USA > West Virginia > Randolph County > A history of Randolph County, West Virginia, from its earliest exploration and settlement to the present time > Part 3
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
Teste: (Signed )
BEN. WALTER, Cl. Ct.
Early Customs.
It was some time after the first settlement of the county before the pioneers had the convenience of grist-mills. In the meantime various substitutes were devised. First, was
33
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
the hominy block, then followed the hand mill. However, the settlers, later, availed themselves of the excellent water power furnished by the numerous streams in the county and tub mills were built in many localities. The hominy block was made by burning a large cavity like a druggists mortar in a block of elm wood. This was made to hold about a peck of grain. After soaking the grain in tepid water, it was pulverized by a wooden pestle. The coarse and fine particles were separated by a seive made by stretching a perforated
The Joe White Tub Mill, Dry Fork.
deer skin over a hoop. The fine meal was used for bread and the coarse for hominy.
The log house was necessarily the only kind of house built. The first houses were unhewn. The floor was made of puncheons. The roof was made of clapboards held on with weight poles. The stairway was a ladder of pegs fastened in the side wall. Some cabins were built with fire places so large that practically an entire tree could be used as a back- log. There was a door at each end of the fire place, which extended nearly across the cabin, and a horse would be driven in, dragging the log by the chain. Then the chain would be
34
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
unhooked and the horse would be loosened and go out the other door. The log would then be rolled into the fire place.
The first settlers were under the necessity of making, with their own hands, or at least having made in the immediate neighborhood all the things essential in the home and on the farm. Every well ordered household had a loom, spinning wheel, little and big, a flax breaker, sheep shears and wool carders. All the processes that converted the wool or flax
A Pioneer Kitchen.
into clothing were deftly done at home with their own tools, by the mothers and daughters. The apparel worn by both sexes was made from linen and woolen fabrics, which had been woven on the loom in the farm house and dyed with coperas in combination with various barks. Buckskin pants were often worn, and vests from fawn skins and caps from coon skins were in vogue in some communities until the Civil War. In the winter, moccasins were worn. They were made from deer skin, came up around the ankles and were tied with "buck-skin" strings.
35
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Stoves did not come into use until a comparatively recent period. All cooking was done over the fire place or in the bake oven. Kettles were suspended from a hook and tram- mel, which was fastened to an iron bar, secured in the chimney above. Matches not being in use, fires were kept as much as possible by covering live coals, or burning embers with ashes. When the fires went out however, a "chunk" was brought from a neighbor's supply, or resort was had to flint and steel with punk and tow. Kerosene lamps, being a later day in-
A Pioneer Barn.
novation, candles, pine knots or the ordinary dip light was improvised. The "dip" was made by immersing a twisted thread or cotton string in hog's lard or bear's oil and lighting the free end.
The practice of agriculture was rude and the most primi- tive tools were used. The plow was made entirely of wood and oxen drew them, as a rule, instead of horses. Harrows were made of wooden pegs in a wooden frame. Sometimes crab bushes or thorn bushes were substituted. The harvest was gathered with a sickle. Forks were made from forked dogwood saplings. Threshing was done, usually, with a flail and fifteen bushels was considered one day's work. Newly
36
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
shod horses were sometimes used to tramp out the grain. Two or three pairs of horses would tramp out fifty bushels in one day. The grain was separated from the chaff by throwing both in the air and letting the wind separate them. Then came the hand wind mill and later the horse power thresher.
