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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02269 5503
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofwestvir00lewi 0
563 319 History of West Virginia.
IN TWO PARTS.
BY
VIRGIL A. LEWIS,
CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
YUE & ALLE
OF
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"A moment, and the pageant's gone; The red men are no more; The pale-faced stranger stands alone Upon the river's shore."-Paulding.
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DRINKING GEORGE'S HEALTH ON THE ALLEGHANIES.
COPYRIGIIT, BY VIRGIL A. LEWIS, 1887.
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PREFACE.
IN thus presenting to the public the present volume the author disclaims any merit for it except that of ac- curacy. All he dares to assert is that he has brought to the task of its preparation an enthusiastic admiration for his subject-an admiration for the men who first dared the perils of the western wilds, and crossing the Rocky Barrier, reared their cabin homes amid the hills and vales of the solitudes of what is now West Vir- ginia-an admiration for these same men who, during the American Revolution, warred alike against the sav- age from the wilderness and the Briton from the sea- an admiration for their descendants who in later years laid a firm foundation and reared thereon the perfect and enduring Commonwealth. Throughout the work will be found hundreds of the names and many bio- graphical notices of these men-men from whom have descended a large proportion of the population of the State, now numbering nearly three-quarters of a million. The first inhabitants of West Virginia were as hardy
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PREFACE.
a race as ever braved the dangers of the wilderness. What the Heroic Age was to Greece, the Pioneer Age was to Virginia. Of the men who played their part in the conquest of the wilderness all have fallen by the hand of death, and many of them, whose merits de- served a temple, scarce found a tomb. Time has waged a merciless war upon the memorials of the pioneer age, and if the author has but been able to rescue from ob- livion a few of the names of the men who first planted the standard of civilization on the hills and in the val- leys of West Virginia, then he is satisfied.
POINT PLEASANT, W. VA.
V. A. L.
CONTENTS OF PART I.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
Discovery of America-The Continent first seen by White Men-The Northmen in America-European Nations engage in Trans- Atlantic Voyage and Discovery -- The Spanish, French and English partition the Continent-Attempts at Colonization-Raleigh's futile Attempt to establish a Colony on Roanoke Island
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CHAPTER II.
THE SETTLEMENT OF JAMESTOWN.
Important Events in the World's History-The London Company-The first Voyage made under its Auspices-First permanent English Settlement in America-The Beginning-The Government of the Colony-Captain John Smith-His Administration of the Government-His Captivity and Rescue by Pocahontas-Return of Newport-Smith's Explorations 25
CHAPTER III.
VIRGINIA UNDER THE SECOND CHARTER.
Lord Delaware-Alarm at Jamestown-New Settlements-Imbecility of Martin -Civil Dissension-Smith bids Adieu to Virginia-The Starving Time-James- town Abandoned-Sir Thomas Dale-Division of Property-Sir Thomas Gates, the Governor-Virginia under the Third Charter-Marriage of Rolfe and Pocahontas-Administration of Sir Thomas Yeardley-Establishment of Representative Government-First Mothers of Virginia-Introduction of African Slavery-A Liberal Constitution-The Massacre of March 22, 1622- Dissolution of the London Company-Virginia under Royal Government
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CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE SEA TO THE MOUNTAINS.
Tidewater Virginia-The Piedmont Region-March of Civilization to the West -Organization of the First Counties-Increase of the same-The Mountain Barrier-The Unknown Regions of the West-Colonel Alexander Spottswood -His Expedition over the Blue Ridge-The Knights of the Golden Horse- shoe-Virginia at the Close of the Seventeenth Century 50
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CHAPTER V.
EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
The Valley Region-John Van Matre, probably the first White Man that traversed the Beautiful Valley-The Land Warrant of John and Isaac Van Matre -- Their Claim purchased by Joist Hite-He and Others rear Cabin Homes near the present Site of Winchester -- Pioneer Settlers of the Lower Valley-The Northern Neck-Lord Fairfax-His Patents and Manors-John Salling and John Marlin Explore the Upper Valley-Salling a Prisoner among the Indians -His Return to Williamsburg-John Lewis, the Founder of Augusta County -- Grant to William Beverly and Others-" Beverly Manor"-Benjamin Bur- den -- Burden's Grant-His Colonists-The Scotch-Irish-Their Character- Organization of Augusta and Frederick Counties-View of the Valley in 1750 . 53
CHAPTER VI.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
The French in America-The Claims of the Two Nations to the Ohio Valley --- The Ohio Land Company-The Men Composing it-Its Grant for all the Lands lying between the Great Kanawha and Monongahela Rivers-Christo- pher Gist, its Agent and Explorer, sent to the Ohio River-The New Province of " Vandalia "-Other Land Companies-The French Expedition to the Ohio -They bury Leaden Plates at the Mouths of the Principal Tributaries-Notice of One deposited at the Mouth of the Great Kanawha-Governor Dinwiddie sends Washington with Dispatches to the French Commander-The English attempt the Erection of a Fort at the Forks of the Ohio-The French build Fort DuQuesne-Washington's March to the West-Erection and Surrender of Fort Necessity-General Braddock arrives in Virginia-His March into the Wilderness-His disastrous Defeat at the Battle of Monongahela-The Big Sandy Expedition of 1756-Campaign of General Forbes-France loses her Sovereignty in America 74
CHAPTER VII.
THE INDIAN TITLE TO THE TERRITORY NOW EMBRACED IN WEST VIRGINIA.
The Six Nations-The Tuscaroras-Treaty of Fort Stanwix-Indian Cession of Territory south of the Ohio-Deed of Cession-Other Tribes refuse to ratify the Same-The Mississippi Company 95
CHAPTER VIII.
THE WAR ON THE BORDER.
Pontiac's Conspiracy-Destruction of the Settlements in the Greenbrier Valley in 1763 -- Colonel Boquet's Treaty with the Indians -- Colonel George Crogan's Descent of the Ohio-Washington's Journey to the Ohio in 1770 . 105
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CHAPTER IX.
THE VIRGINIA ARMY IN THE OHIO VALLEY.
Dunmore's War-English Folly-Murder of Logan's Family-Building of Fort Henry-Expedition of Colonel Angus McDonald-Destruction of the Wakato- mika Towns-The Virginia Army-General Andrew Lewis' March to the West-Dunmore reaches the Ohio-He builds Fort Gower-Battle of Point Pleasant-Erection of Fort Randolph-The Divisions Reunited-Return of the Army
CHAPTER X. 113
WEST VIRGINIA DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
West Virginia at the Beginning of the War-The Quebec Act -- Colonial Con- vention of 1775-West Virginians in the Continental Army-Tory Insurrection within the Limits of the State 136
CHAPTER XI.
MILITARY OPERATIONS ON THE BORDER FROM 1777 TO 1795.
West Virginia at the Close of the Revolution-Western outposts of Civilization- Forts, Stockades and Block-houses-The Indians besiege Fort Henry-Murder of Cornstalk at Point Pleasant-Attempt to punish his Murderers-Military Movements in the Ohio Valley-Expedition of General McIntosh, with Bio- graphical Notice-Fatal Ambuscade at Point Pleasant-Siege of Fort Ran- dolph-General Clark's Illinois Campaign-Expedition of Colonel Daniel Brodhead-Colonel David Williamson's March to the West and Murder of the Moravian Indians-Colonel William Crawford's Expedition and his terrible Fate-Campaign of General Harmar-St. Clair's Defeat-Battle of Fallen Timbers-Wayne's Treaty with the Indians 148
CHAPTER XII.
BOUNDARY BETWEEN WEST VIRGINIA AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Western Limits of Virginia as first defined-Charter of Maryland-Penn's Grant -Its Western Limit-Dispute between West Virginia and Pennsylvania re- garding the Same-Dividing Line between Maryland and Pennsylvania-Com- missioners appointed to determine the Same-Mason and Dixon's Line-Its Western Extension-Slow Progress of the Same-Virginia's Protest-Her Constitutional Concession in 1776-Commissioners of Virginia and Pennsyl- vania continue Mason and Dixon's Line-Southwest Corner of Pennsylvania determined and marked-Origin of the Northern Panhandle 194
CHAPTER XIII.
