USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 88
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kilns operated near the spring. This necessarily transforms the scenery once so wild and at- tractive. The present owner is David A. Stick- ley.
Benjamin F. married a dau. of David Dinges, Sr., and reared his family at his splendid farm, which is still in the family. His two daughters married brothers, Harvey and F. Estes Kline. The son Edward married Miss Baker. All are prosperous and highly esteemed families in the old neighborhood.
Levi Stickley (mentioned above) was the father of E. E. Stickley. This is Col. Stickley, of Woodstock. Another son, John H., married a Miss Margaret Stickley.
Dr. P. B. Stickley, of Stephens City, married a daughter of Justice Downing.
The Stickley family intermarried with the Boyer, McInturff, Jenkins, Browning, Fisher, Helm and Cutler families. The two last named were wives of Col. E. E. Stickley, of Woodstock. Ann E., the only daughter, remained single. She inherited about 200 acres of her father Abram's large estate.
The Brinker Family
This family has been associated with the Southern part of Frederick for many years, and was regarded as having first settled in that sec- tion. This is a mistake. Henry Brinker the pioneer, first lived in the village of Winchester prior to 1750, and died on his farm N. E. of Winchester in 1772. In 1754, this minute appears in the Order Book of the Court: "Henry Brinker a German Protestant, proved to the Court that he had been an inhabitant of the Colony seven years and not absent two months at any time and had a certificate from Rev. John Gordon, that he had received the rites of Sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England." Henry Brinker purchased 381 acres of land from Lord Fairfax in 1763, located on Opecquon N. E. of Winchester. He mentions his wife Catherine in his will, and also his children, Elizabeth Haas, Henry and George. George was then living on a plantation near Winchester on East side of Potomac Road, and in his will he mentions his wife Rebeccana and his children Catherine M., Abram, Isaac., J., Rebecka and George. This last son later on owned land near Middletown, and resided there and raised a large family.
It will be seen in Sketches of the Hite Family, that Benjamin Brinker married a grand-daugh- ter of Isaac Hite. This was Louisa Ann Lodor. Three children by this union were George, El- tinge who married her cousin Oland Brinker, and Madison Brinker. The writer remembers Major Ben Brinker as one of the most prominent men of that section, and prior to the Civil War was
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a large property holder. Suffering reverses dur- ing that period, he was induced to dispose of his farm and try his fortunes in one of the West- ern States. Having disposed of all their landed estate at various times between 1874 and 1880, he and his brother George finally ended their days in Denver City. The latter was city treas- urer at one time, and both were connected with the State government of Colorado. The Brinkers intermarried with several families in Southern Frederick, but at this writing the name of Brinker does not appear in the Lower Valley.
The Dinges Family
This family appeared in Frederick County in 1831 for the first time, though a family of this name was in the Shenandoah Valley among the pioneers, but their lineage is not traceable. David Dinges, Sr., who purchased the farm where Wm. H. Dinges now lives, was born in Woodstock in 1788, where he married Catherine a daughter of Philip Miller in 1822. She was born in 1820. Her father was the son of Jacob Miller the founder of Mullerstadt, afterwards Woodstock. Children by this union were: Ellen G., Elizabeth, and Francis were born in Woodstock. The fam- ily then removed to Frederick County, 1831, where Wm. H., Ann R., Virginia, America, Mary Catherine and David B. were born. Seven of them married and lived in Frederick County within two miles of the homestead. All are now dead except Wm. H. and Davis B. The former lives on part of the old homestead and is a successful farmer, a ruling elder in the Cedar Cliff Presb. Church, and has been Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors of Frederick County for several terms. David B. is a mer- chant in Middletown. He retired from farming several years ago, having sustained a serious fracture of his leg. He, too, is one of the elders of the Presbyterian Church. Philip Miller is mentioned as having served as Major in the War of 1812. He was born in 1760. David Dinges, Sr., served in the same war. He had five brothers and two sisters. Wm. H. Dinges married (first) Miss Smith, daughter of William Smith, of Back Creek. One son George survives his mother. Wm. H. married his second wife in Shenandoah County. She was Miss Whissen. Children by this union are Roy W., and William D., (dead) and the Misses Nellie H., Edna M., Vista Grove, and Mary G. Dinges.
David B. Dinges married Ida Reely, children : Harold, Edith and Ida M.
Henry A. and his brother David C. are related distantly to the Dinges family just mentioned. Henry married a daughter of Mager Steele, with- out issue. He is one of the retired merchants of Stephens City; an old Confederate soldier,
and at this writing, in declining health. David C. his brother is a farmer, living East of Steph- ens City. His other brother George has been mentioned elsewhere.
