USA > West Virginia > Randolph County > A history of Randolph County, West Virginia, from its earliest exploration and settlement to the present time > Part 2
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
As a rule the settlements were free from Indian molesta- tion during the months of winter, for the reason that they could be followed by their tracks, as well as from the fact that their scant clothing was not sufficient for the rigors of such a trip through the mountains. However, whether they followed White or came on an independent mission of mas- sacre and plunder, a party of about twenty Indians approach- ed to within about twenty miles of the settlements in Noven- ber. A snow had fallen and they waited until December 15th. When it disappeared on that date, they attacked Darby Con- noly's house in the upper valley, and having killed him, his wife and several of his children, they took the others prison- ers. The graves of the Connoly family are still to be seen on the farm once owned by Harmon Conrad, on which there was a salt well drilled at one time. They next visited the house of John Stewart, and killed him, his wife and his child,
22
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
carrying away his sister-in-law, Miss Hamilton, as a prisoner. John Hadden discovered the murder of the Stewart family and reported the fact to Colonel Benjamin Wilson at Wilson's Fort. Wilson's Fort was situated about thirty miles down the river. Colonel Wilson was an officer in the Revolutionary army. With thirty men Colonel Wilson followed the men five days through the rain and snow, often wading ice cold streams waist deep, but the Indians could not be overtakenl. The settlers were not molested in 1778. But the next year the Indians shot and killed Lieutenant John White from the road- side. Colonel Benjamin Wilson with a party of men tried to intercept the Indians on their Westward return at the mouth of Sand Fork on the Little Kanawha, but the Indians re- turned by a different route.
Early in March, 1780, Jacob Warwick and others from Greenbrier county visited Randolph as Government surveyors. Kilbuck was scouting the mountains at the time with bands of Mingoes and Shawnees. Mr. Warwick and his company felt themselves in comparative safety on account of the snow, which would betray the Indians' tracks to the settlers. While the Greenbrier party was at Haddan's Fort, Thomas Lackey reported that he had seen moccasin tracks in the snow a few miles above the fort, and heard a voice say in an undertone, "Let him alone; he will go and bring more." An escort of men went with the Greenbrier party to the place where Lackey saw the Indian signs. When near the place Andrew Sitlington's horse showed signs of fright. Mr. Sitlington then saw the Indians, but for the moment could not speak from fright. Warrick's attention was attracted and he cried out, "Indians! INDIANS !! " Thereupon the Indians fired, wounding one member of the party and Mr. Warwick's horse. The horse sank to the ground and the rider was in the act of throwing off his cloak to facilitate his escape when the horse arose and started off at a rapid speed and away from their assailants. Jacob Warwick, James McLean, Thomas Cartwill and Andrew Sitlington comprised the party on horse back, all of whom escaped. John McLean, James Ralston and John Nelson were killed. This occurred on Windy Run. John McLean was killed about thirty yards from the brow of
23
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
the hill. James Ralston was killed while ascending the hill. James Crouch was wounded near the summit of the hill, but escaped and recovered. John Nelson attempted to escape down the river, but was met by a stout warrior and after a severe struggle was killed. But the shattered gun stock, the uptorn earth and Indian hair still in his clinched fist gave evi- dence that he had fought bravely. Mr. Warwick's horse re- ceived only a slight wound in the thigh and carried him to his home in Greenbrier County the same day. The Indians occupied the road above and below where they were attacked, those on horseback were enabled to out-distance the Indians, but the foot men were compelled to cross the river and ascend a steep bluff on its opposite side. In attempting this several lost their lives.
Soon after this a family by the name of Gibson was at- tacked at their sugar camp, on a branch of the Valley River. They were made prisoners and the return trip to the country west of the Ohio with their captives was undertaken. Mrs. Gibson, being incapable of undergoing the fatigue of the trip, was tomahawked and scalped in the presence of her children. The other members of the family were carried into captivity and were never heard of afterward.
