Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 79

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 79

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The Good Family represented in the early days by Felix, already mentioned, with James W., Jacob and brothers, with their large families, are still numerous in Back Creek Valley. The sons are largely engaged in the lumber trade, etc. F. D. Good, Jacob and other sons of the old stock are prominent men.

The Householders and Herrells belong to fam- ilies who came from Loudoun County during the 19th Century.

The Scrivener Family were old pioneers. They

intermarried with many of the best families of that section. Edwin H. Scrivener, the constable, was an important resident of the community.

The Lockharts of Timber Ridge and Upper Back Creek, are the children and descendants of Josiah Lockhart by his second wife. They have been identified with that section in many ways. Beverly N., mentioned as one of the Supervisors of the county, was a Justice of the Peace for many years, and highly regarded for his integ- rity. One of his sons James W. is constable, and other children live in that section. Algernon, of Back Creek Dist., and James of Kansas, are brothers of 'Squire Beverly Lockhart.

The Parish Family belongs to the early days. The name is well represented at this writing by three brothers, Jno. W., Charles W. and George W. Parish, sons of Daniel Parish, the prosperous country store-keeper of Timber Ridge for about thirty years subsequent to the Civil War. He amassed considerable property. John W. has been mentioned as one of the County Super- visors. He lives at Gore; has a handsome home, and recently built the commodious store building he now occupies. Chas. W. has been registrar of Gore precinct for several years. Geo. W. lives on the N. W. Turnpike to the West, where he has a country store and good residence.

Up on Timber Ridge we find C. N. Garvin, the successful merchant and general business man, to represent the old stock who first settled in that part of old Frederick County, now Hamp- shire. This family living along the Hampshire line, has been claimed by both counties. The old Anderson tavern, mentioned elsewhere as Num- ber Six Voting Precinct, marks a place where the family lived prior to the Civil War. The old stock, Paul, Michael, James and Jacob were de- scendants of pioneers, who have been mentioned as old war soldiers.

The Morrisons belong properly to the Morri- sons who lived along the Eastern base of the Little North Mountain. Thomas E. Morrison who lives several miles South of Gore on Tim- ber Ridge, has been mentioned as one of the County Supervisors. His father James Mor- rison, moved to that section prior to the Civil war. Thomas married a daughter of Joseph Smoke. Lemuel C. Johnston and brother, high up on the Ridge, represent the old stock. "Lem" was one of the young men who joined the Con- federate forces when the first call was made.

We must for the present leave Timber Ridge. Passing by Gore, we feel justified in taking a

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moment to interview one of the residents who first appeared there subsequent to the Civil War. This is Joseph Potts, a Union veteran, who has spent nearly forty years among the people of that section, and claims that he has no known enemy. He was the wagon-maker of the section until recently; is now postmaster, and retired from active business. Mr. Potts has the dis- tinction of being the only Republican voter who voted against Samuel J. Tilden. Since then, he has gained some strength for his party. He has a large family. His sons are in business in Winchester and Washington.

Along the Turnpike to Winchester, we pass through Petticoat Gap, where on either side of the road lived several families that belong to the Colonial period. Leonard McFarlane and Benjamin Cubbage the writer remembers as queer characters. The former was a very old man in 1850; and often displayed a musket and war trappings that he claimed were used by him at the Battle of the "Cowpens." This was treated as a joke; but since then, the name has been found in lists of old soldiers.

Benjamin Cubbage was designated as the water witch, using a certain branch from a peach tree, he claimed he could find water for the many wells he and others dug in the early days. The old man is still remembered for his ability to work out any example in arithmetic, without pen- cil or pen, he not being able to write.

Ephraim Hawkins, so well remembered for his integrity, spent the last fifty years of his life in this section, that was uncongenial to his tastes and habits. He could tell a sad story about a business man of Winchester, who had swindled him out of his property when he was a pros- perous resident there prior to 1840. The old man and his sons for many years conducted a wagon-maker's shop and saw-mill on the road- side, about a half-mile West from the Wardens- ville Grade. All now have disappeared; nothing but the site where the buildings once stood is left. But one son is left. This is John Hawkins, an old man, whose son can be seen as the mail carrier from the B. & O. station to the city postoffice. The other sons of Ephraim: George, Charles, Owen and Joseph, were highly esteemed. Their children are scattered. George has a son Joseph living in Gainsboro District, who main- tains the good reputation of this family.

