USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 40
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Mr. Rouss stated his plan, that his desire was to see a memorial building on the old square, but the Board of supervisors would not allow it to be done. The writer told him if he would put $50,000 into the building, provide a court room and clerk's office for the circuit court, and allow the horses to occupy the old places on the square,
right they had in such portion of the square, as that the board of supervisors would grant all the
the city would need; and, that if this was done, he would not see a horse on the square at the end of five years; that the people would of their own volition, cease to stand their vehicles around the fine memorial building he proposed to erect to his old-timers. He assented to this plan, and arranged to meet the Board at the residence of Mr. Marrion Bantz in Winchester, and there learn what their views were. He was told that the Board knew nothing of this the writer's visit, and when he met the supervisors, he could make this proposition, and the writer believed they would accept it. In a short time he came; and
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Mr. Bantz very quietly entertained the party. At the table, he was requested to ask each super- visor if he would agree to such a plan. All an- swered affirmatively; and all parties separated, feeling the work was done. Had this plan been carried out, the city would never have been called upon to appropriate $9,000 for the pur- pose of purchasing the Grim property for a hitch- ing yard for the county. Before leaving for his home, Mr. Rouss had interviews with several prominent city gentlemen, that resulted in a change of his views which, as will be shown, was unfortunate for the city. Mr. Rouss prob- ably would have erected the entire building at his own cost, whether it required $50,000 or more; and as was pointed out to him by the writer in the interview referred to, the memorial would be strictly his own, without aid from either city or county. After his return to New York, he authorized the purchase of what was known as the Jacobs lot; and August 7, 1899, Mr. Barton notified the board of supervisors, then in session, that the city had a new proposi- tion to offer, the substance of which was, that the parties should agree to a division of the market square; the city to build on her portion, and the county abandon the square as a hitch- ing yard,-the city to furnish the Jacobs lot for hitching yard, etc. This the Board rejected, giv- ing as reason, that the said lot was not suited for such purposes; that its location in rear of the law offices on court house avenue, and its close proximity to the Baker residences on Mar- ket Street, would become a nuisance, that in a short time would have to be abated, and the result would be the county would lose the hitch- ing yard that she had so tenaciously held on to so long. The Board suggested that if a suitable place could be found, they were not averse to such plan. This occasioned some delay, which the city regarded as a hardship, and became alarmed; fearing Mr. Rouss would repudiate the whole transaction, and withdraw his generous offer. Several citizens, representing both sides, held conferences on the subject, which resulted in another proposition presented by a committee from the council to the board of supervisors, Oct. 5, 1899, in substance this: that the city would pay the county $8,500 in consideration of the removal of all hitching posts thirty feet dis- tant from the West line of the proposed build- ing, partition to be made of the square, and the agreement to be incorporated in a consent decree. This was accepted by the Board, and the agree- ment signed by E. Holmes Boyd, Dr. Wm. P. McGuire and Chas. A. Heller, committee from the city, and by Wm. H. Dinges, chairman of the Board, duly attested by T. K. Cartmell, clerk.
This settlement was submitted to Mr. Rouss, who immediately wrote Mr. Barton another character- istic letter, which was presented to the Board Oct. 7, ('99), Mr. Rouss opposed any settle- ment that tolerated hitching horses and stand- ing wagons, etc., on any part of the square, ex- cepting the small portion immediately South of the clerk's offices. Of course, this annulled the agreement. The parties on both sides realized that the horse must go-or the city would not receive aid from the millionaire who could dic- tate terms. The Board agreed to consider other plans promptly, and we find the committee be- fore the Board again on the 11th October, '99, with a proposition that was agreed to, which was: The City to pay the county $9,000; pave the plaza, and erect water closets, etc., in rear of the clerk's office; to erect the stone wall from the corner of said office to Water Street-the plaza to be 61 feet in width from the East end of the court house; and the county not to be hindered in any way in purchasing the Grim lot and using the same for a hitching yard. This lot had been conditionally purchased by the Board. To this all parties agreed; and the final transaction was solemnly executed in the pres- ence of counsel for both sides-R. E. Byrd, A. R. Pendleton and Wm. H. McCann for the county, and Robert M. Ward, for the city.
