Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 86

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 86

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Turner Scrivener, who lives in Back Creek Dist. married a daughter of Bev. Lockhart, Esq.

The Bywaters Family

This family became first known to Back Creek Valley about the beginning of the 19th Century, when the ancestor of the family came from the East side of the Blue Ridge, where can now be found relatives of the family. They selected a limestone farm West of Pughtown, and there the family the writer knew, was raised, only three of whom he will mention: Robert C., Joseph P., and Asenath Bywaters who married Alfred Garrett. Robert C. succeeded the father as head of the family. There he lived until about 1884, when he sold out to Jacob Emmart and removed to Kentucky. Two of his chil- dren remained in Frederick County. One was Joseph O., already mentioned as living on the Cedar Creek Grade. Robert was a man of ex- emplary character. His brother Jos. P. was a physician; he went to Ohio and first practiced at Groveport, becoming very successful. He mar- ried Miss Mattie Fergusson of that place. She has been previously mentioned in the Cartmell Sketch. They frequently visited Frederick County pre- vious to the Civil War. He and his wife min- istered to the wants of Confederate prisoners at Camp Chase, Ohio. The Doctor survived the War only a few years. His grave may be found in the family lot at the old homestead, with suitable monument marking the place. Other graves show who were the ancestors. The old house occupied now by Edward Emmart, son of Jacob F., deceased, is supposed to have been erected by the Curlett family prior to the Rev- olutionary War. His brother Clinton Emmart lives adjoining him. Mr. Bywaters made some changes in the house during his incumbency. Back Creek flows through the farm. A cele- brated spring at this place has been known as the Bywaters Spring for a century; and tra- ditionary history gives this as a place of set- tlement by the Smith family at an early day. We give the statement made by Mr. Wm. R. Smith for what it may be worth to others, who may probe the mysteries of the past with more success than the writer, who is unable to sub- stantiate the statement from any recorded evi- dence.

The Smith Family of Back Creek Valley, as given by Mr. Wm. R. Smith.

Jeremiah Smith was the pioneer settler of this Valley. He came from New Jersey in company with two other men (names not known) about 1730, before the settlement of the Shenan- doah Valley. They camped at what is now known as Bywaters Spring, on the banks of Back Creek, just below the historic Back Creek Valley. After staying there three months, they returned to New Jersey. Smith remarried in

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New Jersey and returned to Virginia. While in Virginia the first time, he marked out a farm, which afterwards was subdivided and became what was William Smith's farm, Samuel Smith's farm, the Old Home Farm, just North, and running down to the tollgate at Back Creek, the Jo. Davis farm, the Seibert farm, and the Sampson Frum farm. The tract comprised all of the little valley that lies before the traveler, when he passes through the mountain going West, and comes in sight of Back Creek. When Smith returned with his wife, he took possession of this tract of land; built a house just a little Northwest of where the turnpike crosses Back Creek in going to Romney; where he raised a large family, and divided his land among his children.

Jeremiah Smith had born to him one child, a son, by his New Jersey wife. She died. The son grew to manhood; went with his mother's people to the Carolinas; volunteered in the Rev- olutionary Army, and died in the struggle for In- dependence. George Smith, son of Jeremiah Smith by his second wife, came in possession of the old homestead where he was born, and later, of the greater portion of the land owned by his pioneer father,- his brothers and sisters sell- ing their interests and moving to the West.

George Smith married Frances Curlett, dau. of Nicholas Curlett. They raised a large family of children, all of whom have passed over to the great unknown. Samuel Smith, son of George and Frances Smith, was born Mch. 6, 1802. He married Maria Tidings. To them were born the following children: Frances, Lucy, George, K., Giles K., Wim. R., Granville, Algernon W., and John T .- four of whom are dead. George K. lives in Colorado. Giles J. lives at the home where he was born, in Back Creek Valley; Wil- liam R. lives in Winchester, Va. Dr. John T. Smith lives in Baltimore, Md.

Back Creek Valley was the name given to the postoffice in that vicinity by the P. O. depart- ment more than one hundred years ago. In my earliest recollection, it was kept by Genl. Lock- hart. In going to and returning from school, we had to pass by his house, and would get the mail. I remember having to pay ten cents in coin to have a letter mailed, the amount paid at that time for mailing a letter, which now costs two cents. The name of the postoffice has been changed, and is now known as Gore. I have to feel sorry every time I write the name, that they did not retain the ancient and historic name of Back Creek Valley.