CESSION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Virginia's Deed of Cession-The Conditions of the Same recited-Extended Preamble-Agents on the part of Virginia who signed the Deed-Thomas Hutchins, Geographer of the United States-First Surveys north of the Ohio-
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The Ordinance of 1787-Virginia's Military Lands West of the Ohio-The Ohio Company of Associates-Founding of Marietta, the oldest Town in Ohio
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CHAPTER XIV.
WEST VIRGINIANS IN THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION OF 1788, WHICH RATIFIED THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
Meeting of the Convention-Counties then existing within the present Limits ¿of West Virginia-Delegates from the Same-General William Darke-Gene- ral Adam Stephens-Colonel John Stuart -- Captain George Clendenin, the Founder of Charleston-Ebenezer Zane, the Founder of Wheeling 215
CHAPTER XV.
THE WEST VIRGINIA PIONEERS.
The Pioneers-Their Code of Morals-Themselves and their Sons in the War of 1812-Descendants in the Mexican War-Soldiers from what is now West Virginia, enlisted under the " Ten Regiment Act "-Roll of the Same . 223
CHAPTER XVI.
INTRODUCTION OF STEAM NAVIGATION ON WEST VIRGINIA WATERS.
Nicholas Roosevelt sent by Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton to survey the Ohio-Building of the First Steamer at Pittsburg-Prophetic View of Steam Navigation on the Western Waters-The Steamer "New Orleans," the first on the Ohio-Her experimental Voyage-Arrival at New Orleans-First Steamboat on the Great Kanawha-First to reach Charleston -- First to reach Morgantown-First that reached Elizabeth on the Little Kanawha-Second to reach the same Place 229
CHAPTER XVII.
THE BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN MARYLAND AND WEST VIRGINIA.
The Claim of Maryland to a Portion of Virginia-Its Revival in IS32-Governor Floyd appoints Charles J. Faulkner a Commissioner on the Part of Virginia- His Historical Research-His Report in Full-Historical Value of the Same
234
CHAPTER XVIII.
WEST VIRGINIA'S CLAIM TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE OHIO RIVER.
West Virginia now occupying the Position of Virginia-Ohio and Virginia ate tempt to settle the disputed Question-Commissioners appointed on the Part of each State-Their Meeting at the National Capital-Their Failure to agree -Hon. George W. Thompson's Investigation relative to the Subject-Text of his Report-Historical Review-Legal Deductions . 256
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CHAPTER XIX.
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INSURRECTION AT HARPER'S FERRY.
The Location-Gathering of John Brown and his Confederates-The Armory and Arsenal in possession of the Insurgents-Arrival of the Military-The Attack and Capture -- Loss of Life on either Side-The Trial and Conviction -Execution of the Sentence . . 30'
CHAPTER XX.
CONSTITUTIONS OF VIRGINIA.
The Constitution of 1776-The Property Qualification of the Right of Suffrage- Unequal Taxation and Representation-Opposition between the East and the West-Conflicting Interests of the two Sections-Constitutional Convention of 1829-30-Failure of the West to secure a Redress of Grievances-The Vote upon the Constitution in the Trans-Allegheny Counties-Increased Opposition between the two Sections-The Question of the Expediency of a Division of the State-The Constitutional Convention of 1850-51-The Delegates from the Western Counties-Civil War the Opportunity for securing a Division of the State .
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CHAPTER XXI.
VIRGINIA'S ORDINANCE OF SECESSION.
Expression of Public Sentiment regarding Secession-The Act of the Assembly providing for a Convention-Joint Resolution of the same Body-Election of Delegates to the Convention-Meeting of the Same-Members from that Por- tion of the State now composing West Virginia-Action indicating final Result-Passage of the Ordinance of Secession-Enthusiasm in the East- Western Delegates escape from Richmond-Their Arrival at Home-Deter- mined Opposition in the West-Action taken at Wheeling-Proceedings in Brooke County-Committee sent to Washington to secure Arms-Expression of Public Sentiment in the Western Counties-The Clarksburg Convention
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CHAPTER XXII.
THE FIRST WHEELING CONVENTION.