This agreement was signed by E. Holmes Boyd, Dr. Wm. P. McGuire, and Chas. A. Heller, com- mittee for the city, attested by Geo. H. Kinzel, City Tresr., with the corporation seal; Wm. H. Dinges, chairman of board of supervisors, at- tested by T. K. Cartmell, clerk of Board, with seal of County.
All the members of the Board standing near, to-wit: James Cather, Clark Cather, H. P. Whitacre and Thomas E. Morrison, a good pho- tograph was secured of the scene, which now adorns the wall of the board of supervisors' room over the clerk's office. There was great rejoic- ing over the happy ending. Mr. R. E. Byrd ten- dered the entire party a formal reception at his residence the same evening, where all enjoyed every feature of that memorable banquet.
A decree of court was soon obtained, confirm- ing the settlement; partition deeds were executed and recorded in both offices. (Deed Book No. 119, pp. 405-6-7, County clerk's office).
The tearing down of the old market house was started during the Winter. By Spring a large force of workmen were preparing the founda- tion; while the County proceeded to convert the Grim property, purchased for $10,000, into the hitching yard now in use, corner Water and Market Streets. All parties enjoyed the changes.
City Hall, Winchester, Va. ( Market Street Entrance)
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was told an incident relating to this make of wagon : An old Forty-Niner said, when his com- pany started on that great expedition to the gold fields of California, they equipped the company with the best supplies procurable; and that the only wagon that survived the six months' usage, was the one marked Newtown Stephensburg. Germans composed the population, and held to the use of their language until about 1800. Kercheval says his first acquaintance with the town was in 1784; and the German language was generally used. The Stephens family was German. Peter always signed any paper he executed in German; Lewis likewise for many years. The town is located on high ground, so that the scenery of all the mountains on the border land, is so varied in its beauty, that the eye can always find new objects to admire within the scope of vision. The surrounding country is populated with frugal, well-to-do farmers. The town has always main- tained a reputation for its stores, shops and tav- erns. In ye olden times, there were several of the latter; and often the court was called upon to restrict the management, especially on the Big Muster days. These taverns were well- known stopping places for the old covered wagon, and fine teams. Then and there the villagers would gather to hear the news from Alexandria or Tennessee; and the flowing bowl was patron- ized freely. That was Newtown a half century and more ago. The Stephens City we find there now, knows nothing of the old transportation system. The railroad passes her station about one-fourth of a mile to the West, carrying all supplies for the increased volume of business. No flowing bowl there any more-no old-time tavern. An attractive hotel takes the place of the old land-mark. In another chapter will be shown who some of the population were, then and now. The subject of churches has been treated fully under the head of "Churches." The town was incorporated in 1879, and has a good municipal government. The many smoke-stacks near the station, mark the place of the great lime kilns, where many thousand barrels of pure lime are burned yearly, and find a market in the Southern States.
The tranquil life of this beautiful little city was much disturbed for some time by one of the citizens of the town securing a patent from the State of Virginia, to appropriate that portion of the Common that had not been theretofore taken by the town for public uses; his claim when he got the grant in August, 1906, being, that it was for waste and ungranted land. Having received his deed, he proceeded to sell lots. Then the de- scendants of the old Indian fighters, got out their war-paint, and the battle royal opened. A wise
judge soon disposed of the claim when the case got into his hands: "The common must remain as the founder intended, for use of all, for public purposes." So quiet again prevails, without fear of similar attacks in the future.
Woodstock.