In pioneer days a wedding was an event of great social importance. No effort was spared to celebrate the event in such a way as to make the event a memorable one. It was a time of much mirth and pleasure. The wedding party started in a double file from the home of the groom, when within a mile of the home of the bride, an Indian warhoop was given and all raced at full speed. The one reaching the house first was given a bottle that was awaiting the victor. All were then expected to participate, men and women, in the refreshing and stimulating contents of the bottle, when it was returned to the winner. A feast followed the wedding ceremony, which was duplicated at the infare at the groom's home. Horn and puter spoons and hunting knives not in- frequently adorned the table on these occasions. After supper the young people enjoyed themselves in the misty mazes of the dance. In pioneer parlance, it was the "hoe down." Occasionally the violinist was not an expert in his art and if his music failed to ascend in lofty and inspiring strains or fall in soft and sweet cadences, it was then that some rustic and unappreciative youth would likely compare his strident strains to "choking the goose." Other occasional festivities were corn huskings, log rollings, and house raisings. In the fall months, on a moonlight night the pioneer would ask in his neighbors, and from dark until 11 or 12 o'clock there would be a joyous combination of work and sport. There would be a contest between individuals and groups as to which would finish their work first, or which would find the most red ears of corn. All hands would occasionally take a rest to draw fresh inspiration from the pitcher of cider or the jug of "apple jack." The log rolling and the house raising were also affairs of festivities as well as of hard work. These undertakings were impossible undertakings alone, but with the combined assistance of friends and neighbors the task was easy. Then
37
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
it afforded an opportunity to cultivate the social amenities. While father and son were busy with the throng at the rolling or raising, the mother and daughter were having a season of mirth and enjoyment at the house, cooking and quilting.
Wild Animals.
The mountains and valleys of what is now Randolph county was the habitat of many wild animals. This was a blessing to the pioneer in many ways. They not only sup- plied his larder with meat, but their skins covered his naked- ness and protected him from the elements. The hunt and the chase also furnished him with diversion and relieved the monotony of an isolated life. The elk, deer, buffalo, panther, bear, otter, beaver, raccoon, wolf and catamount were the principal wild animals found by the first white men. The panther and wolf perhaps yet remain in very limited numbers in the eastern part of the county. The elk and buffalo disap- peared early. A few deer remain and the black bear is rather plentiful in the mountain districts in the eastern part of the county. The wild turkey, pheasant and owl were here in abundance. The eagle, though not so plentiful, made its home among the crags and cliffs of our mountain peaks. The wolf was very numerous and very troublesome to the pioneer. It was necessary to fasten sheep and calves in an enclosure every night to prevent their destruction. Wolves were soon deci- mated, not so much by the hunter's rifle as the prevalence of rabies among them. Many were infected, "went mad," and often attacked the settlers in their homes. Wolves exhibited great cunning in preying upon other animals. They hunted in packs. They followed the deer in company until they be- came tired, then one kept the deer going until it made a turn in the direction of another wolf, which was sniffing the wind for scent of its prey. The deer was thus pursued by fresh wolves until it became the victim of their ravenous appetites.
The black bear is a timid animal and is not inclined to attack man only in self defense or in defense of its young. It was an object of superstitious reverence to the Indians, who never killed it without apologizing and deploring the neces- sity which impelled them to do so.
35
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
CHAPTER IV.
AMONG THE RECORDS OF RANDOLPH.
R ANDOLPH COUNTY was formed by an act of the Vir ginia Assembly. October. 1786. and the house of Benja- min Wilson in Tygarts Valley was designated as the place for holding the first court. The territory of the new county
Randolph's First Court House. ( From an old photograph.)
embraced all of the present county of Tucker, half of the present county of Barbour. half of Upshur and a large part of Webster.
We give below the proceedings of the first County Court held in Randolph County. We have endeavored to produce the record as it is found in the time worn book, using the original words, spelling and punctuation :
39
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Be It Remembered that at the House of Benjamin Wilson on the 28 day of May 1787. a Commission of the Peace &c held a session of Over & Terminer for the said county directed and ordered that Jacob Westfall. Salathiel Goff. Patrick Ham- ilton, John Wilson, Cornelius Westfall. Edward Jackson, Robert Maxwell. Peter Cassity, Cornelius Bogard, John Jack- son, George Westfall. Henry Runyan, John Hadden & Johna-
than Parsons. Gent, was presented and read. Whereupon the Coath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth was administ- ered by the said Patrick Hamilton, to the said Salathiel Goff and also the Oath of Office as directed by law, and by the said Salathiel Goff to Patrick Hamilton. John Wilson, Cor- nelius Westfall. Edward Jackson, Robert Maxwell. Peter Cassity. Cornelius Bogard, John Jackson. Geo. Westfall. Henry Runyan, John Hadden. & Jonathan Parsons.
Jacob Westfall, Gent. produced a commission of Sheriff from his Excellency the Governor Baring Date the 17th day of April 1787 which was openly Read, whereupon the Said Jacob Westfall. Gent. after entering into the bond, with Edward Jackson &c Salathiel Goff his Securities took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office as directed by law. John Wilson was chosen Cleark of the Court of Randolph county and after giving bond with Jacob Westfall for Secur- ity for the due and faithful execution of his office took the Oath Allegiance to the Commonwealth and the Oath of Office prescribed by law.