The Steele Family of Stephensburg
The writer knew Mager Steele, Esq., as one of the prominent men of his section. He filled several offices of trust prior to the Civil War; was one of the old Commissioners of the Reve- nue, Justice of the Peace, etc. Mr. Steele was the father of Milton B. and Mager B. Steele, who composed the well-known firm of Steele Brothers. Both are now dead. Their widows and several children survive them, Boyd Steele of Stephens City being one, and Elmer Steele, dentist, son of Milton B. Steele another.
John M. Steele, son of Mager, Sr., once of the firm of Steele and Dinges, merchants, is now retired. Mr. Steele and his family live in Stephens City. One of his sisters is Mrs. Henry A. Dinges. He has two other sisters, the Misses Inez and Ida Steele. The latter is authoress of Methodism in Newtown, a valuable history of the M. E. Church of that place.
The Willey Family
We find three brothers of this name at a very early day in active life near Middletown, viz : Achilles, Alfred and William. Alfred left his three sons Atwell, Jacob W. and George and several daughters. Their descendants are well known in their neighborhood. William was the father of John W. Willey, Lawson, Jacob, Ed- ward a gallant Confederate killed at Gettysburg. Three daughters were the wives respectively of the well known citizens Messrs. Yates, Mathews and Venable. Capt. Jacob was the guide for Genl. Early when he crossed Cedar Creek near Bowman's Mill to attack Sheridan's Army.
The Hammack Family
Joseph Hammack now 90 years old, lives due East from Middletown on the same tract of land his father purchased from
who tradition says was one of the Hessian pris- oners. This family was of Welsh origin. Ashby Hammack and several sisters live in the same section. Others of this name are living in Hamp- shire County. Daniel Hammack lived on Hogue Creek and was one of the honest millers in his day. He died an old man many years since.
The Heater Family
Solomon Heater came from Loudoun County in 1845, and purchased "Cedar Grove" near Mid- dletown. He then married Caroline daughter of Dr. Henry Winder, of Penna. They had three
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sons, John P., member of the 7th Va. Cavalry; wounded at Pattersons Creek and died there Jany. 5, 1864; Henry, also of the 7th, captured and died in prison at Fort Delaware 1865, and Chas. W. Heater, who lives South of Middle- town, in one of the handsomest homes in the Valley. He has been president of the State Board of Agriculture for several years. Their mother was a remarkable business woman, an ardent Presbyterian. She enjoyed nearly 80 years of active life. Charles W. has but one son, Chas. W., married and without children.
The Rhodes Family
It has already been shown that one of the old mills on Cedar Creek West of Middletown, was erected by Valentine Rhodes, who had sev- eral brothers. Their ancestor was one of the pioneers. From this family sprung the family of this name found in the vicinity of Middle- town during the 19th Century. We may men- tion the names of Isaac, Jacob, Valentine, Jr. From these lines we find some of the name still prominent in that section-James W. Rhodes and his family, whose son is now a merchant in Mid- dletown.
The Edmondson Family
This name appears about the Revolutionary War period. The Sketch of Winchester men- tions Thomas Edmondson, the Tavern Keeper. The name has been connected with the South end of the county since that period, C. E. Ed- mondson the merchant of Middletown, being one of the descendants of this family.
The Danner Family
Jacob Danner has been mentioned elsewhere as one of the clockmakers prior to 1800; and Danner has been mentioned as a tavern keeper in Winchester, showing this family to be one of the 18th Century pioneers The writer knew Jacob S. Danner, of Middletown, long before the Civil War. He was an active man during his long life; owned several tracts of land; and he too conducted the jewelry business of the village for many years. His wife was a daugh- ter of Joseph Miller, sister to John M. Their children were Atwell, William and three sisters, Martha, Bernice and Mary Ellen. Bernice be- came the wife of Rev. David Harris, of Middle- town. Mary Ellen married (first) David Wal- ton, a lawyer of Woodstock, and afterwards, as his widow, became the second wife of Rev. Har- ris. Rev. Mr. Harris, now of Baltimore, is the son of Bernice. The three sisters were noted for their attractions. One of the brothers mar- ried Miss Lodor, and one Miss Carson; they live in Richmond. The name of Danner is now extinct in the Valley.