The old German, Jacob Miller, who had set- tled on the land where Woodstock now stands, must have entertained large ideas of his new country. He had resided at this point for nearly thirty years; had gathered around him many of his kindred and friends, who had erected houses on both sides of the main road leading North and South, securing deeds from Miller for the sites; and for many years it was described in old con- veyances as Mueller's (Miller's) Town, or Muel- lerstadt. In March, 1761, Miller secured an Act to establish his town under the name of Wood- stock. It appears from the language of the char- ter, that he had great expectations, for we find he laid off twelve hundred acres for his town, subdivided into 192 building lots, 96 into half-acre lots for this purpose, the remainder into streets, alleys, and a number of five-acre lots known as the out-lots. By referring to Sketches of Church- es, it will be seen that the German language and customs prevailed, and rigidly controlled affairs, with no change in this respect until the appear- ance of Rev. Peter Muhlenburg. Woodstock was well located to attract the business of the increas- ing population. Being on a well travelled road, it grew and waxed strong, and was a town of considerable proportions. When Dunmore county was taken from Frederick in 1772, Woodstock was with unanimous approval, chosen as the coun- ty seat. The citizens at their first court adopted a resolution endorsing the administration of Lord Dunmore. We find the citizens in October, 1777, adopting a resolution, condemning this Dunmore, and instructed their Burgess to secure an Act to change the name from Dunmore to Shenandoah, after the bold and beautiful mountain stream pass- ing through the two valleys, lying East and West of the Massanutten Range.
The town is almost due South from Winchester, 30 miles distant. It was famous during the Co- lonial period, as the rendezvous of the brave men who met and fought the Indians in their numer- ous visitations; and in the Revolutionary War period, her name is prominent in the annals of that War. It will be seen in notes on the two periods mentioned, who many of her citizens were, who rallied under Muhlenburg and Morgan. Woodstock has always been prominent in the educational feature, leading off with noted schools, and coming to the front with her "press" work- men of adaptability in charge, who helped shape
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her interesting history. Strong men they were who lived in Woodstock in the early days, of whom we hope to speak in other pages.
Woodstock of to-day presents the appearance of a quiet little city, supplied with all that is needed for the splendid population of the place and vicinity, by up-to-date mercantile houses. -The Massanutten Academy, and Public Schools -one of the best weekly newspapers published in the country, under the editorial control of an old Confederate veteran, who followed Col. Lige White through many noted campaigns- Capt. Jno. H. Grabill, is doing good service for his prosperous section. The reader should take time to drive down to the Shenandoah about a mile distant, and enjoy the river and mountain scenery; and then extend his observations and visit the Massanutten Fall, a cataract of about 50 feet of perpendicular descent, distant about two miles to the Eastward. The town has a fine water supply. The several denominations of Christians have beautiful, modern church build- ings, the Episcopal being on very historic ground, -- virtually the site of the first church edifice erect- ed in Woodstock about 1773, when the German Lutheran and Reformed Calvinist congregations worshipped together. This is more fully set forth under head of Churches.
The author adds the following note as a de- sirable reference; inasmuch as the foundation for all land titles of Woodstock, is in the old Fred- erick county clerk's office. As late as 1791, Henry Ott, executor of Jacob Miller, executed deeds to many persons who had failed to secure convey- ances from Miller in his lifetime, for their lots in Woodstock; and such deeds are recorded in Frederick County. This may remove the difficul- ties found in tracing title and boundaries of the lots, as the author well knows.
Strasburg
This was the next town established by law in the Lower Valley, and for many years before its erection, was called Staufferstadt, in honor of its founder Peter Stover. In Nov., 1761, Stover applied for and received his charter; and then it was the name was changed to Strasburg, bear- ing the name of his birthplace in the Faderland. The trustees were William Miller, Mathew Har- rison, Jacob Bowman, Valentine Smith, Chas. Buck, Peter Stover, Isaac Hite, Leonard Baltice (Balthis) John Funk, and Philip Huffman. This Act forbade stick chimneys for houses. Here also the Germans controlled their affairs, and held tenaciously to their language and customs. The town made slow growth until within the last few years. Her citizens are refined and well-to-do. The stores and schools are of good type. She boasts of a hospital superintended by Dr. Bruin,
and an up-to-date hotel, the Chalybeate House, presided over by an ex-Confederate, Mr. McIn- turff, who takes delight in teaching his guests to angle for the finny tribe in the River hard-by, and he also does in providing for the whetted appetite. One of the first mills operated West of the Blue Ridge was Funk's Wheat and Corn Mill, located near the site of the present town.