Upon motion William McCleary admitted to practice as an Attorney in Randolph County and the necessary Oaths prescribed by law & paid the Tax Directed by Law.
That Wm. Mc Leary be allowed the sum of four pounds to be paid quarterly by the Court for one Year Should the Court think proper to continue for that time, who is now admitted Attorney for the Commonwealth. Edward Jack- son & John Haymond candidates for the Prinsible Survey- ors Office for Jackson 7 votes for Haymond + votes.
That Edward Jackson be recommended to the Governor as a proper person to fill the Office of Surveyor, he being of Probity & Good Character.
That Salathiel Goff and Cornelius Bogard be recom-
40
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
mended to the Governor as proper persons to fill the Office of Coroner.
That Jacob Westfall be recommended to his Excellency, the Governor as a proper person to fill the office of Lieut. of this county.
Patrick Hamilton Col.
John Wilson Major.
That the Public Buildings be erected on the Lands of James Westfall in that space of ground bounded by James Westfall fenses on the lower end of his plantation and the River & by a line, drawn from the River at Right angles passing the old School house and Westfalls Land and by the County Road.
If any spot within the tract of this order delineated that Jacob Westfall and Cornelius Bogard may appoint who is hereby appointed to view and lay off a certain tract not ex- ceeding One Acre. the Said James Westfall giving and Grant- ing the said Tract of One Acre together with Public Buildings.
That John Hadden, John Jackson & Cornelius Bogard be appointed Commissioners of Taxable Property.
That the Court do now adjourn till tomorrow Nine O'clock.
Salathiel Goff.
The next day May 29. 1787 the Court resumed its session. Jacob Riffle. Michael Yokum, Joseph Cooper, Thomas Holder, and Chas. Falanash were appointed Constables. Hezekiah Rosencranse was appointed Surveyor of Roads from Eber- man's Creek. (now Chenoweth's Creek) to Files Creek. The House of James Westfall was selected as the place of hold- ing the next Court. A wagon road was ordered opened from Mudlick at the County Road to Cheat River at the Horse Shoe Bottom. A bridle road was ordered to be opened from Connelies Lick to the Top of the Alleghany. Wm. Smith was appointed Surveyor of Roads from James Friend's to Wm. England's Ford. Uriah Gandy was appointed Surveyor of Roads from Benj. Wilson's to top of Alleghany.
The first session of Court held in what is now the town of Beverly, convened at the house of James Westfall. May
41
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
29, 1787. This house was a log structure, and was situated on the West side of Main Street adjoining the S. N. Bos- worth house on the north. This house remained a landmark of pioneer days until long after the civil war. The "worship- ful Justices" who conducted this session of court were "Ed- ward Jackson, Robert Maxwell, Peter Cassity, and Cornelius Bogard, Gent."
At the June term of the court, this body entered upon new duties and performed functions hitherto not exercised. No controversy over property rights had so far marred the tranquility of the pioneer period. However, at the August term, no less than seventeen cases were on the docket. The style of the first case demanding the attention of the court at the June term was Win. Peterson, plaintiff, vs. James Lackey, defendant. Judgment was given in favor of the plaintiff in the sum of $11.65. The first order for recording a deed for the conveyance of real estate was also passed at this term of the court.
Ebenezer Petty conveyed by deed 200 acres to Gabriel Friend. James Westfall was granted permission to "lay out lots for the purpose of a town between the fence or lower end of his plantation, the river on the West, Benjamin Wilson's line on the North and the county road on the east & that he have town lots laid off & Exposed to sale the first Day of August Court." (1787). No name had been given the em- bryotic town at that time, but later it was called Edmonton, and retained this appellation until three years later when by an Act of the Virginia Assembly the town of Beverly was created. At this term of the court the county was divided into three assessment districts as follows:
John Hadden's District :- From Simeon Harris' and Aaron Richardson's up Tygarts Valley, a straight line to Roaring Creek to the head, thence up Middle Fork to the head, thence to the Greenbrier line, "the neardest direction" and from the said Harris' to the Rockingham line, "the neardest direction."