The Cochran Families-Elijah on the South and William on the North side of the Turnpike, belong to the pioneers. James W., Amos, John H. and sisters, children of Elijah; and Henry,

John and sisters, children of William, are well- known in the county.

On the North side of the Turnpike, not far from the old Hawkins shops, were three fam- lies of the pioneer period. Two of these when mentioned, will sound strange to most readers, because they have been extinct in this region for many years. The ProBasco and Sidebottom families were well represented in the old wars. Lt. Sidebottom and two brothers gained honors that many persons of this day have no claim to. The Pro-Basco, or as it was often written Basco family, disappeared about 1850. Previous to this, one of the family, Rhyan ProBasco, set- tled on the Ohio, and grew up with Cincinnati, and through his family the city enjoys the most unique water fountain to be found, called the ProBasco Memorial. The writer's curiosity led him to trace the lineage to the old family in Pet- ticoat Gap. The Harper family living hard by, intermarried with the ProBascos. This family was noted for several huge men. They were Levi, Elijah, Robert, Hiett and several others. They were sons of old pioneer families. Hiett was noted for his great strength. He left a large family : John R., Benjamin, William and Franklin Harper, and several daughters. Franklin is the father of John W. Harper. William was a mer- chant in Winchester, corner of Water and Brad- dock Streets. His family removed to Washing- ton, D. C., several years after his death.

George Johnston and Samuel Carter were pio- neers in that section bordering the Chambers Mountain and Round Hill. The name has be- come extinct in Frederick County, as relates to these two settlers. The William Johnson family found near head of Opecquon, had its origin on the site of the old Bayliss Tavern. As we approach the East side of Round Hill, the homes of the Hodgson family were found about 1800. The writer knew the old men Robert and Abner Hodgson. The latter married in the Johnson family. He was an old man in 1844; was the father of Elizabeth wife of Nathaniel Lupton; Samuel, and Mary Ann wife of Joshua Lupton, Marinda wife of Thomas Morrison. Samuel married Miss Bean, as stated elsewhere. Robert Hodgson who lived where Elijah Hodgson's Heirs still own the remnant of his tract, was the father of Robert, Elijah, Rev. William, John and Abner Hodgson; and the wife of John Milhorn. Robert, Jr., lived at the old Paxton farm; mar- ried Sally Renner. She was the mother of Re- becca J., second wife of Jonathan Jenkins; Isaac who has a family in a Western State; Laban F., H. Martin; two daughters, one Virginia, wife of Marion Cooper; and Scottie who has a family

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in West Virginia. Elijah, father of Robert, the father of Charles and brother who own the old property. Rev. William Hodgson spent his use- ful life under the shadows of the Round Hill. His wife, still living, is the mother of Mrs. Martha A. Yeakley, Mrs. Elizabeth Fling, and Dr. Watson Hodgson of Cumberland. John was a brick-mason; he lived in Winchester, the father of Luther Hodgson and other children. Abner married the daughter of N. C. Lupton-no chil- dren. His second wife was Miss Crum, sister of John and Charles Crum, of Winchester, sons of Henry Crum. One daughter by second marriage became the wife of Mason Robinson who moved to Missouri. Abner lived where the Scott Sher- man family now live. The old house was brick, and was destroyed by fire several years ago. The present brick house stands on the old site. The Robert, Sr., mentioned, ended his days in the home of his son Abner.

The first Hodgson to appear in the neighbor- hood mentioned was John. This was prior to 1800. In 1762, a Robert Hodgson obtained land from Hiland, "Adjoining lands of Hogue on drains of Opeckon." In 1780, Robert Hodgson and Jacob Lindsey held joint interest in a large tract on Long Marsh; conveyed part thereof to Edward Clare. Some enterprising members of this generation may be able to trace the rela- tionship, and supply links between these families.

The Ball Family

The first appearance of this family in the old county was in 1772, when Jasper Ball came from Loudoun County, and purchased a tract of 86 acres. The following year he purchased an ad- joining tract on Morgan's Marsh. He doubtless was the father of William Ball who died in 1796, who by his will disposed of his estate be- tween his children, viz: Wm. Payne, Thomas Kemp, Judith Throckmorton, Betsey, Henry and Nancy Ball. The latter was the wife of Mar- tin Cartmell, of Homespun, 1808. Judith T. was the wife of Genl. Singleton, 1797. Betsey married Geo. Smith, 1790. Other marriages ap- pear, evidently of same family, and are men- tioned for the benefit of some descendants : Sally Ball married Samuel Connor, 1789; Wm. Ball married Drucilla Singleton, 1790. Phebe Ball married Wm. Morgan, 1795; Frances married M. Fauntleroy, 1809; Lavinia Ball married Josiah Massie, whose daughter married Mr. Gamble Baker.