In April 1781, Indians attacked a party of five men who were returning to the present county of Tucker, from Clarks- burg, where they had been to obtain deeds for their lands. John Minear, David Cameron, and a Mr. Cooper were killed. Messrs. Miller and Goff escaped, one returning to Clarks- burg, the other to St. George. The Indians continued their course toward Cheat, but meeting Stephen Radcliff and James Brown, whom they could neither kill nor capture, and no longer believing that they could surprise the Cheat River settlements, changed their course and passed over to Leading Creek, and nearly destroyed the entire settlement. They killed Alexander Rooney, Mrs. Dougherty, Mrs. Hornbeck and her children as well as many others and made prisoners of Mrs. Alexander Rooney and her son, and Daniel Dough- erty. Johnathan Buffington and Benjamin Hornbeck succeed- ed in escaping. Mr. Hornbeck lived about a quarter of a mile east of where White Station now stands, on the north bank
24
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
of Stalnaker Run. The remains of the chimney of Horn- beck's cabin is still visible on the farm of Obadiah Taylor. It seems that the Hornbeck family had some intimation of the presence of the Indians in the community and had left the house and were in the woods on the hill nearby. The Indians visited and plundered the house and were in the act of leaving, when the whereabouts of the family was betrayed by the barking of a dog that was with them. Mr. Hornbeck, fearing to approach his house, mounted a horse in the field without saddle or bridle and rode hurriedly to Wilson's Fort, six miles up the valley. Colonel Wilson raised a company and pursued the Indians, but the men becoming alarmed lest their families be murdered in their absence, returned without over- taking the savages. In the meantime word had reached Clarksburg of the murder of land claimants on their return home and a number of scouts were sent out to intercept the Indians on their return to the Ohio. Their trail was discov- ered on the West Fork River, near Isaac Creek, in the present county of Harrison. Colonel William Lowther of Hacker's Creek, raised a company to pursue them. They were over- taken on a branch of Hughes River, in Ritchie County in the evening. They waited until the Indians were asleep and then opened fire. Five were killed, the others escaped, leaving everything in camp, except one gun. One white man, a prisoner, was killed. He was the son of Alexander Rooney and his sad fate was much regretted by the whites, who had been very cautious in trying to prevent such an accident. Withers relates the following amusing incident in connection with the affair: "Daniel Daugherty, an Irishman, came near being killed by the whites. The Indians had him tied down and he was so cold he could scarcely speak. Colonel Low- ther's party rushed forward after the first fire, and mistaking Daugherty for a wounded Indian, they were about to dis- patch him with a tomahawk, when fear loosened his tongue and he exclaimed, 'Lord Jasus! and am Oi to be killed by white people at last!' His life was saved. Mrs. Rooney was overcome with the prospect of deliverance. She ran toward the men saying. 'I'm Ellick Rooney's wife of the Valley ! and a pretty little woman too, if well dressed!" She was not aware that her son had been killed.
25
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
On this raid the Indians killed James Wilmoth. The Wil- moth's were at Wilson's Fort, either in anticipation of an Indian raid or as a result of the recent one on Leading Creek. James Wilmoth, leaving the other members of the family at the fort returned to his home on Cheat to attend to some skins he had in process of tanning. The barking of a dog which was with him betrayed him to the Indians and he was shot and killed, near where the Stone House now stands. Some of the Indians were afflicted with small pox and jumped into the ice cold water of Wilmoth's Millrace for relief. They died from the exposure.
A band of from twenty to thirty Indians visited the valley in the summer of 1782. They were led by a renegade white man by the name of Timothy Dorman. John Bush and his wife, Jacob Stalnaker and his son, Adam, were ambushed on the old road, as they were crossing a drain, on the old Hoy McLean place, about a mile south of Arnold station. Young Stalnaker was shot from his horse and killed, but his father, and Bush and his wife escaped. The fleeing party had a close race with the Indians to the river, being so near some times as to try and reach the bridle reins. The whites plunged into the river and the Indians abandoned pursuit. The Indians were followed by the aroused settlers. When near the crest of Rich Mountain, at a point which afterward became the scene of the Rich Mountain battle, the Indians were over- taken. When just east of the top of the mountain as an Indian stooped to drink from a spring, he was shot and killed by a man by the name of Morgan. The other savages escaped and were pursued no farther.
The Indians made their last hostile raid into the valley on May 11, 1781. Two or three families, as a measure of pro- tection, lived with Joseph Kinnan, whose cabin was one mile above the mouth of Elkwater on the west side of the river on the land that afterward became the Adam See farm. Haddan's Fort was less than a mile down the river. The Indians ap- proached the house a little after dark and finding the door open, walked in. Mr. Kinnan was sitting on the bed and the Indian extended his hand in a friendly manner saying, "How-
26
.