John Jackson's District :- From John Haddan's line on Roaring Creek to its junction with the Valley River, thence a straight line where the road leading to Clarksburg crosses Laurel Run, the old pack road called "Pringle's Road," thence
42
À HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
with this road to the head of Clover Run, thence with the meanders of Laurel Hill to the county line.
Cornelius Bogard's District :- All of Randolph County not included in Hadden's and Jackson's districts.
In more than one sense the court at this session became a trail blazer and a pathfinder. Highways were ordered to be viewed that were destined to become roads of State and National importance. Commissioners were appointed to re- port to the court on the "convenience and inconvenience" that would attend the opening of a road from John Jackson's on Buckhannon River to the court house in Beverly. This road was located some years later. The Staunton and Parkers- burg pike was constructed practically on the same route, and became part of a great thoroughfare from the east to the Ohio river. It was also used extensively in military operations during the civil war.
John Wilson was appointed Surveyor of Highways from Mudlick in Tygarts Valley to foot of mountain on Northeast side of Horseshoe Bottom.
The July term, 1787, marked the beginning of the super- vision and control of the liquor trafic in Randolph County. Jacob Westfall was "admitted to retail liquor till the Novem- ber court and no longer without license."
During these years of peace Indian hostilities may have been in abeyance, yet the records evidence the fact that the Red Man was busy appropriating the settlers horses. The court ordered that Charles Parsons be exempted from paying taxes on "three horse creatures that have been taken from him by the Indians since the 9, of March last past." A simi- lar order was passed in regard to five horses lost by Henry Fink and several lost by John Warwick. At this term of the court Nathan Nelson was brought before the court on the charge of being a vagabond and gave bond for his good be- havior. Among the cases tried at this term of the court were the following :
John Smith vs. Michael Isner. Judgment for 4 pounds. Jacob Stalnaker vs. John Phillips. The case agreed.
Ralph Stewart vs. James Pringle. Continued.
John Alford vs. Joseph Parsons. In this case the plain-
43
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
tiff made oath that he was afraid that the defendant would do him a private injury. Accordingly Parsons was put under bond to "keep the peace of the world and especially John Alford."
At this term of the court Hugh Turner and William Wilson were appointed to draw plans for a county jail, let the contract for its erection to the lowest bidder and report the same to the next August court.
At the July (1787) term provision was made for the first election to be held in Randolph County. Overseers of the Poor were to be elected. All other county officers except Members of the Legislature were appointive. It seems strange that the more important and remunerative offices of Sheriff and Clerk of the Court would be appointed by the Justices and the insignificant office of Overseer of the Poor be made elective at so much trouble and expense to the people.
The county was laid off into four districts as follows :
District 1, west of Rich Mountain, down to the Valley River, down the west side of the river to the county line. The territory between that line and Harrison county was the dis- trict, and John Jackson was appointed to conduct the election.
District 2, that part of the county northeast of Rich Mountain and east of Valley River, including the Horse Shoe setlement from Wilmoth's settlement down. Salathiel Goff was appointed to conduct the election.
District 3. The remainder of the county was "divided by a line due east from Rich Mountain, passing by William Wamsley's." North of the line was the third district and Robert Maxwell was appointed to hold the election.
District 4 consisted of the remainder of the county, and Patrick Hamilton was appointed to hold the election. The Sheriff was ordered to oversee the elections and make re- turns at the September court. Returns were not made until November, and then in only two districts. In No. 2, William Westfall and David Minear were elected; in No. 3, Aaron Richardson, Thomas Philips and William Wilson.
At this court Hugh Turner was ordered to draw plans and specifications for a jail, and the Sheriff was ordered to advertise for bids for building the jail.
44
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
At the August court, 1787, the first grand jury was drawn. The names were: John Hamilton, Daniel Westfall, Valentine Stalnaker, Jacob Stalnaker, John Currence, Simeon Harris, Joseph Crouch, Charles Nelson, Solomon Ryan, Abraham Kittle, Thomas Phillips, William Wilson, Charles Myers, Michael Isner, Nicholas Petro, Nicholas Wolf and Andrew Skidmore.