The Massie Family

The first appearance of this family in the Val- ley, was in 1780, when Major Thomas Massie, of New Kent County, Va., came to take posses- sion of a large tract of land of 1,548 acres which he had purchased of Joseph L. Savage, then a

resident of Gloucester County. The Major had seen service in the War then in progress; and it is thought he was here with his regiment, the Fifteenth, when it was organized. He disposed of his 2,080 acre tract before he left New Kent, where he had mills and good plantations. He was the progenitor of the large family that have held to a residence in Frederick for more than a hundred years, some of whom saw service in Virginia regiments in all her wars,-Col. Tom Massie of the 12th Virginia Cavalry being one. The writer knew George Tom Massie and his family, Thomas W. Massie, John Buckner and Robert F. Massie, all of whom are now dead. The first named was a cousin of the three last, who were brothers, and sons of Thomas Duncan Massie and Sidney Ashby, daughter of Lewis Ashby. Thomas D. was a son of Asa Massie ; they were married in 1825. Thomas W. married Jennie Whissen, 1860. One of his sons John B. is a member of the Winchester Police force. One daughter Lucy C. married Wm. R. Hillyard; they have several children. Thomas B. Massie of Relief, son of George T., is a well-known farmer of that section.

The Triplett Family

There seems to be no known connection be- tween the family of this name on Back Creek, and the family at Kernstown. J. R. Triplett and family live in a remodeled Colonial house, originally the home of Adam Kearnes. They belong to the Triplett family of Fauquier County. Jeremiah Triplett came to Kernstown in the early part of the 19th Century; lived in that vicinity, and there reared his family. J. Reuben his son, moved into his present home about 1885. He married Miss Jones, a niece of Edward and Marcus Jones, daughter of Joseph. They have several daughters and one son Irvin. Mr. Trip- lett has filled several important offices in his district. He is a good citizen and a staunch friend.

The Gilkeson Family

This family has been mentioned in connec- tion with Old Opecquon Church. They may be classed with the pioneers of the Lower Valley, though they first appeared about 1765. William seems to have been the first to own land. He leased 220 acres South of Kernstown in 1769. The recital says he was late of Pennsylvania. In 1788, his will was probated in the County Court of Frederick County. He mentions his sons : John, Hugh, William, Samuel, Isaac and Ebenezer, and daughters Susana, Arnol, Martha Galt and Jannett Marshall. The reader is re- ferred to sketch of Opecquon Church graveyard, where he will see the line of John the son men- tioned above, who was the father of Col. John

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who died in 1856, age 76 years. Col. Gilkeson owned the farm where Jos. M. Barton lives. His children were Wm. D., James, Lucy who married Mr. Wood of Staunton; her daughter Janet survives her; John of St. Louis, and probably more. William married Miss Baker who was the mother of William, James, Fran- ces and another son. James, son of Col. John, moved to Missouri when well advanced in years. Isaac and Ebenezer inherited the farm near the head of Opecquon, spoken of elsewhere as the Samuel and Robert Beckett homestead. They sold it to John Gilkeson in 1792. The same property later on passed by sale to Amos Pierce. His son Hugh O. is the present owner. The writer remembers Mr. James Gilkeson, who in- herited through his father John G. the Beckett farm mentioned above; and knew his two sons John Bell and J. Smith Gilkeson. Both were merchants in Winchester. Mr. Bell Gilkeson spent the latter part of his life in Moorefield, West Virginia, and left several daughters who intermarried with families in that section. Mr. Smith Gilkeson married Miss Cabell; left two children, one Mrs. A. M. Baker of Winchester, and Henry Gilkeson who lives in a Western State. Mr. Robert B. Gilkeson, for many years a prominent merchant of Romney, was a brother of John Bell and J. Smith. His family is rep- resented by well-known sons, Henry B. Gilke- son, the lawyer of Romney, and Edward, of Moorefield.