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
d-do, how-d-do?" Mr. Kinnan was in the act of extending his hand when an Indian in the yard shot him dead. A young man by the name of Ralston, who had been working in the house with a drawing-knife, struck an Indian with it and cut off his nose. Another Indian fired at Ralston, but missed and the young man escaped. The Indians killed three of Kinnan's children, but two others, Lewis and Joseph, escaped with the assistance of Mrs. Ward, through a rear window. Mr. Kinnan's brother, Lewis, was sleeping in a rear room and escaped through the window. Mrs. Kinnan was taken prison- er and remained with the Indians several months in the western country until General Wayne conquered the Indians at the battle of Fallen Timbers. Andrew and Joseph Crouch living a few miles below on the river, were notified next day. They took their families to the home of James Warwick who lived near where the Brick Church was built in later years, and with some neighbors hurried to the rescue of the settlers up the valley. While they were absent the Indians visited the Warwick home where there were three white women, several children and a colored man and his wife. An Indian climbed to the roof of one of the buildings after nightfall and set it on fire. The colored man put the fire out. Then the stable was fired. The colored man went out and seeing an Indian by the light of the burning building, shot at him and let the horses out and returned in safety to the fort. When the barn burned down and darkness returned the colored woman left the fort and gave the alarm to the settlers down the river. Next day the inmates of the fort were rescued. This party also proceeded to the scene of the Kinnan massacre and buried Mr. Kinnan and his children. The settlers be- lieved that the Indians had withdrawn from the valley. How- ever, they were lurking in the community and before leaving killed Frank Riffle and William Currence and burned two houses belonging to James Lackey. Riffle and Currence were killed on the divide between Becca's Creek and Riffle's Creek, near the later location of the Brick Church.
An inventory of the Joseph Kinnan estate was placed on record in Randolph County Clerk's Office, June 21, 1793 with Edward Hart as administrator. The personal property
27
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
was valued at $517, a list of which is given below: "9 horses, wheat and rye, two curtains, 2 pairs pillows and cases, 1 towel, 1 fine shirt, 1 lawn apron, 1 black apron, 1 cambrick apron, fine trumpery, 1 silk-gause apron, 2 handkerchiefs, children's clothing, 1 coat, 1 jacket, 5 long gowns, 1 pair of shoes and silver buckles, 3 petty-coats, 2 check aprons, 4 short gowns, 2 beds and bed-clothing, 1 pair of pockets, + platters, 6 basins, 2 plates, 2 kegs, 1 pail, 1 pot tramble, 1 iron kettle, 2 scythes, 1 set of hangings, 1 gun, 1 pan, 2 bridles, 36 hogs, 16 cattle, 3 sheep, 1 grubbing hoe, two pairs plow irons and clevices, 2 pots, 1 jug, 1 candlestick, 2 flat irons. 1 pair of shears, 9 spoons, steelyards, 1 brush, 2 collars, 1 ax."
Tradition says that the Indians twice visited the Wil- moth settlement on Cheat. On one incursion they killed James Wilmoth and on another raid all were absent from the house except Mrs. Wilmoth. They searched the house and premises for the men, occasionally throwing their toma- hawks into the logs of the cabin, at the same time giving vent to savage exclamations of threat and anger, as much as to say what they would do if the men could be found. In the mean- time Mrs. Wilmoth had prepared a pot of corn meal mush, putting it in a sugar trough with milk and maple syrup, giving each Indian a spoon. The half famished savages par- took of the repast with evident signs of delight and gratifica- tion. When one of the company would violate a rule of Indian table etiquette. he was punished by a stroke on the head with a spoon, accompanied by words of admonition with violent gesticulations, not to repeat the indecorum. After finishing their meal, the Indains fastened their eyes on Mrs. Wilmoth in a studious and penetrating gaze for several moments, evi- dently debating in their own minds what should be her fate, then giving a warwhoop they continued on their marauding expedition. Mrs. Wilmoth's diplomacy saved her life and established the fact that things more material and prosaic than music hath charms to soothe the savage breast.
The family of William Leavitt, who settled, in 1780, on the lands now owned by Drs. J. L. and Perry Bosworth, two miles north of Daily Station, was attacked by the Indians and the entire family, father, mother, and several children
28
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
were tomahawked and scalped. The mother, though left for dead, revived, was rescued by her neighbors and completely recovered. The dead were enshrouded in deer skins and buried at the Currence graveyard, on the lands now owned by John D. Weese. The date of the tragedy is uncertain, but it was subsequent to 1780.