In 1777, Harrison Taylor bought land of Jere- miah Smith on Back Creek. Again in 1787 Harrison Taylor bought land lying on Back Creek "on the great road leading from Winches-

ter to Romney," from the same Jeremiah Smith. On this tract he, Harrison Taylor, built what was then known as "The Big Mill" on Back Creek, which was then on the road known as the Great Road leading from Winchester to Rom- ney.

Later, when the North Western Turnpike was built, they changed the location of the road at the crossing of the creek, running it more to the West, leaving the mill to the South. This mill did the grinding for that community and for all the surrounding country for many miles.

Harrison Taylor was known as "Honest old Taylor at the Mill." He married Margaret Cur- lett, daughter of Nicholas Curlett, and sister to Frances Curlett, who married George Smith, above named. Later they sold their property in Virginia and moved to Kentucky. Harrison Taylor came East to Winchester when it was a frontier village, from central Virginia. His parents were of Welsh and English origin.

At the present time Mr. Charles W. Parish owns and occupies the old Mill property and farm, Mr. Ott Kerns operating the Mill.

William Smith, grandson of the pioneer, inher- ited a large tract of land which descended to his grandchildren, the homestead passing to Wm. C. Smith, whose children now enjoy it as their home, which lies on the creek below the ford. William, Sr., reared a large family, five sons and several daughters. The oldest, Thomas B. Smith, once owned the old mill, mentioned by Wm. R., which was once known as the Sibert Mill. Thomas B. married Miss Harris of Culpeper County, about 15 years ago he removed his family South. If living, he is the only sur- vivor of the family of brothers and sisters. Rob- ert B. Smith, his brother, married Sarah E., daughter of Nathaniel C. Lupton, living in full view, just West of the Northwest Turnpike ford. After raising his family, he removed to Kansas; later on to Oklahoma. His son, Dr. Nat. Smith living at Gainsboro village, is the only survivor of this family. Dr. A. J. Smith, the well-known physician who lived on the West side of the pike beyond the ford going West, died there a few years ago. The son William and daughter Jennie survive the parents and inherited his fine estate. Dr. George Smith removed to Ohio. Jennie is the wife of Mr. Calvin Garvin, of Lou- doun County. William C. Smith, the youngest son, lived and died at the old homestead. He married Miss Harris, sister to Thomas B.'s wife. His widow and children maintain the splendid property successfully.

The other branches of the pioneer's family are not traceable at present. One of William Smith, Sr.'s, daughters married Wm. Cather;

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and one of his sisters was the mother of Robt. C. and Dr. Bywaters.

The Whitacre Family

This family is now so numerous in Western Frederick, that it is difficult to trace every fam- ily line. The name appears in several of the Virginia counties East of the Blue Ridge. Joshua the first of the name found in Frederick County, lived at one time in Loudoun County; he prob- ably is the Joshua Whitacre who figured as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. His son George was born in Loudoun County, but was in Frederick County with his father about 1800. George married Rachael Wilson, of Loudoun County; issue by this union: Nimrod, Asbury, Annette, Robert, Phineas, Zedwell, Richard and Aglen. George died in 1853 on Timber Ridge, Frederick County, an old man, the owner of large tracts of land, which were divided among his children, the major part of which is now held by his grandchildren. Their name is legion, and like the ubiquitous Smiths, precludes the possi- bility of bringing them into line. The first and second generations have intermarried with nearly every family in Western Frederick. Some moved to other counties and other States. The oldest son of George, Nimrod born in 1822, married Elizabeth A. dau. of Peter Mauzy, of Hamp- shire County, Va., in 1844. As stated else- where, he served as Justice of the Peace, and one term in the Virginia Legislature. There were born to them Harrison P., L. C., James P., George S., Wm. Clark, Turner A., Robt. E. L., and Herbert D. Harrison P. is the well-known merchant at Gainsboro, who has been a mem- ber of the Board of Supervisors of the county for several terms. He married Mary V., daugh- ter of Richard Johnson : issue Effie A., Eliza- beth J., Sophia A., and Nimrod S. James P. Whitacre has prospered in the practice of the law in Winchester for nearly thirty years. He also has a law office in New York City, where he spends part of his time. He married a lady of that city. No children.

George S. is a prosperous farmer, married, and has a family. W. Clark, the widely known mer- chant and miller at Whitacre P. O., married a daughter of John Giffin.