The Dellinger Family
This family has beeen mentioned previously as one of the pioneers of the Valley. The writer knew several members of the later generation. David was the father of James H. Dellinger and Dr. George E. and other members. James H. held several important offices subsequent to the Civil War, in which he had been a gallant Con- federate. His death about 1890 was lamented by many of his old comrades and friends.
The Everly Family
Wm. H. Everly, the widely known coach and wagon maker of Middletown, maintains the good reputation of this family. He is now and has been the efficient registrar of the Middletown elec- tion precinct. Mr. Everly's family belongs to the 19th Century. So also such families as the Ewings, Ridenours, Braggs, Hottles, Cooleys, Wilkinsons, Hensells and Yates. To the East, we find the Orndorffs, Guards, Lockes, Golli- days and many others that started the wave of progress after 1830; while to the West we find the Headleys, Chiles, Rusts, Carsons, Massies, Newmans, Grimms, Watsons, Barleys, Afflecks, Ogdens, Mathews, Mahaneys, Pangles, Tablers- busy with their farms, shops and other enter- prises, starting with the early part of the 19th Century. Still Westward towards the mountain, we find the population changed in name and con- dition, since Zane started his Marlboro Iron Works. The Carrs, Longacres, Baldwins, Bris- coes, Hogues and others of the 18th Century, have long since disappeared, and their places filled by a class of people that belong to the history of the 19th Century. We find the old Brent family represented by one of the de- scendants of a name that has been familiar in that section for more than 100 years.
The Brent-Sydnor Families
These families have been mentioned in Old Homestead Sketches. Charles Brent having survived the Revolutionary War, and settled down on his large tract of land already mentioned, was again in 1812 serving his country in that war. He reared a large family. Of his sons we mention Henry M., John G., Charles Innes. He had several daughters. One was Mrs. Jas. P. Riely, Mrs. Emily O'Bannon (of whom see other sketches) ; one daughter Susan lived in Winchester about 90 years. Mary A. became the wife of Capt. R. M. Sydnor; the children being Charles W. (Dr. Sydnor), Ellen Moore, Ann H., Richard M., Silas, Fauntleroy, and Kate. Ellen Moore married N. M. Cartmell (See Cartmell Sketches). Ann married Capt S. G. Jamison; no children living. The sons
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all served in the Confederate Army. Dick, as he was familiarly called, was in some famous scouting service. He and Silas died in Texas several years ago. Fauntleroy died near his old home. Kate married a Mr. Wilkes of Wash- ington. She survives her husband. Dr. Syd- nor's widow and several children survived him. His widow is now dead. Carrie married G. W. Bragg. Ann married and left the county. One son Dr. Wm. Sydnor, lives near Richmond, Va. Capt Sydnor has been mentioned in connection with Spring Hill, his homestead near Old Forge. Capt. Sydnor was captured by the British on the high seas in 1811; the ship looted, and all the crew impressed in the naval service. The writer heard him recount his experiences and of the merchant seamen who were so unfortu- nate as to fall into the hands of the British Navy. Such outrages ended with the War of 1812-14. Capt. Sydnor and several of his old crew escaped after two years imprisonment and brutal treatment, and finding his way to one of the privateer vessels of the American Navy, did good service for his country until peace was de- clared. He bore marks of the flogging punish- ment he received at the hands of the British officer. The last year of the War, he was given command of a privateer vessel; and he always believed his crew sank the very vessel that had been his place of torture for two years. This was off the coast of Cuba in 1815. After his return to the Valley, he and his brother William lived in what was then called Syndor's Gap, West of Winter Hill. After his marriage with Miss Brent, he purchased Spring Hill.
Henry M. son of Col. Charles Brent, has been mentioned as one of the prominent citizens of Winchester. He was the father of C. Lewis Brent, Edwin S. and Henry M., Jr., all of whom have been mentioned in other pages. One daugh- ter Carrie, by a second marriage, died young. Col. Charles died in 1830, an old man. He owned the large spring and provided for its continuance in the Brent family. He also pro- vided for his wife Rachael, and directed that a plat of ground at Winter Hill be set apart for the burial of himself and family. He also pro- vided for the support of his aged father and mother who lived in his homestead. Whether this was the aged and distinguished lawyer George Brent, who was a member of the Win- chester Bar in 1772, is not known to the writer.