Then Indians at another time visited that community. The date is not definite, but the facts are direct from the lips of Isaac White, who was a member of the party, to persons now living. The cabin in this incident was situated near where the Troutwine Run crosses the county road on the Bosworth farm. The men were harvesting in the field in the bottom below. The community was apprehensive and several families were congregated at the cabin. The women usually accompanied the men to the field but on this particular day had remained at the cabin for a few minutes to attend to household duties following the mid-day meal. The Indians, who were lurking near by, thought the time opportune for an attack, but as they approached the house they were dis- covered by the women. Realizing that their lives depended upon reaching the men in the field. they took to flight and in crossing the fence to the field, raised their hands above their heads and shouted, "Indians!" The hand of one of the women was piereced by a bullet, as a result of a volley from the Indians. All others escaped injury. The men seized their rifles and started in pursuit. The savages fled to the adjacent forests and soon eluded their pursuers.
The Murder of the Bozart Family.
In the summer of 1795 the trail of a large party of Indians was discovered. leading toward the settlements on West Fork of the Monongahela. Tygarts Valley or on the Buckhannon, near where the town of Buckhannon is now situated. The trail was discovered in what is now Lewis County. Messeng- ers were sent immediately to these settlements warning them of possible danger. John Bozart lived on the Buckhannon River, near the present town of Buckhannon, but at the time of the massacre of his family in 1795, the Buckhannon settle- ment was within the territory of Randolph.
29
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Mr. Bozart and his two sons, John and George, were en- gaged in hauling grain to the barn near the house. They were alarmed by the shrieks of the family at the house and hasten- ed to ascertain the cause. George approached the house a few paces in advance of his father, but the latter saw an Indian raise his gun to shoot the son, and shouted, "SEE George, an Indian is going to shoot you." The young man was too near the Indian to escape by flight, but watched close- ly the movements of the Indian and when he pressed the trigger young Bozart fell. The ruse was a success and the Indian, believing the young man dead passed on in pursuit of the father. The old gentleman proved a good runner and was leaving the Indian, when the savage in despair threw his tomahawk at him which passed harmlessly by and he made his escape. When George Bozart fell, as though dead, he lay upon the ground expecting to be scalped, determined to seize the Indian by the leg as he would bend over him and en- deavor to bring his antagonist to the ground, where he hoped to successfully grapple with him. The Indian passing him in pursuit of his father, the young man arose and fled. He overtook a younger brother hobbling along on a sore foot. George gave him every assistance he could until he observed another savage closely pursuing them. Although much ad- verse to leaving his brother, he knew that remaining with him meant death to both. Taking to rapid flight, he soon came up with his father in the woods. Mr. Bozart, believing that his son was dead and hearing some one approaching, supposed he was being pursued by an Indian and seizing a heavy stick, turned to face his antagonist. He was greatly surprised to see his son and exclaimed, "WHY GEORGE, I thought you were dead." In his mistake he evinced a joy- ful moment in an awful tragedy ..
At the house two or three children were massacred and Mrs. Bozart and two boys were spared and taken to the Indian towns west of the Ohio. They were surrendered to General Wayne at Greenville on September 9, 1795 by a party of Shawnees, numbering sixty or seventy. Puck-se-kaw, in delivering the prisoners spoke as follows: "My Father : I have been in the woods a long time. I was not acquainted
30
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
with the good works which were transacting at this place by you and all our great chiefs. Last spring when we were hunting peaceably, our camp on the Sciota was robbed. We are very poor and the mischief that has since been done was in retaliation for the injuries then received. As soon as I received this belt, which you sent me by Blue Jacket, one of our great chiefs, and as soon as I was informed by him that the good work of peace was finished, I arose to come to see you and brought with me these four prisoners. I now surrender them to you, my father, and promise you that we will do you no more mischief.
"I hope for the future we shall be permitted to live and hunt in peace and quietness. We were poor and ignorant children, astray in the woods, who knew not that our nation and all other tribes of Indians had come in and made peace with you. I thank the Great Spirit for at last opening our eyes. Father, we beg you will forgive and receive your re- pentant children. These people whom I now deliver to you must plead our forgiveness and vouch for our conduct for the future."
