Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 78

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607

USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 78

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

the County. Mr. Baker was an artist of con- siderable reputation, and many valued specimens of his brush are distributed among his friends. The writer has a portrait of his brother which Mr. Baker painted as a token of his friendship. Mr. B. was one of those happy and jolly men that made him exceedingly popular in his large circle of friends, though compelled to appear on his crutches. His widow, now advanced in years, carries their weight with seeming ease.

The Zane Family

It seems appropriate to mention this family, as brief notices are given the families living along Cedar Creek and the North Mountain during the 18th Century. But we cannot claim the family for these sections exclusively; for we find Isaac Zane in Winchester at one time, dispensing lavish hospitality. He owned several desirable properties, and, as shown elsewhere, was a substantial friend of the old Winchester Academy in its early history. At one time he lived in Stephensburg. He had temporary resi- dence at his Marlboro Iron Works, and spent some time with his friend Maj. Mordecai Bean, while engaged in testing the ores of the North Mountain in a smelter which they started on Bean's large tract. There is some confusion about this name. Some writers fix Isaac Zane's first appearance as one of the first pioneers, and also as Genl. Isaac Zane of the Revolution- ary War period; and Col. Isaac Zane one of the Burgesses, 1773; and member of the Vir- ginia Convention, 1775; and member of the first House of Delegates, 1784. The father and son were confounded. Isaac Zane Senior came first. It was in 1767 that he purchased 350 acres of land along the North Mountain from Henry Secrist, adjoining Michael White and Jacob Cack- ley. He was then a resident of Philadelphia; and it is doubtful if he ever lived in Virginia. Isaac Zane, Jr., obtained from Lewis Stephens in 1771, a large tract of land on Cedar Creek. The language of the deed points to two facts worth notice: "To Isaac Zane Junr. Iron Master, for land on Cedar Creek, includes the land where the Dutch Chapel stands and adjoins John Stick- ley, Craybill and Henry Piper." This was the tract where he conducted his iron works, and other business. In 1776 he acquired more land near Stephensburg, where he had resided. Part of this tract he sold to Joseph Holmes a mer- chant in the same village. Subsequent to this period, we find him living near his Marlboro Iron Works, and taking an active part in poli-

437

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

tics, as shown elsewhere. While a member of the house of Burgesses, he was commissioned Colonel in the Virginia Line. In the new or- ganization, after the Revolutionary War, he was commissioned Brigadier-General of Militia, and was not a Brigadier during the war. He died in his Frederick home in 1795, possessed of great wealth for that period, owning large landed es- state (9,000 acres), some of which consisted of many lots lying on South Washington and Stew- art Streets, Winchester. He also owned the land where the old Winchester Academy stood. His will, recorded in the old District Court, men- tions two sisters, Hannah Pemberton and Sarah Zane, to whom he left the bulk of his estate in Frederick County, with annuity to Isaac Zane McFarlane. He further provided for the grad- ual emancipation of his twenty-one slaves. The inventory of his personal estate shows he was a merchant, distiller, miller and founder. He was doubtless an educated man. His library contained many rare volumes. These and his valuable furniture naturally found places in many homes after the sale of his effects, which re- quired several days. We cannot follow his name further. The family were prominent in reclaim- ing the country from the Indians, as already shown in this volume. He was granted several thousand acres of land along the Ohio and Mo- nongahela Rivers, which was inherited by his family. One branch of this family were pioneers of the South Branch Valley. During the In- dian Wars, Wm. Zane and his family were car- ried away as prisoners by the Indians in 1753. One of his sons has been previously mentioned in connection with Ohio settlements.

Genl. Zane lived in his stone mansion-as he termed it in his letters. This was near his iron works and mill, and a short distance North of the site of the present mill of D. S. Brill. . Near by was his large warehouse or store, the walls of which were of heavy stone. The ruins of these buildings were to be seen until about 1890. The ruins of the old iron works can be seen at this writing.

The Bean Family

This name has been frequently mentioned in this volume. Mordecai Bean, who appeared in Frederick County with Isaac Zane, Sr., about 1767-8, had applied for a patent for ungranted lands lying along the North Mountains; but his claim was held up by caveat filed by Lord Fairfax who, by a compromise, executed a lease to Bean in 1777 for land on Paddy Mountain, being mineral land. This lease was recorded in the Proprietor's Office, Book No. 2, page 201 (Land Office, Richmond, Va.). In 1779, Morde- cai Bean purchased a tract of "300 acres from

Evan Thomas, being part of the Ellis Thomas grant at the head of Hogg Creek." This, then, was the seating of a family that for nearly a century held large sway in that section. He was interested in several of the Zane projects for making iron from the rich ores found on his land. Of the many shipments of foundry pro- duced by Zane, mention is made that the iron was produced at "Bean's Smelter." This after- wards became known as the Taylor Furnace.

