Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 89

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 89


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102


Anna married J. Norton Claggett. They live at Winter Hill. She is the mother of several children.


William F. married Mary Streit-several chil- dren by this union.


Fred became a physician, and lives at Upper- ville, Va. Casper Rinker's father was Casper Rinker who lived near Pughtown, and had sev- eral children by his first wife, viz: Casper, Mrs. James Pangle, Josiah and Jacob. Also raised a family by his second wife. Josiah left several sons: one son, A. L. Rinker, lives on his father's old homestead, and has two chil- dren. This family can trace their lines through the old records from Gaspar Rinker, who owned land West of Winchester. He was appointed Apl. 2, 1771, overseer of a road from Hunting Ridge to the county line, in room of James McGill. The old pioneer had several brothers and sisters. William Rinker owned several large tracts of slate land West of Winchester, the father of John G. Rinker and George W. Rinker, was a grandson of one of the brothers. Henry Rinker brother of Gaspar, lived in Winchester in 1770.


The Pittman Family


This family has been mentioned several times, and is entitled to fuller notice. The writer remembers several of the old stock: Solomon, Andrew, Jacob and John. They could trace their lines from the earliest settlements. The fam- ily is dwindling in numbers, and indications are, the name like other old families, may become extinct. The three brothers Joseph, John W. and Philip, hold on to the old homestead. Joseph died long since, unmarried, and the other two are single. Their old homestead is one of the colo- nials, and once owned by Rev. Nash Legrand.


The Brumback Family


The handsome estate adjoining the Pitman home, owned by this family, justifies a brief men- tion of this family at this point. The family belongs to the Colonial settlers; but their first settlement was in old Frederick County, now Page. Joseph Brumback came from Page County about 1840, and made his home where his son


494


CARTMELL'S HISTORY


Jacob now lives, being the old Carr homestead. There he reared his family and spent a long and useful life. He was Justice of the Peace for several terms. His oldest son Andrew has been previously mentioned. Dr. Isaac M. Brumback, a brother, living in same neighborhood, is well known. He has one son a physician, and also several other children.


The Funkhouser Family


This family also came from the upper section early in the 19th Century. Anthony Funkhouser, the head of the large family, has been mentioned elsewhere. He reared a large family, Joseph H. being one, whose death occurred about 1906. One of his sons Chas. E. Funkhouser, is a prosperous farmer of Clarke County; one lives in Maryland. Daniel C. lives at the old home- stead, a prosperous farmer, with a large family. Chas. Wesley lives on part of the old Glebe Tract. He has a son and daughter.


The Fawcett Family


Thomas Fawcett the pioneer who settled in the part of Frederick County now Warren Coun- ty, and started the old homestead in 1797, was the father of fourteen children, his son Joseph being one. He inherited the homestead where his son Elkanah spent his long life, having mar- ried a daughter of Martin Funkhouser. They left a large family : Benjamin F., Joseph, Wm. P., T. F., and several daughters. The old stone homestead is retained by one of the sons. The older set were Quakers. The family came from Belfast, Ireland, among the early immigrations. The family has been mentioned as intermarrying with well-known families. Joseph Fawcett died 1862.


The Bayliss Family


This name appears elsewhere. John Bayliss was one of the old county surveyors,-cotem- porary with the Hites, Briscoes, Baldwins, etc. His son Henry Bayliss was an officer in the Revolutionary War. One of his sons Thomas, was one of the 1812 War pensioners. He was the father of eleven children, Marshall H., and Milton E. Bayliss being his sons. One of his daughters was Martin Wisecarver's first wife, who was the mother of Marion M. Wisecarver, now resident in Campbell County, Va. One of Henry Bayliss' sons was John Bayliss, father of Harrison T. Bayliss, one of the old tavern- keepers on the Northwestern Turnpike. His wife was Ann Jane Fizer, daughter of Michael Fizer who kept the old tavern on same road. After- wards his son-in-law John Wilson, conducted the well-known establishment. Harrison Bayliss left


a large family, his sons being Joseph H., M. Conley, John E. and Wm. H.


The Stephenson Family


Robert Stephenson, the first of the family in the Southern part of Frederick, married a daugh- ter of Casper Rinker. She was a sister of Casper of Winter Hill, and had two sons by this mar- riage; Joseph C., now living at the old home- stead.