The Mckays, Meades, Earles, Hamiltons, Ash- bys, Greens, Duffs, and many more of this class, were the pioneers who settled in that section of Frederick County, now Clarke and Warren Coun- ties, at the birth of the old County, several com- ing into their sections while it was yet part of Spottsylvania, then Orange, some of whom have received notice elsewhere. They were known for many years as the English immigrants. This is misleading; for though they shipped from the English coast, the emigrant ships carried fam- ilies of every nationality. We find in those lists, Germans such as Sowers and Nisewander-the pioneer of the one being Jacob Sowers who is found on land in 1737, where Winchester vil- lage arose. One of the descendants has been mentioned in connection with Federal Hill. The Mckays of Warren, now reduced to two small families-all that are left of the once numerous family. Some of the name drifted to other States; some intermarried with many Warren and Clarke families. We need say nothing of the Meade family. They can refer to Bishop Meade's Sketches of Old Churches and Families, and there find tracings of their many lines. The

name has always been identified with the Clarke County section.

The Earle Family had its origin in England. The first to come to the Shenandoah Valley was Alex. A. Earle, who was in the Indian Wars. Then came Esaius Earle, who seems to be the direct ancestor, the grandfather of John B. Earle, the father of Capt. A. M. Earle, so well known to generations from 1850 until his death a few years ago. Jno. B. Earle left a large family, besides Capt. A. M. There were Archibald and Bayliss. Two daughters married respectively Hiram Evans and John Burns. Capt. Earle born in 1819, was one of the old Justices from 1851 for many years. He was a member of the Legis- lature when the Civil War opened; enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was Quartermaster of the Twelfth Va. Cavalry. At the close of the war he married a cousin, Miss Burns, of Missouri, 1867: Children of this union were John B., Alexander M., Paul B., Virginia M., and Elizabeth K. In 1881 he was State Senator from the Clarke and Warren District. His home- stead was called Mount Zion, a colonial home once owned by Col. Chas. Mynn Thruston, who was so distinguished for his remarkable life as a Minister of the Gospel and a Revolutionary War officer. Col. Thruston left many descend- ants through the lines of his twelve children. His first wife was a Miss Buckner; second wife, Miss Alexander. The children intermarried with many distinguished families such George Rogers Clark, Norton, Dangerfield, Huston, etc. Sidney married Alfred Powell the Winchester lawyer. One married Edmond Taylor, of Louis- ville, Ky. One daughter became the wife of Frederick Conrad, uncle of the late Robert Y. Conrad, of Winchester. Another daughter, Mary B., was the wife of Col. Charles MaGill whose children intermarried with the prominent fam- ilies of this and other sections. The writer hopes to mention several of Col. Thruston's lines of descent. They are found in many States.

Col. Thruston has been mentioned in connec- tion with the Old Courts during the Colonial Period, as one of the Presiding Justices. In 1809, he removed to Louisiana, and died there in 1812, and was buried on his own plantation, where the Battle of New Orleans was fought in 1815 by Genl. Andrew Jackson.

The Hamiltons and Ashbys have special his- tory; but brief notices already given them must suffice. When we contemplate the numerous set- tlements made by the pioneers along the Shen- andoah and Opecquon, we are amazed at their gigantic success; but we must not forget that many other pioneers were following the North

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and South forks of the Shenandoah in the Val- leys to the East and West of the Massanutten range. Near the site of Woodstock, long before the Muellerstadt village was started, the English, Scotch and Irish had founded their homes, and have maintained a foothold through all the pass- ing generations. We can barely mention a few : Benjamin Allen, Reily Moore, Wm. White, Jno. Branson, Levi Fawcett, Briscoe, Calvert, Craw- ford, Newman, Walker and Sibert were on the ground about 1734-36; while in the Massanut- ten we find an Englishman, Powell, who held ad- verse possession of a large mountain tract, which he and his two sons gave the name of "Fort Mountain." Many traditions attach to this man and his natural fort. Some claim that he was there when that section was discovered, and de- clined to give any account of his arrival or antecedents. We have nothing to verify this. Some evidence can be produced that the pioneers on the North Fork disputed all claims which the German pioneers presented for settlement, and they were thus hindered for some time. Many passed further South, and peopled the rich sec- tions of what became Rockingham County.