The family is of English origin. The name has been found in Pennsylvania, Maryland, N. Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and several West- ern States. In recent years, one of the name died in Texas, after having amassed a large for- tune which has been partly distributed, the Bean family of Washington, D. C., having received their portion. This once numerous family has but one household that bears the name in Fred- erick County-that of Joseph F. Bean and his family. Many descendants, however, by inter- marriage, are well-known citizens of the County. Mordecai Bean married Judith Hammond, daugh- ter of an old settler along Cedar Creek, and one of the pioneer names, that disappeared from that section long since. She was the mother of James and Isaac, Betsy Frye, Margaret Rich- ards and Sally Cartmell, all of whom are men- tioned in Major Bean's will, probated in 1814. He left a large estate of land, slaves, etc.

His son Isaac removed to Kentucky, and there raised a large family, which has representatives in prominent affairs of that and other States. His other son was Major James Bean, who mar- ried Judith Frye. She was the mother of Mor- decai, Nathan, James, Eliza and Rebecca. Na- than made his home in Ohio. James married Miss Fawcett, dau. of Joseph. They lived and died in the brick house at Taylor Furnace, now the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. Harvey Wil- liams. Mordecai, brother of James, became one of the largest land owners in the county. He was a noted litigant at every term of court. He was an ardent Union man at the outbreak of the Civil War. He committed some overt act; and was so pronounced in his enmity to the Confederate government, that he was arrested and carried to some Southern prison, where he died. He was offered his freedom, to return to his home when the Lower Valley was abandoned by the Confederates; but the stiff-necked old man refused all offers. Some of his descend- ants are to be found, but none that bear his name. His sister Eliza married Jonathan Jen- kins; and was the mother of the James Jenkins who sold his fine property, now owned by Isaac H. Faulkner and M. H. Rosenberger, and re- moved to Nebraska about 1890.

Rebecca married Samuel Hodgson, who lived

438

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

near the Round Hill. She was the mother of a large family: Abner W. Hodgson (father of James B. Hodson, so well known to Winches- ter for the past twenty years as a contractor), John Robert who married Miss Shearer, Henry Clay, Ann Eliza. These last two moved to Mis- souri. Clay is one of the prosperous men of that country. Mrs. Florence Willis lives in Win- chester. Her sister Mary and her aged mother live with her. Their mother has attained the age of 96 years, with good health and memory. She is doubtless the oldest person in Win- chester.

The Pifer Family

This family, represented by two brothers, Maj. Elijah and 'Squire John W. Pifer, who were identified with the affairs of that seciton of Fred- erick County mentioned above, from about 1830,- was an old family found on Cedar Creek near the Marlboro Iron Works, as one of the pio- neers. The name was German, and when signed by Henry, the emigrant in German, was so tortured in its translation by others, as to be hard to connect it with the present pronuncia- tion, being often written Peoffer, Pepher, Piper.

The two brothers were sons of John W. Pifer, who owned a large estate about the vicinity of Capon Roads. Part of this old homestead is owned by his descendants. Elijah Pifer lived out a long and useful life. He was often chosen for trusted positions. His sons and daughters survived him. One was Capt. A. P. Pifer, Co. A., 39th Batt., mentioned elsewhere as serving at Genl. Lee's Headquarters. Capt. Pifer sur- vived the war; spent many years in North Car- olina, in educational work, but died in Norfolk, 1907. His brother, G. Wash. Pifer, lives at Gravel Springs, where he has reared a large family. Silas B., Elijah, one daughter, Kate, who married Rev. Mr. Shenk, now of Newport News. Bettie married Dr. Cover; one married Luther Brill, the owner of the mill at that point. One daughter remains single. Their mother, Margaret Honaker, can trace her line to the old Revolutionary Honaker soldier mentioned elsewhere.

John W. Pifer married three times. His first wife, Mary Rudolph, was the mother of Ran- dolph, Harriet and Ella. Randolph is known as Capt. Ran Pifer; who saw service as a Confederate soldier; was county treasurer, far- mer, school teacher, and held other offices. Har- riet married Josiah Rinker, mother of A. R. Rinker and sisters. Capt. Ran. P. lives on his farm near Stephens City. He has a large family. His father married Margaret Ritenour in 1847. She was the mother of Cyrus, Laura, Stanley and Clarence. His third wife was Miss Langley,

of Winchester, 1880. 'Squire Pifer, as he was called, was born 1809.