Passing from this neighborhood, up the drains of Cedar Creek, we find many descendants of old pioneers of that section, seated on the old homesteads. The Fryes, Goughs, Williams, Keck- leys (Cackleys), Brills, Orndorffs, Milhorns. Still further, we find the Russells, Richards, Richard, Beans, McIlwees, Coopers, Whites, Tur- ners; while towards the South are found the Vances, Kellars, Findlays, Himelrights, Orn- dorffs, Wilsons, Pifers, and many others; while to the North, on the East side of North Moun- tain are the Clowsers, Halls, Rameys, Cochrans, Kerns, Crabills, Larricks, Whissens, Spellmans, Ryans, Perrys, Wiggintons, Whetzels, Linaburgs, Lamps, Tevalts.


Many old pioneers have none to represent their name in the Valley.


The Richards Family


For many years there has been some confu- sion about this name. Some regarding this and the Richard family as the same. It will be seen from the following brief notice, they were dis- tinct, one family being altogether English, the other purely German.


The pioneer of the Richards family was John Richards, who located his grant for a large tract of land along upper Cedar Creek and its drains. This was in 1735. He proceeded to settle other families who followed the first Hite immigration. Such leases or deeds were recorded in Orange County. In 1744 he sold part of his patent tract to Benjamin Fry, an Englishman. John Richards was an Englishman. By his will in 1749, he devises his lands to the children of his deceased brother Peter. They were then living in England. A provision of his will was: "If one of Peter's sons come to this country, then he to have half the estate; in case of his death, then to his brother Henry and sister Hannah." In 1770 "Peter Richards, County of Devon, King- dom of Great Britain, Yeoman, Mary Richards of East Budleigh same county, and Alice wife of John Lee of Haspford same co., Yeoman, Jona- than R. of same county, and Henry Richards late of Philadelphia but now of Frederick County, Virginia, children of Peter Richards the elder


495


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES


brother of John late of Frederick County," exe- daughter survived her. This was Mary wife of cuted a power of attorney to John Lee to settle Dr. Godfrey S. Miller of Winchester. their affairs in America. Henry had been on the land and held one-half the estate as the will The Richard Family provided. On Lee's arrival, Henry sold a tract of land on Cedar Creek to John Lee. This was the ancestor of the John C. Lee family found in that section during the 19th Century. In 1778, Henry and Jane his wife and brother Jona- than of England, conveyed a tract of land to Jacob Huffman. In 1793, Henry by his will de- vised his property to his widow Jane, and to his sons John and Henry, and daughter Elees wife of John Shriver, Mary wife of Archibald Ham- ilton, Hannah wife of Frederick Cooper, and Ann his single daughter. His estate consisted of several tracts of land, mills and large family of slaves. We will not follow the lines of his married daughters. John died in 1860, 90 years of age, leaving three sons, Henry M., Moses and James M. Richards and several daughters.


The children of Henry M .; Mary C. Ginn, Henry G. and Lewis W. Richards received por- tions of the estate-$1,000 to James M. and the home farm to Moses after the death of his step- mother, Sarah Richards. Henry M. died in Winchester in 1861. He devised property to Henry M., Eva and Sally C., children by his second wife.


James M. Richards the other son, married twice, first, Miss Hollingsworth. By this mar- riage was born a son and daughter. His second wife was Margaret Fry, who was the mother of A. B. Richards, a prosperous farmer, and Comr. of Roads for Shawnee District for several terms. Mordecai another son is a farmer living in Frederick County. John and Morict are non- residents. A. B. Richards has a large family of sons and daughters. His farm was part of the Glass estate. His children are: Clara, L. Adolph. This son is a young man of rare promise. After taking his academic course, he graduated at the University of Virginia; he also took honors at Columbia College and Johns Hop- kins. He now has a classical school in Wash- ington, D. C. Emma E., mar. Charles Cooper, Sadie L., Harry A., Boyd R., Alva C., Augusta, Nelson and Roy reflect credit on the old family.


Henry Richards son of Henry who died in 1793 and brother of John, lived in the old neigh- borhood. He owned a large estate-land, mill and slaves. S. B. Sale owns the homestead at this writing. Henry died prior to the Civil War. His wife Lydia died at an advanced age. A son Col. James Richards lived and died in Front Royal, a man of culture and wealth. He was once Sheriff of Frederick County. His sister Harriet married Capt. George R. Long. One


This name was written many ways for sev- eral years. Being German, scribes differed as to the translation-Reichert, Richet, Rickart, finally adopting Richard, as written. The first appear- ance we have of this German name was in the early part of the 19th Century. This was Henry who settled near the North Mountain. He was an old man in 1833 when he made his will, which was not probated until 1847. This will is signed in German. He wills several tracts of land to his oldest son Joseph, including a lot of one- fourth acre at Pembroke Springs, together with his slaves, stills, blacksmith tools, etc., Joseph to pay legacies to his sister Sarah Frye, to brothers, Isaac, Henry, Jacob, Elijah and John. Several sons were then married. Jacob lived near the old home, and had sons Henry P., Joseph P., Isaac and Uriah. Their mother was Margaret Pifer. All are now dead. Henry P.'s children were Rev. Dr. Richard, Rev. Asa Rich- ard, a Lutheran Minister.