Romney was not known to fame or name when Hampshire County was taken from Old Fred- erick in 1754; for we have no evidence that the small cluster of houses found there when the Indian battles of The Trough and Hanging Rock were fought, was dignified by a name. Some traditions fix the place as Furman's Fort; one gives it as Wappatomka Village. There was a village of the latter name on the South Branch, formed by the first settlers in that Valley when the River bore the Indian name of Wappa-To- Ma-Ka, signifying the hunting regions of the Del- aware Chief Wappa, who was supposed to have obtained this right by his prowess in wielding his tomahawk ;- and from this was derived the name Wappatomahawk, subsiding finally to the name given by the Whites of the village they had formed on the banks of the stream, as they huddled their families together for mutual pro- tection. We have evidence that a number of squatters were there when Lord Fairfax decided to establish a town. Washington, his surveyor, reported this fact to his Lordship, in his field notes. So we find by an Act of the General As- sembly, Nov., 1762, Fairfax "laid off fifty acres into streets and lots of half-acre each." The Act then prescribes rules to govern the same, through trustees, and the town was named Romney. This was eight years subsequent to the formation of the County. It is not known that the county seat was at this village prior to its establishment by law. Some writers have fixed the place lower down the river, while some have gone so far as to fix the vicinity of Springfield as the place for holding the first courts. Certain it is that Rom- ney has been the county seat since 1762. It can justly claim the title bestowed by a sketch writer "The Mountain City." Though it can boast of little increase in population, yet it has been dis- tinctive as a seat of learning-the home of Dr. Wm. Henry Foote, who gave us volumes of sketches of Virginia and North Carolina. The Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylums of West Virginia, have formed part of its history for the last thirty years. The Northwestern Turnpike forms its Main street. Its mercantile interests and other business of the town have been enhanced by the railroad to Greenspring Station on the Main line of the B. & O. R. R Other mention of the town will be found in notes on the Romney Church.
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The Indian Mound Cemetery derives its name from the Indian mound found within its enclos- ure. This mound indicates the existence at this point of an Indian village, when the Delawares held sway.
Mechlinburg was established by law November, 1762. The town was laid off by Capt. Thomas Shepherd. The little village once bore the name of "Pack Horse Ford," signifying the place on the Cohongoroota, where the pack-horse trains crossed the river, and also where the pack-horses were relieved of their burdens. All orders of court speak of the village as "Pack Horse," to and from which, roads were opened to the county seat at Winchester and to neighboring settlements. While the village was also called Shepherdstown for many years, it was legally known as Meck- linburg until 1798, when by an Act of Assembly it was given the name of Shepherds Town, in honor of its founder, at which time additions to the town were made; and the town assumed all the rights of incorporation granted Mecklinburg by Act of Assembly Dec. 2, 1793. The trustees elected in accordance with this Act were Abra- ham Shepherd, Henry Bedinger, Conrad Byers, Jacob Haynes, John Morrow, Henry Line, and Wm. Chapline. the names suggesting that the German element was in this section, although it has been frequently stated in sketches of the place, that the Welch and Scotch-Irish were the first settlers. We have shown elsewhere who were the first settlers along the Cohongaroota and its tributaries, date of their grants, etc. The reckless statement made by one writer that Mecklinburg antedated Winchester by twenty years, and the settlement made there prior to 1727, can be attributed to his willing ear, eager to catch the vaporings of some enthusiasts whose imaginations must be gratified. His utter fallacy is easily proven by public and private records, and by other traditions existing in the same sec- tion to-day. We offer no word to detract from the credit of the splendid citizenship of the New Mecklinburg settlement; but they were not the first settlers. None were better, though; they have left their records to posterity, and we must not allow ourselves to misrepresent them. The growth of the town justified the enabling Act of Genl. Assembly, secured Feby. 18, 1820. This Act provided for an election of Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common Council. To this new body of rulers, was given the name of The Com- mon Hall of Shepherdstown. This town has the distinction that no other in the Valley can claim: At one time a conspicuous village in Frederick County, an incorporated town in Berkeley Coun- ty, and for more than one hundred years an im- portant town in Jefferson County,-the latter being
formed in 1801. Its development was slow; but to-day, the attractive little City on the Potomac, about twelve miles above Harpers Ferry, shows what has been done by its population. She boasts of her splendid churches, as shown in other pages,-eight in number : one Lutheran, one Pro- testant Episcopal, two Methodist (white) one old Reformed, one Presbyterian, one Roman Cath- olic, two colored churches, Baptist and Metho- dist. The Shepherd College, one of the popu- lous schools of the Lower Valley, has been for many years conspicuous. A branch of the State Normal Schools has been successful in this con- nection, and a Graded School of high order. Sev- eral private schools also are found. The news- paper interests have kept stroke with the town's progress. The first to be published in town was the American Eagle in 1815, by Maxwell & Har- per; The Journal in 1823, by John Alburtis; The Register, by Hardy & McAuly, in 1849, who were succeeded by capable men; it finally becoming one of the most attractive papers published in the Valley, with H. L. Snyder at the helm. With the Shepherdstown Bank, numerous lines of mer- cantile interest, and all trades represented, the little city is justly entitled to the good name she bears.