The Sperry Family
This family found at Middletown during the 19th Century, is traceable from the Sperrys of Winchester, who possibly built the first cabins along the old town run, before they had their deed, found among the old Spottsylvania records
in the land office at Richmond, which mentions the existence of a house on the land lying on a branch of the Opecquon. When the town was laid out, the Sperry lots were recognized, show- ing their first location may have been on the run when they had two small tanyards in 1739. We find them ever afterwards in the town and coun- ty, taking part in civil and military activities. John Sperry and his family of Middletown, are all that bear the name to-day, though many de- scendants are found in the Valley. The author knew two old men many years ago, Peter E. and Peter G. Sperry residents of Winchester, Va. They were distantly related. One child of Peter, Lottie, is the wife of Rev. J. W. Lupton; another daughter was Mrs. Doct Chris Reed. Two prominent business men of N. York City, Joseph and Thomas Sperry, are of this line. We find the name often written Speary, Spirey, Sparry. Admiral Sperry of the American Navy, traces his line to the Valley poineers.
The Beatty Family
This family first appeared in the town of Win- chester at an early day as one of the pioneers, sending its branches Southward into the County, and intermarrying with many prominent fami- lies. The Beatty families found at this day about Stephens City and country East, viz: the late Capt. John W. Beatty, R. S. Beatty, J. C. and several others, are traceable from Capt. Henry Beattie who has been mentioned in these pages as an officer in the Revolutionary War and other war periods. The name has suffered some changes by scribes during the periods mentioned. Beatty Carson who was prominent in the early part of the 19th Century, points the connection with this family. Col. Henry Beattie died in 1840, eighty years old. He was in command of a Va. Regiment at Crainey Island in 1813. Con- gress presented him a sword for gallant ser- vices. He had a son Dr. Stephen Rittenhouse Beatty, and a daughter Juliet who married John Shipe. Their tombs are in Mt. Hebron. Three brothers of this name came from Ireland when young, and settled East of the Blue Ridge. Two of these are found in the regiments during the Indian Wars. They secured land in Frederick County, near where Front Royal now stands; and their descendants are found in Warren Coun- ty now, on part of the same land.
The large family mentioned, living in Fred- erick County, are chiefly the children of Robert Beatty who died in 1888, aged 88.
Capt. Jno. W. Beatty's two sons Atwell and Charles, live in Stephens City.
Henry C. Beatty's children are: J. C., Minnie, Frank and David. R. S. Beatty's children are : James R., John S., Harry E., Chas. C., Lloyd
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W., Atwell S., Guy T., Ida B. wife of Wm. Lewin, and Flora B. wife of A. R. Woods.
Samuel W. Beatty, at Strasburg, sons: How- ard, Frank and Roy.
Irvin Beatty has sons at Pittsburg. Four of Robert's sons were Confederate sol- diers.
Samuel Beatty, a brother of Robert, lived in Ohio for years, with a large family.
The Bucher (Booker) Family
This family found about Newtown as one of the pioneers, also in the Western section of the county, often spelled \the name Boogher. They furnished soldiers for all the wars during the history of the county. Many old citizens living near the old Russell Precinct, remember old Capt. Jacob Bucher; and those about Stephens City remember the old Buchers of that section. The name is familiar in Tidewater Virginia, and prominent in St. Louis. Old records of the County afford much valuable information rela- tive to this family. If space permit, fuller no- tice will appear.
The Lemley Family
The first of this name was John Lemley who lived in Winchester prior to 1755. From him is traceable the old Newtown Lemleys, and the well- known families found in Stephens City at this writing. Jacob Lemley and his sons Robert T. and Frank, well-known merchant tailors; James M., married Miss Barr and several other mem- bers of this family are well known business men and have been identified with the best interests of this historic town.
What is said of the Lemleys, may also be said of the Weaver, Young, Grove, Adams, Shry- ock, Guard, and Steele families, prominent about the old Stephens Town from its earliest history. Several of those families had branches in Win- chester; and several representatives were well- known Confederate soldiers.
The Cadwallader Family
James W. Cadwallader is the representative of this pioneer family which settled in the neigh- borhood of Stephensburg. He was a Confederate soldier of the Civil War. Mr. Cadwallader was left a widower while his large family of boys were quite small; and they have all turned out a credit and comfort to him in his declining years. They are John, who is the agent and store-keeper at Vaucluse Station, married and has a family. Floyd, who is married and in business in Stephens City, and Milton.
The Shryocks, Gibsons, Barnes, Drakes, Ar- genbrights, Samsells, Mayers and Allamongs, are
all part of the 19th Century. The writer hopes to find space for fuller mention of them. To the East of the Village, the Wise, Walter, Hale, Nelson, Albin, Cornwell, Grimm, Perry, Mumaw and several other families belong to old periods.