Rev. Asa has one son in the ministry.


Joseph P. Richard's first wife was Nancy C., daughter of Casper Rinker, Sr., mother of Wil- liam, Harvey A. and one sister. William lives near White Post. The sister moved West.


Harvey A. has been previously mentioned. Joseph P.'s second wife was Susan Larrick, she was the mother of Dr. J. A. Richards, dentist in Winchester, Mrs. Joseph Snapp, Wesley, J. Luther, Julius W.


Dr. Wm. H. Keffer who built the Pembroke Springs building, married Miss Richard. He was born in Woodstock 1830. He had two brothers John and Jacob, who went West; and two Addison and James lived in Frederick County. Dr. Keffer had several sons: John W., a Jus- tice in Back Creek District. James and brother live in West Virginia.


The Foreman Family


This name has sometimes been confounded with that of Froman. There is no occasion for this. The latter distinctly belongs to the Hite immigration; while the Foremans belong to a subsequent period, the name being found in Berkeley County in 1770. From this branch came John Foreman about 1820. He was em- ployed by Benjamin Keckley as an expert dis- tiller. Prior to the Civil War he operated his own stills in the Western part of Frederick County; and there reared a large family. His two sons Amos and Josiah reside in that section. Another son John removed to Cumberland.


496


CARTMELL'S HISTORY


Amos married a daughter of Edward Snapp, and raised a large family. The writer recalls with sincere gratitude valuable services rendered to him during the Civil War by Amos Fore- man.


The Barley Family


This was not a pioneer family; but the large family of men and women who lived near what is now Relief postoffice, deserve notice. Adam Barley who died in 1825 near Winchester, was the father of John, Margaret, Peter, Mary Har- riet, Louise, William and Adam. All are now dead. Adam left a large family. One of his sisters married Mr. Gordon, father of John P. Gordon, who has a large family of children. The Barleys were noted farmers.


The Pritchard Family


The writer has known several families of this name. They are distantly related. Some have been previously mentioned. One family lived near Kernstown for many years prior to the Civil War, extending back to the Revolutionary War period. Stephen Pritchard has been mentioned in connection with the Cartmell sketch. His father preceded him as a farmer in that sec- tion. A family of this name lived in Winches- ter during this period. Mr. Housen Pritchard who lives in the old stone house corner of Main and Cork Streets, is a descendant of the Win- ster branch. His single sister lives with him. Another sister is Mrs. Charles Ward, living near Stephens City. Housen has been mentioned in connection with the old Winchester News. He is a man of remarkable intelligence; has been in failing health for several years. He was an old Confederate soldier.


Another family of this name lived on South Main Street.


The Faulkner Family of Winchester


The first appearance of this family in Winches- ter was in 1836, when Isaac H. Faulkner estab- lished his business as manufacturer of ladies' shoes. This was satisfactory. He was a Mary- lander. The year following his arrival, he mar- ried a Miss Frederick. Mr. Faulkner had six sons, who became prominent citizens in Winches- ter since the Civil War, several of whom were Confederate soldiers. Of the brothers who re- mained in Winchester, were James F., Isaac H., Jr., Walter W., and Ollie F. Faulkner.


John W. the third son of Isaac H., Sr., located in Lynchburg since the War, and there con- ducted a large wholesale and retail drug business. Isaac H. and Ollie F. live in Winchester and have retired from business in comfortable cir- cumstances. One of their sisters became the


wife of Dr. Maynard, who died in Winchester about 1896.


The Kreemer Family


This is one of the old families found in busi- ness in Winchester in the early part of the 19th Century. The writer is unable to trace their line fully. Members of the family have failed up to this time to furnish details. We can recall the names of George Kreemer, whose home is on South Market Street. He was one of the town officers for many years. On South Main Street, lived another George Kreemer. He in- termarried with the Coburn family. Israel Co- burn and brother have been mentioned elsewhere as school-teachers, surveyors, etc. This George Kreemer was the father of James Kreemer. The other George was the father of Merton Kreemer and other children. John Kreemer had several sons who engaged in the grocery and supply business after the war, on the corner where the Evans Hotel now stands. They have since con- ducted a similar business at several other points. George has a meat store; Charles and Brothers have a large grocery on Main Street. John and Tom also conduct a grocery on South Main near Water St. Another member of the older generation, was Coonrod Kreemer the tailor.