At the August term (1787) Jacob Westfall made the fol- lowing report in reference to the county jail: "Jacob West- fall, Gent. came into court and reported that he struck off the building of the Public Jail to a certain Edward Hart, to be finished by the next March court." No reference was made as to the price at which the contract was given. Joseph Crouch was appointed Surveyor of Roads from Geo. West- fall's Mill up to John Alexander's plantation. Alexander Ad- dison applied for a recommendation from the court to obtain a licence to practice law. He was given one year in which to obtain such license. At the expiration of this time the order of the court was to become void if he had not obtained law license in the meantime. A similar order was made in regard to Wm. McLeary.
At the September court (1787) John Wilson was allowed 200 pounds of tobacco "for service in regard to the tax law." This allowance was in all probability for the collection of the land tax, and was equivalent to $6.65.
The first reference to the insane is found in the records of that term of the court. Philip and David Minear informed the court that their brother John Minear "was crazy and had eloped from their charge and strayed into Monongalia Coun- ty." They were given authority to take charge of him and his property.
The records of the October term (1787) reveal that John Jackson was appointed Captain of the Buckhannon Company and Edward Jackson Colonel of this county. Edward Jack- son was grandfather of Thomas Jonathan (Stonewall) Jack- son. Colonel Edward Jackson, though his military record was humble and obscure, may have possessed, for aught we know, the military genius of his illustrious grandson. He may have been one of those "gems of purest ray serene the
45
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
dark unfathomed caves of oceans bear" and Stonewall may have inherited those qualities of a soldier that gave him im- perishable renown from his paternal grandfather.
Two indictments were found at the November (1787) term for illegally retailing liquor. These indictments, as the record states, were found on the information of two members of the Grand Jury. At the same term of the court we find many orders similar to this one: Ordered that the killing of one old wolf by John Hadden be liquidated. Evidently the killing of wolves was an important infant industry. Meagre and indefinite information is found in the records of the fol- lowing cases tried at this term of the court :
Cornelius Bogard vs. Wm. Short. Refused to be taken.
John Hamilton vs. Pat. Hamilton. Refused to be taken.
Benjamin Hornbeck vs. Joseph Summerfield. Not found.
At the January term (1788) Benjamin Hornbeck was "admitted to retail liquor for the term of the present day." The reason for the brevity of the life of his license is not clear. Perhaps he only wanted to dispense the ardent on the first day of court. In the earlier years of the county and even up to the second decade after the civil war the first day of court was largely in the nature of a social gathering. An event in which the monotony and isolation of pioneer life were broken by an exchange of greetings and experience of people similarly situated. Under these circumstances the wine not infrequently flowed with a spirit of good feeling and comrad- ship. Hence the necessity of "admitting Mr. Hornbeck to retail liquor for the term of the present day."
At the same term of the court it was ordered that a certificate be issued to the Governor in favor of Wm. Blair for an increase in his pension for a wound received while rendering military service for the commonwealth under Colonel Charles Lewis at the battle of Point Pleasant, Octo- ber 10, 1774.
Tavern rates were regulated at that term of the court as follows :
46
A HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
Maderia wine, per half pint.
25
cents
Other wines,
20 5-6
66
West India rum
16 2-3
Other rums
12 1-2
Peach brandy
11 1-9
66
Good whiskey
66
11 1-9 66
Dinner
16 2-3
Breakfast
12 1-2
Supper
12 1-2
Lodging, in clean sheets each night.
8 1-3
Corn and oats, per gallon
11 1-9
Horse at hay, every 12 hours
11 1-9
Pasture, every 24 hours. 8 1-2
66
Mr. McLeary was recommended to the Judges of the Court of Appeals as a suitable person to fill the office of Clerk of their court in Monongalia County.
At the May term (1788) the court ordered that the Sheriff collect $26.66 "for E. Hart to carry on the publick's joal."
At the July term (1788) the following extraordinary order was recorded: "That a writ go forth to bring Garret Lambert before the next court to show cause why he does not betake himself to lawful employment & demean himself as required by the laws of the Commonwealth." The exercise of such jurisdiction by the courts today would no doubt be considered an unwarranted infringement of personal liberty.
On the 22nd day of September, 1788, the court took the initial steps to build the first court house for Randolph County. The Justices of the Peace had previously prepared plans and specifications for the temple of justice and it was ordered that they be given to the Sheriff, who was directed to advertise for contracts for its construction.
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.