Virginia's Military Force placed under the Direction of the President of the Con- federate States-Meeting of the Citizens in Berkeley County-Convention con- vened in Washington Hall, Wheeling-The Men composing It-Organization of the Body-Committees appointed-The Members divided on the Question of the Formation of a new State-Work of the Convention-Adjournment
346
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE SECOND WHEELING CONVENTION-THE REORGANIZED GOVERNMENT. The Vote on the Ordinance of Secession-Election of Delegates-Members of the General Assembly admitted to Seats-Meeting of the Body-Roll of Mem-
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bers-Organization-The Committee on Order of Business-It reports "A Declaration of the People of Virginia "-An Ordinance for the Reorganization of the State Government-State Officers chosen-Adjournment-Meeting of the General Assembly under the Restored Government 356
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE NEW STATE OF KANAWHA.
A Government without Money-Governor Pierpont borrows on the Credit of his own private Fortune-Military Seizure of the State Funds deposited in the Exchange Bank of Weston-Money due Virginia from the National Govern- ment collected-Re-assembling of the Convention August 6th-The Action of the Richmond Convention declared Null and Void-Ordinance providing for the Formation of a new State-Vote upon the Same-Delegates to a Constitu- tional Convention elected 369
CHAPTER XXV.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Meeting of the Body-Its Organization-Roll of Members-Proposed Name of the State changed from " Kanawha " to " West Virginia"-The Subject of Slavery-The " Battelle Resolution "-The Same rejected by the Convention -Report of John A. Dille-The Constitution referred to the People-Its Ratification-Informal Vote upon the Second of the Battelle Resolutions 376
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE STATE ADMITTED INTO THE UNION.
Act of Assembly granting Permission to form a new State within the Limits of Virginia -- Commissioners to bring the Subject before Congress-The Arrival at Washington-The Work of the other West Virginians at the National Capital -The Subject presented in the Senate-Referred to the Committee on Terri- tories --- The Bill prepared by John S. Carlisle and reported by the Committee- Carlisle's Opposition to the Measure-The " Willey Amendment " Bill of Hon. William G. Brown-The Senate passes the Bill-Its Friends and Enemies in that Body-Postponement in the House-Its final Passage by the Same-Approved by the President-The Constitution referred back to the Con- vention-Again ratified by the People -- The President's Proclamation 38I
CHAPTER XXVII. .
ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW STATE GOVERNMENT.
State and County Officers elected-Inauguration of the Same-The Reorganized Government moved to Alexandria and thence to Richmond -- Its Character- How West Virginia obtained Jurisdiction over Berkeley and Jefferson Counties -Legislative and Judicial Proceedings relative to the Same-Boundaries of the State and Area thereof 393
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
MILITARY OPERATIONS WITHIN THE STATE.
First Federal Troops in Western Virginia-First Virginia Federal Infantry-First Engagement within the Limits of the State-Battle of Falling Waters-En- gagement at Rich Mountain-Confederates defeated at Carrick's Ford and Death of General Garnett-Engagement at Barboursville-General Wise in the Great Kanawha Valley-"Engagement at Scarey Creek-Surprise at Kennedy's Hill and Death of Major Hall-Skirmish at Pore's Hill-Battle at Carnifex' Ferry-Surprise at High Log Run-Firing upon the Town of Elizabeth-En- gagement at Traveler's Repose or "Camp Barteau "-Battle of Camp Alle- gheny -- Burning of Guyandotte-Running Fight near Barboursville-Battle of Lewisburg- Surrender at Spencer-General. Miles' Surrender at Harper's Ferry-Lightburn's Retreat from the Great Kanawha Valley-Capture of General Scammon and Staff-Burning of the Steamer " B. C. Levi"-Engage- ment at Hurricane Bridge-Attack on Steamer " Victress "-Action at Point Pleasant-Skirmish at Tuckwiler's Hill -- General Jones burns the Oil at Burn- ing Springs-Battle of Dry Creek or White Sulphur Springs-Skirmish at Sugar Tree Creek2-Battle of Droop Mountain-Ambuscade at Curry's Farm --- Skirmish at Racoon Creek-Engagement at Winfield and Death of Colonel Thurman-Official Statement of the Number of Men from West Virginia in the National Service-Estimate of the Number from the State that entered the Con- federate Service
CHAPTER XXIX. 402
THE STATE UNDER THE FIRST CONSTITUTION.