The Last Indian Raids in Randolph.
The last Indian raids in Randolph were between the middle of June and the last of July, 1792. In that year they made three incursions in Randolph, but confined their depre- dations to stealing horses. On their return, they were at- tacked by a party of scouts on the Ohio and one Indian was wounded and the horses recovered. Although this was the last visit of the savages to Randolph, alarms were frequent until the victory of General Wayne over them at Fallen Timbers in 1794 and the treaty in the subsequent year. Scouts and militia were kept in constant service until after captives were returned after the Treaty of Peace at Greenville in August, 1795. At different times after 1792 Indian trails were discovered leading toward the valley, but the vigilance of scouts and militia prevented them penetrating the frontier farther than the Buckhannon settlement, which they visited in 1795, taking captive Mrs. Bozart and three children, and killing two or three of the smaller ones.
31
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
The following tribes subscribed to the Greenville treaty : Wyandottes, Ottawas, Miamas, Kicapoos, Delawares, Chip- pewas, Eel Rivers, Paneshaws, Shawnees, Pottowotamies, Weas, and Kaskaskies.
Treaty of Lancaster.
By the treaty of Lancaster, Pa., 1744, the Indians re- linquished their claim to all the lands between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Ohio River. This was the first convey- ance to title to lands in this vast region. The consideration was £400-one-half in gold and one-half in goods. In the negotiations the Indian chiefs stated that the acquisition of the territory by conquest had cost them many lives. The treaty was as follows:
To all people to whom these presents shall come: Con- asatngo, Joneeat, Caxhayion, Torachdadon, Nenrranarkto, Sachemsor, Chiefs of the nations of the Onondagors; Saqur- hsonyunt, Gasroddodon. Huarasaly-akon, Rowamthalyhisso, Occoghquah, Seventies, Sachems or Chiefs of ye nations of ye Cahugoes ; Suadany alias Shirketiney, Onishudagony, On- onthkallydoroy alias Walrattuah, Tohosnorororow, Arrighah- horvand, Tiorhoosoy, Sachems or Chiefs of the Tuscaroras ; Tansanegoesand, Tonikuunitus, Sachems or Chiefs of ye na- tions of ye Senekers, send greeting :
Whereas, the six united nations of Indians laying claim to some lands in the Colony of Virginia, signified their willing- ness to enter into a treaty concerning the same. Whereupon, Thomas Lee. Esq., a member of the Ordinary of his Majesty's Honorable Council of the State and one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature in the Colony, and William Beverly, Esq., Colonel and County Lieutenant of the County of Orange and one of the representatives of the people in the House of Burgesses of that Colony, were deputed by the Gov- ernor of the said Colony as Commissioners to treat with the said Six Nations or their Deputies, Sachems or Chiefs, as well of and concerning their said claim as to renew their covenant chain between the said Colony and the said Six Nations, and the said Commissioners, having met at Lan- caster, in Lancaster County and province of Pennsylvania,
32
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
and as a foundation for a stricter amity and peace in this juncture agreed with the said Sachems or Chiefs of the said Six Nations for a Disclaimer and Renunciation of their Claim or pretense of Right whatsoever of the said Six Nations and an acknowledgement of Right of our Sovereign, King of Great Britain to all the land in the said County of Virginia.
Now Know Ye, in and for the sum of four hundred pounds current money of Pennsylvania, paid and delivered to the above named Sachems or Chiefs, partly in goods and partly in Gold Money by the said Commissioners, they the said Sachems or Chiefs on behalf of the said Six Nations do hereby renounce and disclaim not only all the right of the said Six Nations, but also recognize and acknowledge the right and title of our Sovereign, the King of Great Britain to all the land within the said Colony as it now or may here- after be peopled and bounded by his said Majesty, our Sov- ereign Lord, the King, his Heirs and Successors.
In Witness Whereof, the said Sachems or Chiefs, for themselves and in behalf of the people of the Six Nations afore- said have herewith set their hands and seals this second day of July in the 18th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second King of Great Britain and in the year of our Lord 1744.
Signed by all the above named Chiefs.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Edward Jennings at a General Court held at the Capital, October 25, 1744.
This Deed Poll was proved by ve oaths of Edward Jen- nings, Esq., Phillip Ludwell Lee, Esq., and William Black, three witnesses thereto and by the Court ordered to be recorded.
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.