Turner A., Robt. E., and Herbert D. are ac- tive business men. Robert and the other sons of George are all dead, but they have many rep- resentatives, who rank among the best men in that Western section. O. C. Whitacre the Jus- tice of the Peace, Charles the widely-known auc- tioneer and stock-dealer, and his brothers Joshua, Hiram, Isaac and others in the North end of the District are men respected and esteemed by all. John R. Whitacre was Commissioner of the

Revenue for the Northern District for two terms and a well-known school teacher. Ira C. Whitacre, an old Frederick County school teacher, is now in charge of the prosperous Academy at Fairfax C. H. We must here leave this family for the present, hoping to receive later on a fuller memo. of the family lines.

The Braithwaite Family

This family can feel proud of their origin. They come of old English stock, where the name is honored now as it was 200 years ago, where the Civil, Army and Navy Gazettes, show the name in many stations. The pioneer of the family so far as Frederick County is concerned, was William Braithwaite who was in the vicin- ity of Middletown, Va., at the close of the Rev- olutionary War, in which he served as a sol- dier, produced proof of this to the courts, and was listed as a tax-payer. Tradition fixes his birth in England about 1760, and that he was in America when only 16 years of age, and must have enlisted very soon after his arrival. He married Miss Brookover, of Frederick Coun- ty, where he continued to live until his death July 13, 1831. His grave is in the old Heironi- mous graveyard, now known as Redland. He was one of the ante bellum school-teachers-a class of men well remembered by the old people of to-day. He was the father of thirteen chil- dren, who intermarried with so many families, we are unable to give much at this writing. His oldest son Benjamin was born Aug. 28, 1787; then came William, Jacob, John and Emory, the eight daughters made up the 13 children. The old marriage record in the County Office will show whom they married. One of the sons John, enlisted in Capt. Van Horn's Company when 18 years of age, and served in the War of 1812, as shown elsewhere. He married Susan Farmer May 8, 1828, and died in 1864. His widow was entitled to a pension until her death at the age of 94 years. The four children by this union were: William F., born May 1, 1830, John A., 1832; Lydia, 1835, and Hannah, 1839. William F. Braithwaite was one of Gainsboro's most enterprising citizens. He prospered in farm- ing and milling at Cross Junction. He was a gallant Confederate soldier; served as Justice of the Peace for many terms, and was Commis- sioner of Elections as long as his health would admit. He married Mary S. Grove and had eight children. His son, O. D. Braithwaite the merchant at Cross Junction, served several terms as Commissioner of the Revenue for the North- ern District. The writer recalls with sincere pleasure his many visits to the Clerk's Office in connection with his office. His affable man- ners as an official and his efficient service, made

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him agreeable in his important work. Florence C., Verena D., and Clara were the daughters. Jackson S. and Edward W., the other sons, are highly respected young men. Samuel (Jackson S.) operates mills and threshes in connection with his farming. Edward W. is well known among the educational interests of his section, and is a successsful teacher. Their father Wm. F. died several years since; and Edward W. was one of his executors to settle his estate.

The DeHaven Family

The writer regrets his inability to produce a full record of this family; and having had con- siderable experience in tracing this and the Mercer family in connection with some mystic fortune, his efforts to name any, would not do justice to those not mentioned.

Jacob, John and Caleb were among very early settlers; and their descendants are numerous, and many of them well-known business men in the vicinity of the post office and mill, stores, etc., of this name. The sons of James W. lived for many years; Turner A. and his brothers. Alex- ander, Thomas and Isaac N. on Back Creek, and their sons, are all active and useful citizens.

Dorsey DeHaven, one of the oldest men of the name, lives on Lower Back Creek, and owns what was known for many years as the old Abm. Haines property. His estate is very notice- able. His sons James R., Bradley T. and Caleb D. are prosperous farmers. His three daughters are Mrs. A. B. Braithwaite, Mrs. C. E. O'Roke, and Mrs. Jos. Barney.

Harvey D. DeHaven's children are Jos. T., William, and Mrs. Geo. Whitacre.

The Mercer Family (once called Messer) The family were of the Caleb, Joshua and Job Mercer stock,-all distantly related to Genl. Mercer of Revolutionary War fame. None of the name is in the county to-day. They were once numerous. Many other families that inter- married with the Mercers, have numerous progeny that have been seeking for clues to a claim the Mercers had at one time against the U. S. Government and also to a deposit in the Bank of England. Some of the descendants have faith in the statements made by shrewd agents; and some of the best business men of this fam- ily are spending money in their effort to recover these fortunes.