Capt. Jacob Pifer who died at Capon Roads many years ago, was a brother. One of his daughters is Mrs. John W. Rice, of Winches- ter. She has one son, Warren Rice, a lawyer. In other sections of the County, the name ap- pears. The bearers are doubtless descendants from Henry the pioneer, who has been asso- ciated by tradition with the Hite emigration; but of this there is no record evidence.

Michael White, mentioned in the foregoing, belonged to an English and Scotch emigration that tried the tomahawk title plan to secure land, in 1735. Surveys lapped over such claims; and the squatter generally lost his claim. The White family still has its representatives in that sec- tion. Anderton L. White and his family, Ben- jamin F. White, and one other branch in that section, and James W. White of Opecquon, and his brother of Maryland, maintain the good rep- utation of this old honest family.

On the Southern end of Little North Moun- tain is a well-known spring that the writer re- members. One branch of the White family living at that place, it bears the name of the old lady, Ginnie White's Spring. Her son Morde- cai lived there. He was a member of the 39th Battalion, Genl. R. E. Lee's body-guard. Sev- eral sons survived him: Thomas W. lives in Winchester.

The Larrick Family of the North Mountain section, have very little trace of their connec- tion with the family in vicinity of Middletown. Henry Larrick was on the ground at an early day. Asa, John Henry and David W. Larrick were well known to the writer. They were upright, honorable men, industrious and suc- cessful farmers, and the owners of comfortable homes. They have left large families, who have been widely scattered by death, marriage and removals. David W. and John Henry's homes are owned by members of their families; while Asa's old homestead passed into the hands of the Hedrick brothers of Washington, D. C. One of Asa's sons was Capt. James W. Larrick of the Militia line, now dead. John Wesley, another son, mentioned elsewhere, has reared a large family at Old Retirement, viz : Maude M., Hugh, Howard, Richard, John, Jonah, Ada, Carl, Mar- garet and Meryilles. One sister, Nancy, is Mrs. Jacob Crisman, of Kernstown. She is the mother of a large family. Mrs. Emma Pifer, Asa P., Asa R., Geo. O., Mrs. Ollie Smith, Mrs. Bertha Hockman, Jacob L., Fred A., Minnie and Etha. Their father, Jacob Crisman, was a pri- vate in Co. C., 12th Va. Cavly., he claims credit

439

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

for capture of Percy Wyndham, an Englishman in command of a Union regiment.

The Kercheval Family

The first appearance of this family as one of the pioneers of the County, near Wheeling, was prior to the Revolutionary War. John Kerche- val settled on Buffalo Creek, about twenty miles above its junction with the Ohio River. There quite a number of families took possession of tracts of land under the supposed Tomahawk right, in 1773, just in time to suffer from the Dunmore War, started the next Spring. The settlers erected cabins and forts. The section was adapted to easy cultivation; and several fam- ilies crossed the high mountains to the East every Spring, and raised crops of corn and potatoes on land where there was less timber and more sunshine. In the Fall they would re- turn and spend the Winter in their Cabins and near their forts. John Kercheval's was one of these families. When the Indian outbreak oc- curred in 1774, the families deserted the first settlement, to find better security at Morris's Fort in Sandy Creek Glade. We find this family at Dodridge's Fort also, during the historic siege. Samuel Kercheval, the Valley historian, says he was about fourteen years old at the time and "ranked as a fort soldier." John Kercheval and his family in 1782 drifted slowly through the mountains, and took up their abode on the Opec- quon, a few miles from Berryville; and in 1784 purchased the farm where he died in 1788, leav- ing a large family and his wife Winifred, the step-mother of his four oldest children. He devised his plantation to the following ten children : Sukey, John, Peggy, Samuel, Winney, Lydia, Sally, Frances, Betsy and James. He willed four negroes to his widow. His sons John and Sam- uel were his executors. Thomas Barry, J. Mil- ton and Wm. Kercheval his grandson, witnessed the will. John lived in Winchester and purchased two tracts of land in 1791 on Abrams Creek. Samuel purchased a tract of land in 1790 from Lewis Stephens, located on Buffalo Marsh. Part of this he sold in 1792 to Lee. He then es- tablished a home a few miles N. West, ad- joining lands of Elisha Fawcett and others. There he lived out the remainder of his days. During the latter part of his life, he traveled exten- sively through the Shenandoah Valley, gather- ing material facts and incidents, which he wove into what has been known as "Kercheval's His- tory of the Valley of Virginia," which he pub- lished in 1833. Although three editions of this quaint, peculiar and valuable history have been published, the book is rarely seen, and is highly prized by those who are fortunate enough to have preserved a copy.