The First Session of the Legislature-Roll of Members of the Same-Election of First United States Senators-Counties without Sheriffs or other Revenue Col- lectors-Committee on State Seals-First Congressional Districts-Congratu- latory Resolution relating to Citizens of East Tennessee-Rolls of Members of each Legislature from 1863 to 1872 inclusive-Contested Seats in each Branch -Virginia's Proposition to reunite the two States-West Virginia's Rejection of the Same-Second Election of United States Senators-The Constitutional Convention of 1872-Roll of Members composing it-The Second Constitution -Important Changes in the Organic Law of the State 424
CHAPTER XXX.
THE STATE UNDER THE SECOND CONSTITUTION."
First Session of the Legislature under the New Constitution-Allen T. Caperton elected to the United States Senate-Samuel Price appointed by Governor Jacob to fill the Vacancy caused by the Death of Senator Caperton-Election of Frank Hereford and Henry G. Davis to the United States Senate-Johnson N. Camden chosen as the Successor of Frank Hereford-John E. Kenna suc- ceeds Henry G. Davis-Senatorial Contest of 1887 . 454
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CONTENTS OF PART II.
COUNTY DEPARTMENT.
Date of Formation-For whom named or why so called-Date of Legal Estab lishment of Towns with Names of First Trustees and Date of Incorporation- Pioneer Recollections and Historic Events of each of the Fifty-four Counties of the State
481
NAME.
WHEN FORMED.
PAGE.
Hampshire
1754
486
Berkeley
1772
.494
Monongalia
1776 .506
Ohio
1776 .514
Greenbrier
1777
.520
Harrison
1784
543
Hardy
1786
555
Randolph
1787
560
Pendleton
1788
565
Kanawha
1789
570
Brooke.
1797
578
Wood
1799
585
Monroe
1799
594
Jefferson
1801
613
Mason
1804
.616
Cabell
1809
626
Tyler
1814
633
Lewis
1816
636
Nicholas
1818
641
Preston
1818
642
Morgan.
1820
644
Pocahontas.
1821
646
Logan
1824
656
Jackson.
1831
657
Fayette
1831
662
Marshall
1835
664
Braxton
1836
673
Mercer
1837
675
Marion
1842
675
Wayne
1842
677
Barbour
IS43
683
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NAME.
WHEN FORMED. PAGE.
Ritchie
1843
683
Taylor
1844
684
Doddridge
1845
685
Gilmer
1845
686
Wetzel
1846
68
Boone
1847
687
Putnam
1848
. 689
Wirt .
1848
697
Hancock
1848
701
Raleigh
1850
708
Wyoming
1850
713
Pleasants
1851
719
Upshur.
1851
719
Calhoun
1855
720
Clay
1856
724
Roane.
1856
725
Tucker
1856
727
McDowell
1858
728
Webster.
1860
729
Grant.
1866
729
Mineral
1866
730
Lincoln
1867
730
Summers
1871
733
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
DRINKING GEORGE'S HEALTH ON THE ALLEGHANIES, Frontispiece ALEXANDER SPOTTSWOOD, 55
GENERAL BRADDOCK, . 85
GENERAL BRADDOCK MORTALLY WOUNDED, 89
BATTLE OF POINT PLEASANT,
125
FORT HENRY, WHEELING, 1777, . 153
M'COLLOCH'S LEAP,
165
PIONEER HOME ON GREENBRIER RIVER, 227
VIEWS OF HARPER'S FERRY, 309
JOHN BROWN SUPPORTING HIS DYING SON, 313
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, 409 MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE CROOK, 419
GENERAL THOMAS J. JACKSON, 555
SEYBERT'S FORT, . 567
THE BLENNERHASSET MANSION,
589
PIONEERS CLEARING LAND IN THE BIG SANDY VALLEY,
717
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PART I.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
Discovery of America-The Continent First Seen by White Men-The North- men in America-European Nations Engage in trans-Atlantic Voyage and Discovery-The Spanish, French and English Partition the Continent-At- tempts at Colonization -Raleigh's Futile Attempt to Establish a Colony on Roanoke Island.