The Pugh Family

This is one of those families that settled on Back Creek far back, in the 18th Century. Job Pugh who founded Pugh's Town (Gainsboro) in 1797, had a large family. Some of the mar-

ried sons and daughters founded homes on Tim- ber Ridge, and gradually crossed Bear Ridge, and branches of the family settled on Capon River, becoming permanent citizens of Hamp- shire County. Several of the name have been very prominent men in that county, one being the present sheriff; two of the name have served as members of the Virginia House of Delegates. The most prominent in Frederick County for the last twenty years is Malachi Pugh, who owns several farms near the Hampshire line. By his thrift and industry he has accumulated quite an estate. One daughter married George Fletcher ; and one son is married and lives near his father ; likewise another daughter.

The McIntire Family is represented now by Mr. John McIntire, 92 years old, hale and hearty -a good sample of this sturdy family-all others now gone. Mr. McIntire was one of the old- time school teachers.

The Fletcher Family was once quite numerous. George and John are good business men.

The Maury Family is one of the oldest fam- ilies in that section. Robert Mauzy and his family maintain the good reputation of their an- cestors.

The Heironimous Family was numerous at one time, but in later years the name has become few in number.

The Bageant Family. This family still main- tains its good name. Andrew Jackson Bageant was well known during his long life. His sons John W. and brother are farmers in comfortable circumstances. Sons of the former live in Wash- ington, and are young men of ambition and merit success. Mr. Ed. Bageant is a prominent farmer of this section; he married a daughter of Mrs. Siler, who makes her home with him.

The Bakers Mill voting precinct takes its name from the Baker family who lived in that sec- tion for more than a century (See sketch of the Baker family.) Erastus B. Baker and his brother Dr. I. N. Baker are good representatives of the old stock. The former has been Regis- trar at that precinct for many years. Dr. Baker was a Confederate soldier.

Robert Luttrell represents an old family of that name.

The Collins Family

This family now represented by Chas. P. Col- lins and his brother, sons of Daniel Collins, whose father emigrated from Ireland the latter part of

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the 18th Century, are all good types of that class of Irish emigrants who found homes in the Shenandoah Valley.

The Shade Family is not so numerous as it once was; but such men as Philip, Robert and Edward are good descendants of the old stock, that was probably founded by Jacob and brother.

The Peacemakers, Omps, Shanholtzes, Browns, Strothers, Darlingtons, Howards, Hinckles, Rin- kers (see sketch of this family) and many others, are well-known families and entitled to fuller notice; but we have devoted more space to Gains- boro District than this volume will justify.

The writer remembers Benedict Omps, the father of Gore, Chris. and Benj. F .- the last two were soldiers in the Stonewall Brigade. Richard L. Omps one of the grandsons of Benedict, is one of the most prominent and successful men in that section. Jacob Hinckle the old Justice, Patrick Howard the old miller, Wm. Grove and son-in-law Daniel Gano, the Place, Peacemaker, Largent, Ziler (Siler) Shockey, Strother and the well-known Heironimous family-all have inter- esting connection with the early days of N. West Frederick. Families who were prominent in Frederick County during the 19th Century, are so numerous, that we can only mention a few, and as briefly as possible. Starting the lim- ited number with the old country doctors, who so faithfully traversed the country day and night with saddle pockets full of medicine bottles and instruments, that the modern physician in his rubber tire or automobile would not deign to handle. Then microbes and the appendicitis had not been discovered.

Dr. Robt. McCandless was found near the site of Clear Brook; Dr. Z. Brown at Pughtown; still later, Dr. Danl. Janney at Welltown; Dr. J .. W. Best at Brucetown, who first started at Whitehall; Dr. Cochran, Sr., at Welltown, before Janney; Dr. E. B. Smoke at Whitehall; Dr. J. E. Janney, Dr. Tom Hinckle at Cross Junc- tion, and Dr. W. Hollis. Dr. Peter Senseny; Dr. Peter Ridings, at Middletown; following him came Drs. Guyer, Davisson and Larrick.

At Newtown we find Drs. McLeod, Jno. W. Owen, T. M. Miller and S. M. Stickley.

At Cedar Creek was Drs. Hite Baldwin, Chas. W. Sydnor and E. D. Cherry. On the Cedar Creek Grade, Dr. I. M. Brumback.

Along the Big North Dr. Keffer, Dr. Hollis, and Dr. Jack Smith in Back Creek Valley; Dr. Wm. M. Lupton at the Round Hill. Some old country doctors who preceded these mentioned, have been noticed elsewhere in this volume.