The Wigginton Family

This name appeared West of the Blue Ridge at the dawn of the 19th Century, coming from the pioneer family of Old Orange. Though not strictly speaking a pioneer of the Valley, James Wigginton, who was for a half century so closely identified with Frederick County families, the writer feels it is a duty we owe the memory of this man, to have him mentioned in connec- tion with the early settlers of the section between the Little and Big North Mountains. Mr. Wig- ginton was one of the old time school masters. Scarcely a community in the Southwest section of Frederick County can be found, where he did not appear as teacher of those who learned good lessons. His territory extended from the Round Hill neighborhood to Cedar Creek. He married a daughter of the historic Whetzel fam- ily. She was Christina, daughter of John and Barbara Whetzel; married Feby. 18, 1818. Their children were: Sarah, James Bean, Harriet, Mary A., Andrew J., Jane, Joseph H., and George W. Sarah married Elijah Williams, and was the mother of a large family. Bean started a tan- yard that became the Star Tannery under Thomas Cover. Mary A. married (first) Isaac Tevalt; 2nd husband is the venerable John McIntire, al- ready mentioned. Andrew J. married Mary E. Morrison. Jane married (first) Martin Whetzel who died in the Confederate service. She then married Martin Hodgson who started the first store at Opecquon. Joseph H. married Miss Dispanet a descendant of the pioneer mentioned elsewhere. Their children were: A. J. Wig- ginton, one of the constables of the county at this writing, J. R., Laura C., Geo. A., Francis M., Lillian B., Newton J., and J. Ed .- one son being the well-known nurseryman and orchardist near the Round Hill Presb. Church. George W. son of James married and went West.

James had one brother William, and two sis- ters Mary and Lucy. One of William's sons was Isaac W. Wigginton who was at one time owner of the old Fizer tavern property. His brother Harrison lives in Winchester. One son James spent his life in Kansas.

Mary spent nearly forty years of her life in the family of the writer's father. She was familiarly called Aunt Polly by the young mem- bers of several families, who were benefited by her care and benign influence. Her sister Lucy married Jacob Good, a miller. She was the mother of Mary, Catherine and Joshua Good.

Jacob Whetzel, brother of Mrs. James Wig- ginton, was a man of intelligence and integrity. Two of his sons live in the Northern section of the county: James W., who has been men- tioned as the husband of Miss Cather. The Whetzel family can trace their line back to the

440

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

famous John and Lewis Whetzel, the Indian fighters.

The Whissen Family

John Whissen, who died in 1907, about 90 years old, belonged to the family of this name who first appeared in Frederick County during the Revolutionary War. His home was in the neighborhood of the families last mentioned. He was widely known in the county as a man of exemplary habits. He married late in life, Miss Copp of Shenandoah County, and was the father of one son and several daughters. One daughter married Amos E. Marker; another is Mrs. Scott Sherman in the Round Hill neighborhood. Both have promising families. One daughter Ada is the wife of Ashby Graves, of near Relief P. O. This name has been subjected to much criti- cism for its various ways of pronunciation. The first time the name appears is in a deed signed by John Wessant and wife, 1785. She was the widow of Henry Lockmiller, and derived title to the land from her first husband. We find in 1779, Jos. Wessant's estate was settled. In 1809, John signs by his mark, Whissen-name written by the clerk of the court. In 1828 the name is signed John Whissent; in 1837 signed Wthissen, and as such attaches to the family wherever it appears in the Valley of Virginia.

There are so many descendants of the pio- neers who settled along the southern drains of Hogue Creek, so well known to the author, that he finds it difficult to pass them by. The old families left interesting traditionary history that may be used in independent sketches.

With English and Scotch-Irish emigrants who settled on the upper drains of Hogue Creek, was William Hall., who secured a grant for 2,236 acres ; and proceeded to locate several families; but was hindered by Lord Fairfax, who finally com- promised and executed release deed, 1764. The old pioneer died in 1768 and was succeeded by his son William. He and his brothers James, Thomas and Bennett established homes at var- ious points in the great survey. With Hall was a Scotch-Irishman who wrote his name as David Mulelcuro; by others written Mucklewee. This was the pioneer of the Mellwee family, which has held sway in that section for about one hundred years. For it was in 1808 the name of this family was first written Mellwee. David, the pioneer, and his two sons, William and Dan- iel, were with Capt. William Hall in his raid on a band of marauding Indians, 1788.