The Burgess Family


This family, once prominent in business in Winchester, has become almost extinct in the Lower Valley. James H. Burgess once owned a farm on the East suburb of Winchester, now the property of the Harris Brothers. For many years he was identified with the Shenandoah Val- ley Agricultural Society. Mr. B. had two sons to enter the Confederate Army. Both were killed. One of his daughters was Miss Virginia Burgess, a teacher well-known in Winchester. Her sister was Mrs. Dr. Simms. Her daughter is Mrs. Calmes of Winchester.


Capt. James B. Burgess, who has been men- tioned elsewhere, was a son of James Burgess who built the octagon house on the N. W. Turnpike just East of the Town Spring.


The author finds he lacks space to pursue the line he had mapped out for this volume; and can do no more than barely mention a few names as they occur to him. Several families they represent, would otherwise receive fuller notice. Of this number, the numerous Carper families, of Carpers Valley, would fill a chapter ; likewise the Fords. Three well-known men of this name were prominent millers : Benjamin F., William and John T. All three left children. Capt. John Ford, of Co. C., 12th Cavalry, son of William, is now a resident of Winchester. John


497


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES


T.'s sons are promising young men. Luther is in the U. S. Railway Mail Service; Benjamin a farmer, and Cromwell in dairy and fruit business. One daughter is the wife of John Bacher, a lawyer in Norfolk; another married Calvin Kater, the nurseryman. The Carpenter family is now represented by Newton A., James H. and David Carpenter. They all have families. The Pelters were numerous at one time in the vicinity of Kernstown. One of the sons, John W., pur- chased a farm near Pughtown since the Civil War. He left several children; James Pelter being now the sole representative of the name in this section. His sister is Mrs. Robinson, of near Opecquon postoffice. In this connection, we will mention David Watson, whose wife was a sister of John W. Pelter. The Watsons of Southern part of Frederick, have been previously mentioned. Joseph and family live West of Middletown. Benjamin Watson his brother was a famous . scout, as the writer can personally testify. They were not brothers of David. The Deans came to Frederick County from Penna. early in the 19th Century. William and his large family settled near Kernstown, and were harness and saddle makers. He owned the prop- erty now occupied by his youngest son Henry- a brick house on West side of the Valley Turn- pike. This was once part of the old Pritchard and Hoge plantation. Adam Dean, one of Wil- liam's sons, married a Miss Kern, and lived in Newtown for many years. He now lives on his farm West of that place. His sons, A. W., M. K. and brother are well known. William Dean, Jr., lives in Youngstown, Ohio. His sis- ter is the widow of Thomas McCardell, and lives with her single brother Henry. The Gibson Brothers, well-known wagon makers of Stephens City, are descendants of pioneers. So also was the Marks family. James Lemley married Miss Barr. This family came from Penna. since the Civil War. The Barr brothers operated a steam flour mill near the Railroad station. The Mc- Leods have been mentioned elsewhere. B. T. Argenbright, another of Newtown's good me- chanics, may not be classed with the pioneers of Frederick, but it is well known that his ancestors were in the Valley at one time early in the 19th Century; and he may trace his line to them. The Painters West of Newtown belong to the 19th Century and own the property formerly occupied by Martin R. Kauffman until after the Civil War. Still to the West was Jonas Cham- berlain, one of the most successful farmers in that section. His son Charles was drowned in the Shenandoah River. The father had been ac- cidentally killed by his son. Mr. Chamberlain's only daughter married James B. Streit. In this neighborhood was the family of Thomas W.