Of the younger class we have Drs. P. B. Stick- ley and Montgomery at Stephens City; Dr.

Cover at Mountain Falls, Drs. R. W. Gover and Chas. Anderson at Gore; Dr. Nat. Smith at Gains- boro, and Dr. Weaver at Middletown.

The Stephenson Family

We find three families of this name in the County early in the 19th Century. No relation- ship is recognized between them. Stephenson Station on the Winchester and Potomac Rail- road, five miles from Winchester, was started by William Stephenson, who owned a large tract of land. His highly cultivated farms were land- marks in that section. His two sons John W. and Henry inherited the landed estate, which they found at the close of the Civil War, swept clean of fences and outbuildings. The old man- sion-house, "Kenilworth," was spared. Henry oc- cupied this and a large farm adjoining until his death about 1904. He married Miss Marbury, of Georgetown, D. C., in 1878. His widow and two sons survive him. John W. lived for many years on his portion; his residence being East of the railroad. He also erected good tenant houses, and donated the land for the Methodist Church. His wife was Miss Mason. They have one son, W. Roy Stephenson, the well-known member of the Winchester Bar. The family has resided in Winchester for several years in their handsome property on Washington Street. The other children of William were: one brother and three sisters.

William was the son of James W. Stephenson, of Burnside, County Donegal, Ireland, and came to Virginia in 1794, with his family and settled in Charlestown, Jefferson County. His son Wil- liam was then eleven years old.

James W. Stephenson, who has been mentioned as one of the Supervisors of Frederick County, lived in the vicinity of Brucetown, until his death a few years ago. He was very successful in his quiet farm life. His son-in-law Luther A. Huyett, occupies the splendid property. Mr. Stephenson and his brother Samuel, came from Shenandoah where the family had settled in the early days. Samuel died in Frederick County, leaving one daughter who is the wife of Dr. Henkel, of Winchester.

Mention is made elsewhere of the third family of this name, whose ancestor was Robert Steph- enson, settling near the old Quaker Graveyard.

The Isaac Wood Family

To distinguish this family from that of James Wood, the old Clerk, we find they first settled in Pennsylvania, coming from Lancashire, Eng- land. Thomas seems to have been the pioneer

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of this family. He is found in Chester County, Penn., with his wife and two sons, William and Joseph, in 1725 and 1750. About this time Joseph the second son of William was born, who re- moved to Frederick County and died in 1816. His son Isaac was born in this county in 1787, and died 1855. He married Maria Littler, of Frederick County; and through his wife inher- ited part of what was known in early days as the Yorkshireman's Branch farm, afterwards Red Bud. This was about 4 miles from Winchester, near the Opecquon. The property passed to his son Charles L. Wood. Isaac was the father of eight children, all dead but one, who is Daniel T. Wood, known to all for his splendid traits, maintained throughout his long life of 86 years. Mr. Wood owns the fine property on the Opec- quon about 5 miles from Winchester, where we find one of the mills, near the Spout Spring ford on the Opecquon, where a substantial and much needed bridge has been built. Mr. Wood married Miss Nichols, and had eight children by this union, only four of whom are now liv- ing, viz : Mrs. Lucretia Eley, Mrs. Margaret Tal- bott, of Ohio, Mary and Clara at home. The old homestead, once known as Spout Spring, was first settled by Joseph Carter, who erected a good-sized stone house, used as a Tavern stand. This became a favorite camp ground for the Indians. The writer has many traditions of that period-1747-56, but lacks space for them. The old stone house served as fort and tavern; and guests felt secure when stopping with Joseph Carter and his son John.

Charles L. Wood the oldest son of Isaac, had only one child to survive him-Nannie, who married George W. Bowly, of Winchester. Mr. Bowly has lived in Atlanta for several years. They are the parents of several children. One son Charles L. Bowly is a frequent visitor to Winchester, where his mother temporarily re- sides.

Isaac left two other sons, Robert and Thomas. Robert Married Miss Hollingsworth, of Ohio. He was in business in Winchester for several years. He left three children: Florence, Effie (Mrs. Cartright of Winchester), and Charles, who married Miss Fishpaw.

Thomas B. Wood erected a fine woolen mill on Red Bud, and there conducted a profitable business until his untimely death. He married (first) Miss Vass, and had one son William, who lives in Oregon. One daughter, Leslie, by his second wife, became the wife of E. C. Jor- dan, Jr.

The Clayton Family

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 86

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