildings, like those of all new towns, were constructed of wood. In 1794 they were nearly all destroyed by fire,-since that time, they have been erected of more dura- ble materials, and with more regard to regularity. The number of houses it now contains, besides the ordinary county buildings, are about 150, most- ly of brick, with 2 houses of public worship, (1 Presbyterian and 1 Metho- dist.) There are 8 mercantile stores, 4 taverns, 1 book store, 1 printing of- fice, from which a weekly paper is issued, 2 tinplate works, 2 watch ma- kers and silversmiths, 3 hatters, 2 wa- gon makers, 2 tanyards, 5 saddlers, 5 2 cabinet makers, 4 house carpenters and I bricklayer.

Lexington was formerly the great thoroughfare to the west, from the more eastern parts of Virginia, and though other more direct routes have been established, it still continues to be much travelled, by wagons from 'Tennessee to Baltimore, &c. laden with such articles, as will return an ample profit, besides defraying the expenses of transportation, &c.

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 56

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