Chapman, the blacksmith, who had the credit of shoeing horses for Stonewall Jackson, Ashby and the Cavalry command. Mr. C. had several sons : George W., Thomas, Jr., James W., and one other. Still West was James W. Ginn, on a large tract of land called Sunnyside. Mr. Ginn was a successful farmer; reared his large family on this place. He afterwards moved to Clarke County. His wife was a Miss Hardy. Charles, Samuel, Richard and Holmes were his sons. He had several daughters. Lucy married Mr. Ginn of Maryland. She was the mother of Mrs. Wm. H. Baker. Mrs. Ginn married for second hus- band Mr. Charles B. Meredith. One of Mr. James Ginn's sons-Samuel, married a sister of Amos Marker. Amos was the son of John Mar- ker, who belonged to one of the old families of the county. He was an old Confederate sol- dier, and has been deputy sheriff of the county. Harlan P. Tabb, who owns fine farms in the Opecquon neighborhood, came to Frederick from Hampshire County after the Civil War; he is a descendant of the large and influential family found in Berkeley County in the early days. He has three children: Edward, son by his first marriage, whose mother was a Miss Vandiver. His second wife was a Miss Manuel; she is the mother of his twin daughters, Madge and Molly. West of the Little North Mountain, lived sev- eral families the writer knew to be pioneers, which he intended to embody in a special sketch- Tilberry Goff and Nicholas Perry being of the number. They were 1812 soldiers. The former has one son T. F. Gough (so written by him) who lives on the homestead. He has a large family of sons and daughters. Mr. Perry died an old man many years ago, and left several sons and daughters, Elijah and John being of the number. Elijah left a large family. Several of his grown children moved to Martinsburg and are highly respected. While in this section, the writer will mention briefly a family which was very prominent at one time-Lewis V. Shearer, who owned and operated Mt. Vernon tannery. This was a notable place for many years prior to the Civil War. Mr. S. conducted a successful business. The leather vaults were often used as a rendezvous by Confederate scouts during the time when Milroy and Sheridan occupied the Lower Valley. There they could safely meet and mature plans for penetrating the Federal lines. Mr. Shearer was a true friend to the venture- some scouts. The writer bears testimony to this fact. His large family of sons and daughters, viz: Susan wife of John R. Hodgson, A. L. Shearer, the well-known business man of Win- chester who married Nina daughter of Wm. G. Kiger; Robert, now of Cumberland, George of California. Two of their sisters moved to


4


.


498


CARTMELL'S HISTORY


Charleston, West Va., with their father where he died several years ago. Mr. Shearer was an upright and useful man. During the prosperous days of the tannery, he had the benefit of the services of an expert tanner. This was A. L. Elosser, who spent 27 years at that point; and after the war conducted a tannery on the Rom- ney road, about 5 miles from Winchester. He is now an old man; makes his home in Win- chester with his daughter Mrs. Haines on Water Street. Mr. E. has a competency as the result of his energy and faithful service. He has one son L. H. W. Elosser, who is now a retired tanner, having accumulated ample means. We may add that the Mt. Vernon Tannery has been a thing of the past for thirty years or more. In this connection, Wm. G. Kiger has been men- tioned. He was one of the old firm of merchants in Winchester, known as Taylor, Kiger and See- vers. Mr. Kiger lived in the house known as Fort Loudoun during the Civil War. His daugh- ter Susie married Capt. J. C. Van Fossen. An- other daughter married and lived in Clarke County. Mr. James B. Taylor, of the firm, has one son living in Winchester; who has been city sergeant for several years. One of Mr. Taylor's daughters married Capt. Samuel Baker. One is the wife of Mr. Black, of Penna. Miss Annie, another daughter lives in Winchester. In this connection we may add that Capt. Ba- ker's second wife was Miss Maggie Heist. She was a daughter of Mr. Geo. Heist, who was identified with the W. & P. Railroad for at least thirty years. After the Civil War, he removed to Baltimore, and was a trusted office clerk for the B. &. O. R. R. until his death. Mr. Heist had two other daughters; one was the wife of Granville Harper, and the other is Miss Mamie Heist. Their brother is the well-known dentist Geo. K. Heist. His son George is also a dentist, whose sister is Miss Mae Heist.


The Conway Brothers, Nathan T. and Wil- liam G., are descendants of a pioneer family. Their father was Hugh Conway, who married a Miss Haines, of Berkeley County. He was one of the Forty-Niners, who went to California, and there died. His father was James Conway, who lived and died in Jefferson County. He owned the farm known now as the Charles B. Rouss farm. Hugh Conway lived at one time on Apple- pie Ridge on the farm known now as Mr. Green's large apple orchard farm. William G. his son was a member of Company H., 13th Va. Infty. Regt. Stonewall Brigade; was a merchant in Winchester for years. He is now Deputy County Treasurer. Nathan has always lived in Winchester. The Conways emigrated from Wales at an early day, and settled in Northern part of old Frederick. (There is no known con-


nection between them and the two railroad con- tractors, Michael and Timothy Conway.)


Mrs. Richard Sidwell is a sister of Nathan and William G. Conway. She now lives in Bal- timore with her daughter, and has attained the age of 85 years. Richard Sidwell was a son of Hugh Sidwell. His mother was a Miss Haines. He has two sisters living in Loudoun County,- Mrs. Philips and Miss Martha Sidwell.




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.