IN the study of the history of a commonwealth it is necessary that we understand something of the causes which have acted in producing and advancing, or re- tarding and destroying, the various institutions, civil and otherwise, of that particular commonwealth. Then, that we may intelligently study the history of West Virginia -- " The Little Mountain State," the " Daughter of the Old Dominion," born amid the throes of civil war-it is important that we study the causes which led to its settlement and organization as a State.
That the continent was seen by white men, as early as the tenth century, there can no longer remain a doubt. The examination made by recent historians, of Icelandic records and documents preserved in the archives of the Antiquarian Society of Copenhagen, put at rest the long-doubted claim, that the Northmen were the first European discoverers of America. Even so great an authority as Humboldt, after having examined these records, says: "The discovery
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'HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
of the northern part of America by the Northmen cannot be disputed."
A Norse navigator, in the year 986, A. D., while sailing in the Greenland sea, was overtaken by a storm and driven westward to the coast of Labrador. Several times the shore was sighted but no landing was attempted. The coast was so different from the well-known shore of Greenland, that it was certain that an unknown land was in sight. Returning home, Herjulfson, the commander, and his companions told strange stories of the new land seen in the west.
In the year 1001 the actual discovery of the con- tinent was made by Leif Erickson, who sailed west from Greenland and landed on the coast of America in .41° 15' north latitude. It was the spring of the year, and from the luxuriant vegetation that every- where adorned the coast, the Northmen named it Vinland-the land of vines. These adventurers on the deep continued to frequent these shores during the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries; it was as late as 1347 that they made their last voyage to Labrador.
From these voyages and discoveries nothing what- ever resulted. The Northmen themselves forgot the very name of Vinland. The nations of southern Europe never heard of such a land or such a dis- covery. He that was to announce to these nations the existence of a Western Continent was to come from the classic land of Italy, and the sunny land of Spain, the country under whose auspices the discovery was to be made. The year was 1492, and Christopher Columbus was the name of him whose discoveries, considered in all their bearings upon human history,
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HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
are the grandest recorded in the annals of the world. His name is one around which will gather the wreaths of imperishable fame.
No sooner had the existence of a trans-Atlantic continent been made known to Europe than all na- tions from Scandinavia to the Straits of Gibraltar became frenzied with excitement. A new world, as it were, was to be added to the old. Monarchs, dis- coverers and adventurers at once rushed forward in quest of an "El Dorado" to be found somewhere be- yond the western seas.
Spain prepared for the conquest of her newly ac- quired possessions, and by a series of splendid triumphs in the south the civilization of the Incas and Montezumas perished from the earth. France was not slow to profit by the discoveries of Columbus. Far away, hundreds of miles toward the Arctic Circle, she took possession of the country lying along the St. Lawrence and around Lake Champlain, and hastened to plant colonies in the same. Between the Spanish possessions on the south and those of France on the north lay a territory extending from the 34th to the 66th parallel of north latitude, and stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific. England laid claim to all this region, and based her claim upon the discoveries of John and Sebastian Cabot, who were the first to explore the eastern coast of America, they having sailed from Labrador to the capes of Virginia as early as 1498. Nearly one hundred years had passed away since the discovery, and no white man had found a home in all this vast domain. From the Everglades of Florida to the pine-clad hills of Nova Scotia no daring adventurer had planted the standard of civili-
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HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
zation on these shores. But now an effort was to be made. It was the year 1583 when a young nobleman, whose life and tragic death were to become familiar to every student of English history, first appeared at the Court of St. James. This was none other than Sir Walter Raleigh, an English soldier, who had taken part in the French Protestant wars, and who now ap- peared at the British capital to make application for assistance in fitting out an expedition for the purpose of planting a colony in North America. He hoped thus to prevent the Spanish monarchy and the equally intolerant French court from gaining possession of the entire continent to the exclusion of England and her interests. Queen Elizabeth was then on the English throne. Raleigh was young, rich, and fascinating in his address. He soon became a great favorite of the maiden queen, and she gave him a commission making him lord of all the continent of North America lying between Florida and Canada.
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