Col. James B. Hall owned the property where the Wotring families now live. The Halls have all disappeared save Jno. W. a grandson of Col. Hall. In this section we find at this writing A. J. McIlwee and family, mentioned elsewhere;

James T. McIlwee and his family, whose father was William, who died in 1895, an aged man. His father was David who died in 1806. There were a David and John who purchased land from Jacob Turner and others 1847-55. James T. who has been mentioned as one of the supervisors of the county, served several terms as Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Roads, etc. He married a daughter of Wm. P. Gardner, one of the most famous mill-wrights of his day. One of his sons, Dr. Silas Gardner of Capon Bridge, was a member of the General Assembly of West Virginia. The children of James T. McIlwee are : Wm. F., Charles A., Minnie, Bertha, Mary, Danl. W., Edna, Eva, Branson.

The Wotring Family

Strictly speaking, this is a Western Virginia family. They were pioneers in that part of the old Colony when it was known as Frederick County. In 1850 Daniel E. Wotring made his first entry into the great Valley. He came as Superintendent of repairs to the Northwestern Turnpike. In 1857 he married Nancy V. daugh- ter of Col. James B. Hall. He soon acquired the fine homestead he now occupies. Being a public-spirited man, he soon became identified with the best interests of the County. When the Civil War opened he was Major of Militia. He served two years in the 51st Virginia Regi- ment; was taken prisoner in 1863, and confined in Camp Chase and Fort Delaware for six months. Since the War he has held important positions of trust. His long life of 78 years has been well spent. Though feeble from ill health and age, he takes a lively interest in politics. He is a Democrat. His children are: James A., Robert L., Daniel E., Cora P., Inez and Blanche. James A. lives in Hampshire County on his attractive mountain farm, highly esteemed by his many friends. Robert L. lives in Morgantown, W. Va. He was at one time deputy county treasurer for his uncle Lt. John H. Wotring, who married Martha daughter of Col. Hall. Lt. Wotring was a gallant member of the 33rd Va. Infantry; he lost his arm at the 2nd Battle of Manassas. He was county treasurer from 1883 until his death in 1888. His children were: Min- nie L., Thos J., Lillian R., Edmund P. D., Fel- ton H., and Mary A. The Wotring family has the distinction of having furnished five brothers for the Confederate service: Joshua B. was 2nd Lieut. in the 33rd Va. Infty .; he died in 1863 from wounds received in the 2nd Battle of Man- assas. Benjamin was a member of Capt. McNeill's Cavalry.

The Rosenberger and Clowser Families These were old families belonging to the early

442

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

apple trees by his brother John. In 1838, a George Muse of Caroline County appears in court and executed a mortgage on 31,304 acres partly on the Great Kanawha, and the Shenandoah Rivers, for 1,800 pounds sterling, due Rev. Chas. Mynn Thruston. This may have been Col. Geo. Muse.

The Dunlaps that figured as old war veterans, sent their sons to the help of Virginia at the out- break of the Civil War. The writer would like to mention a few incidents relating to the older set, and on down to the old men he knew : Archibald, John and William; but he must pass them by at present. William was famed as a Democratic leader in his day. He died at his mill property near Rock Enon Springs, leaving a large family. Capt. Henry Herrell married one of his daughters. His son Turner A. lives near the old place. Sons of the brothers that lived on Timber Ridge are Jerry, of Winchester, Joel, in the old section. They and their married sis- ters are likely to maintain a good line of de- scendants.

The old Capper Family has none of the name in the old section that can tell of the struggles of their Colonial ancestors. Meredith Capper who was a long-time resident of Winchester, sur- vived now by his family, was once a merchant and farmer in the old neighborhood. Several of his sons are prominent business men of Winchester. Two are connected with the two railroad offices ; M. Lohr being the well-known implement dealer.

Of the old Giffin Family, that have descendants, whom the writer knew prior to the Civil War, he might name Bartholomew, James and John. Several of this name have been mentioned in connection with old wars. The name was also familiar in the Confederate service. Many of the residents of Timber Ridge remember John Giffin the constable and auctioneer of Western Frederick. He erected the house now the prop- erty of Edgar L. Hook. The latter established the mill on that place.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 78

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920 Publication date: 1909 Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.] Number of Pages: 607

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607