The McLeod families found around Stephens 'City, belong to the family of that name found far back in the early history of the county. They have been mentioned elsewhere.
W'm. Albin obtained a reward for taking up a runaway slave in 1754. Old court orders mention many of the above names.
Samuel Newman was a Justice of the Peace in 1754.
Associated with the Newtown section, were two well-known officials, no doubt forgotten by the population of to-day-Jas. Johnston and Wat- son Peery, the efficient constables. Johnston had a brother who removed to Mississippi many years before the Civil War. He has recently visited his nephew, B. C. Shull, hale and hearty at 94 years.
Watson Peery (not Perry as often called) was of the old family found in Carr's Gap (now Faw- cett's) in the pioneer days. His brother James died near the old settlement since the Civil War. both were men of fine traits. C. Milton Peery and C. W. Peery were sons of Watson. We could name many other well known families; but the reader must now be referred to the old records of the County.
The Chipley Family
This was one of the pioneer families. They were on the ground long before their first deed was recorded in 1775. Several lines started from this original stock, and descendants bear- ing the name are found in several States. The ancestors of James and L. J. Chipley, who took prominent part in the affairs of the county, were buried at Opecquon in a small lot on the South side of the old stone church. Prior to the Civil War, this lot was surrounded by a stone wall, and graves were marked by marble slabs,- all of which went along with other devastation. The only mark of the lot now is the wall foundation under the shade of old aspen trees. L. J. C. Chipley was a lawyer. James a farmer lived in the house of his ancestors near old Newtown, on the N. E. side of the Valley pike. It was the home of Thos. Harrison, an Englishman, subsequent to the Civil War. Capt. John Chipley, who died in Hardy County a few years ago, and W. D. Chipley of Stephens City. were sons of James.
The Carson Family
This family has been incidentally mentioned in other pages. Genl. Jas. H. Carson and his
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brother lived due West from Newtown. This family was connected with Anderson and other families of that section.
The Carter Family
Much has been said in other pages about the Carter family. This, however, related to the Carters found North of Winchester, as pioneers. From this family came Wm. A. Carter, who was the founder of the family living West of old Newtown. He was born in 1799; died 1857. He was a son of Arthur Carter mentioned as the paper manufacturer. He was twice married. His first wife Miss Beeler, was the mother of two children: Wm. A. and Mary E. Carter. Both moved to Missouri. The latter became the wife of James Taylor Mitton. The second wife of Wm. A., Sr., was Mary C. daughter of Law- rence Pittman, of Shenandoah County. Their children were John L., Robert K., Joseph M., Charles, Berryhill M., Geo. H., and Anna L. B. M. married Miss Caldwell of Fredericksburg. She has been very prominent in educational work. Her essays on various subjects testify to her accomplishments. Geo. H. married Eva C. daughter of Chas. Castleman. She is the mother of several well known children. Geo. H. is now connected with farm implement man- ufacturers.
The Shull Family
This family has been mentioned already, but the writer feels inclined to add something more. He knew Elijah Shull long before the Civil War, when he lived on the high point North of the Cedar Creek Spring, now the home of his daugh- ter Mrs. Dr. Cherry. Mr. Shull's father was Jonathan Shull, whose ancestor was one of the pioneers of the Cedar Creek country, and left a large family. Elijah married Harriet John- son. She became the mother of Edmonia (Mrs. Cherry), Godfrey, a large land holder of Mis- souri. He married Miss Vic. Baker of Hardy County. Briscoe C., served in Company C., 12th Va. Cavalry; married in 1871 Emma Hancock, now the mother of a large family. One daughter is the wife of Mr. Sowers; one the wife of Mr. Clagett; one son, Dr. Shull, lives in Okla- homa. Herbert is Comr. of the Rev. for the Southern District.
Emily, sister of Briscoe C., married J. Frank Lupton. Bertie became the second wife of Capt. S. G. Jamison. Charles lives in Missouri, Dr. E. D. Cherry, husband of Edmonia Shull, was a South Carolinan; he served 4 years in the Confederate Army as Surgeon, and practiced medicine in Southern Frederick from 1866 until his death in about 1904.
The Rinker Family
This family mentioned in connection with the Brent homestead as already stated, was founded by Casper Rinker, who moved from the old stone mill property at the head of Opecquon, when he purchased the Winter Hill property. His wife was Sarah Keckley. They lived at the mill property for about forty years. There they reared their family, viz : Belle, Anna, Wm. F., and Frederick. Belle married Hugh O. Pierce, and is the mother of Blanche, Conley and Gus.
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