For the settlement of the Upper Valley, we have reliable data prepared by two gifted sons of Augusta. (See Waddel's "Annals of Augusta," and "The History of Augusta County" by Col. J. Lewis Peyton,) the latter a descendant of the founder of Augusta. John Lewis, who settled on a grant in the Western Part of Orange County prior to 1735, was the father of Samuel, Thomas, Andrew, William and Charles B. Lewis. These sons won immortal fame as citizens and sol- diers. Several of them have been mentioned by the author in connection with the early history of the Valley. The Madison family was among Augusta's pioneers. John Madison was clerk of the first court, held Dec. 9, 1745. This first court, tradition says, was held at his home near the site of Port Republic. The old homestead and what has been regarded as the old clerk's office, was pointed out to the writer recently in good condition. The oldest inhabitants of that section have faith in the story. In this old house Bishop Madison was born August 27, 1749. This indicated that this place was probably the county seat until the court house was built in Staunton at some date subsequent to 1748.

So also the Givens, Campbells, McClenahans, Stuarts, Robertsons, McDowells, Bells, Craigs, Pattons, and several others are strictly pioneers ; while the Peytons, Breckenridges, Prestons and others follow later.

John Patton was the first sheriff of Augusta.

We find our Gabriel Jones on hand as one of the attorneys, together with Wm. Russell, James Porter, John Quinn, Thomas Chew who qual- ified to practice law, and aid the new court to set the ball of justice rolling. John and Thomas Lewis were two of the Justices. The Lewis fam- ily has representatives on part of the original Lewis tracts near Port Republic. While in the Upper Valley, taking a hasty glance over the historic places of interest, where the old English and Scotch-Irish pioneers had laid the founda- tion, amid difficulties akin to what Frederick County experienced,-the writer was tempted into this digression. The undulating landscapes, adorned with homes, are full worthy of their reputation for thrift, hospitality and elegance. The refined and sturdy population must have im- bibed many of their distinguished traits in drink- ing deeply from the gushing springs and rivu- lets that form the North and South forks of the Shenandoah. As we follow the flow of the South Fork, it finds its way through mountain and Valley, passing Weyer's Cave ("Grottoes"), forming new strength at Port Republic, we reach the Southern verge of Luray Valley, where the German element has always predominated. In this Valley between Port Republic and Luray, we find the Adam Miller family, and others men- tioned in the Joist Hite Sketch. The writer visited the splendid property of Miss Lizzie Mil- ler, a lineal descendant of Adam Mueller, Hite's rival. She owns a large body of land em- braced in the original survey. Her old Colonial house is in full view of the site where the pio- neer built the first house in 1729, remnants of which remain, and the site is owned by Miss Miller. This property is near the river, on the East side, and slightly North of the mouth of Swift Run Gap, through which reliable traditions claim the German emigrants came on their way from the Germana Iron Works after their rup- ture with Alexander Spottswood. The family possesses much unwritten history pertaining to the settlement. They were beyond doubt the pio- neers of that section, and the first white people who had actual residence West of the Blue Ridge. This section is now traversed by the Norfolk and Western, or Shenandoah Valley, Railroad. The thriving village of Elkton is the trading station, near which is located the celebrated Elkton Hotel, near Elk Run mentioned in the original survey. Here is found the Elk Lythia Springs famed for their medicinal properties. The hotel, conducted by A. C. Drawbaugh and his accom- plished wife, entertains a large number of guests every Summer; the writer being one who there found recreation and comfort, and where he has prepared much matter for this volume.

Following the flow of this South River, we pass

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Luray and the caverns near by. In this section we find the Ruffner family had its origin. The Linebergers, Jordans, Maucks, the Bare family (Bear) near Elkton and the Snapps, Jarvis and others were pioneers. Much could be said of them; but we lack space, not the inclination. The student of the early history of this beauti- fully valley lying East of the Massanutting, and extending Southward from the river that forms a junction with South River West of Front Royal, would never tire at his task. The majestic Blue Ridge on the East, has its rival in the Massanutton on the West, with her three moun- tain ranges extending for about forty miles.

The Overall Family

The South River, or Luray, Valley has never seen the time in its history when this pioneer family was not represented; yet very few per- sons can be found in this section of Virginia, who can tell you of the historical incidents that belong to the Overall family. The name has been prominent in England for several centuries. Bishop Overall and Bishop Cosen compiled the Book of Common Prayer of the Established Church. The American Overalls are in direct descent from Bishop Overall who was also author of the Convocation Book, mentioned by McCau- ley in his History of England. The first settle- ment made by this family in America, was in Stafford County, Va., about 1700. One member of this branch came to the Shenandoah Valley as soon as it was open for settlement. This was John Overall, who married Maria Christina Fro- man, granddaughter of Joist Hite; settled on South River, and there reared seven children, viz : John, William, Nathaniel, Mary, Nancy, Rob- ert and Christina.

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 79

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