Bath has an interesting history, inasmuch as the site was selected by Lord Fairfax; and it was on his motion that it received its charter and name by an Act of the General Assembly, Oct., 1776, antedating the establishment of other and larger towns in the Valley. It was known then as the Warm Spring tract, part of a large tract known in the surveys made by Washington as the Swan Pond tract. The medicinal waters of this Spring had already attracted the attention of several families who erected cabins and re- sorted there. Fairfax felt the necessity of pre- serving the springs for use of the public. He laid off fifty acres into streets and lots, adjoin- ing the springs. The charter describes the loca- tion as being part of a larger tract of land the property of the right honorable Thomas, Lord Fairfax, or other persons holding grants from him. The trustees appointed were Bryan Fair- fax, Thomas Bryan Martin, Warner Washington, Rev. Chas. M. Thruston, Robert Rutherford, Thomas Rutherford, Alexander White, Philip Pendleton, Samuel Washington, Wm. Elzey, Van Swearingen, Thomas Hite, James Edmunson, and James Nourse, Gents. It must not be concluded that the trustees were citizens of that section ; . for it is a well-known fact that they were not. Pendleton and Elzey owned land in the Western part of Berkeley at that time, and both families became prominent in that section later on. The Pendletons from that period have been well-
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known owners of large landed estates. The State of Virginia exercised control of the Springs, and several times passed laws to govern the free use of the water. When Morgan County was formed from Berkeley and Hampshire in 1820, the place was soon designated as the county seat, and the name changed to Berkeley Springs. In recent years, the place has grown in importance. Sev- eral fine hotels, court house and large mercantile houses, churches, schools and manufacturing plants in the vicinity, make it a town at the present writing, of considerable notoriety. Dis- tance from Washington 94 miles, Harpers Ferry about 45 miles, and 41 miles N. W. from Win- chester.
Lexington and Moorefield were established in October, 1777. These towns do not properly be- long to the section treated in this chapter, and are only mentioned for the reasons following: The Act establishing Lexington, contains a speci- fication so peculiar, that we think well to men- tion, since the town has become so famous as a seat of learning. This extract from the Act, speaks for itself: "And be it further enacted that at the place appointed for holding court in the said county of Rockbridge, there shall be laid off a town, to be called Lexington, thirteen hundred feet in length, and nine hundred in width." Then the Act provides payment to the owners of the land so taken, etc.
Moorfield is mentioned to show who were free- holders on the Upper South Branch, while it was part of Hampshire County. The Act reads : "Whereas it hath been represented to the Genl. Assembly, that the establishing a town on the lands of Conrad Moore, in the County of Hamp- shire, would be of great advantage, &c. * * * Be it therefore enacted &c. That sixty-two acres of land belonging to the said Conrad Moore, in the most convenient place for a town be and the same is granted to Garret Vanmeter, Abel Ran- dall, Moses Hutton, Jacob Read, Jonathan Heath, Daniel McNeill and George, freeholders, Trus- tees, to be by * * * laid out into lots &c. Which shall be and the same is established a Town, by the name of Moorefield, etc."
Martinsburg, the prosperous city of the present day, has a history so varied with important events, that a brief sketch of her rise and progress can- not do her justice; and the author deems it best under the circumstances, to confine himself to a few simple facts. Her history has been attrac- tively written by historians well equipped with traditions, and recorded facts. To such we re- fer the reader. We gather from copious notes now before the writer, that a nameless village was in existence there, while that section was
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