USA > West Virginia > Braxton County > History of Braxton County and central West Virginia > Part 16
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150
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
And it is further ordered that M. H. Morrison and E. W. Squires be ap- pointed Chain Carrieres for said Surveyor on said routes.
Ordered that this meeting now adjourn until to-morrow morning at nine o'clock.
E. W. SQUIRES, Clerk. M. H. MORRISON, President.
May 3, 1871.
Asa Long this day produced his certificate under oath of his having taken and destroyed two full grown Red Foxes for which he was allowed 75 cents each, which claim was ordered to be certified for payment.
COUNTY HISTORY.
March 4, 1862, Wm. Hutchison, County Surveyor, surveyed for Wm. Ton- kin, one hundred acres of land, lying on Salt Lick of the Little Kanawha, by virtue of part of a land office treasury warrant for 10,000 acres, No. 21107, dated Mareh 30, 1853. This was the last entry surveyed and recorded by Wm. Hutchison under the laws of Virginia.
On May 3, 1866, John D. Sutton, County Surveyor of Braxton county, surveyed 301/2 aeres of land for John Rodgers, by virtue of part of a land office Treasury Warrant for 390 acres, No. 21900, dated Dec. 16, 1853.
This was the first tract of land surveyed and patented in the county after the formation of the new state. The law provided that all entries made prior to June 20, 1863, could be patented, and after that date, vacant lands were to be sold and the proceeds go to the state.
G. F. Taylor as Recorder, made his first record May 14, 1865, and closed his office work December 13, 1865. He was succeeded by Morgan H. Morrison who was also eleeted as Recorder and Clerk of the Circuit Court, and as Re- eorder, made his first entry on Dec. 15, 1866. The Recorder was elected for two years, and the Circuit Clerk for four years.
SHERIFFS OF BRAXTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
John Clifton, John B. Byrne, Andrew Sterrett, Nicholas Gibson, Felix Sutton , Charles Mollohan, John Morrison, William Hutchison, James M. Corley, F. C. Boggs.
SHERIFFS OF BRAXTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
George H. Morrison, James W. Morrison, Henry Bender, Able M. Lough, John Byrne, A. C. Dyer, A. N. Lough, David Berry, Emory A. Berry, John Adams, George Goad, John Adams. B. C. MeNutt, R. N. Rollyson, and H. Wirt Moyers.
151
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
MARRIAGE LICENSES FOR THE FIRST TEN YEARS OF THE COUNTY.
The average number is only a fraction over 20 per year, some years there seems to have been a dirth, while other years the spirit of matrimony seems to have been abroad in the land.
Some of the names may be mispelled as it was often with difficulty we were able to make them out as the paper upon which the lieenses were written was badly faded, and in no ease was the name of the minister given.
A penalty of $150.00 was required in every marriage license and in giving their bonds and certificates of applieants' age and consent of parents and guar- dians, we find the elerk often spelled the names differently from that given by the parents, and we sometimes had to refer to these certificates to enable us to deeipher what had been written in the body of the lieense.
We find many familiar names of old eitizens, and the hand writing of many that could nowhere else be found. The perusal of some of these certificates is very amusing. Some of the parties whose names we have recorded have long since left the country, and their names have become extinct.
LIST OF MARRIAGE LICENSES. 1836
Simon Prinee (Son of Nathan Prinee) and Peggy Sisk, July 23, 1836.
Sampson Hoffman and Elizabeth Baker, Oet. 28, 1836.
Wm. G. Pierson and Julian Friend (Daughter of A. P. Friend) Aug. 25, 1836. John Ward and Jane Skidmore, April 26, 1836.
Nathan G. Duffield and Elizabeth P. Duffield, Aug. 2, 1836.
Samuel Given and Cintha Duffield (Daughter of Robt. Duffield), Nov. 7. 1836. James F. Given and Ruth Duffield (Daughter of Robt. Duffield), Nov. 7, 1836. Benjamin Wine and Naney Williams (Daughter of Joseph Williams). May 3, 1836.
Nathan D. Barnett and Elizabeth Sutton (Daughter of J. D. Sutton), Sept. 21, 1836.
Benjamin Possey and Cyntha Robinson (Daughter of Mary Robinson), Nov. 7, 1836.
James G. Duffield and Eviline M. Duffield (Daughter of John L. Duffield), Oet. 5, 1836. .
George Gibson and Martha Ann Chenoweth, Dee. 22, 1836.
Harrison Sheltra and Danna Chester, Aug. 22, 1836.
Elias Perkins made oath to the age of Danna Chester. 21 years.
1838.
Uriah Singleton (Son of John Singleton) and Elizabeth Heater (Daughter of John Heater), Oet. 1, 1838.
James Pritt and Rachael Miller, Aug. 9, 1838.
152
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
Joseph W. Arnold and Elizabeth Byrne, Dec. 16, 1838.
Joseph W. Westfall and Margaret Brown, Nov. 3, 1838.
Adam Given and Miss Rose, Nov. 23, 1838.
Samuel Cutlip (Son of Henry) and Rachael Brown (Daughter of Joseph Brown), Sept. 12, 1838.
Silas Dean and A. Tunny, May 20, 1838.
Benjamin Coger and Marian Miller, April 5, 1838.
Norman Boggs and Marian Mollohan, Aug. 31, 1838.
L. Knight and Nancy Mace, Aug. 1, 1838.
Jesse Shaver (Son of Isaac Shaver) and Matilda C. Squires (Daughter of Asa Squires), Aug. 1, 1838.
John High and Eleanor Shields, Sept. 26, 1838.
Wm. G. Murphy and Susan H. Murphy (Daughter of David Murphy), July 3, 1838.
Wm. T. McCoy and Lueinda A. Squires (Daughter of Asa Squires), June 5, 1838.
1841
Lewis Keener and James, July 13, 1841.
Jaeob Irwin to Catherine Perrine, April 22, 1841.
Jacob Tomblenson and Anna Friend, Oct. 13, 1841.
Edward Robinson and Mahola Bickel (Daughter of Geo. Biekel), Oct. 13, 1841. Peter Dobins and Margaret Hall (Daughter of Alexander Hall), Oct. 3, 1841.
Andrew Carr to Sarah Young, Nov. 7, 1841.
Arthur Mollohan (Son of George) and Susanna Reep, Feb. 23, 1841.
Daniel Heater of Randolph Co., and Mary Heater, Oet. 18, 1841.
(Mary Heater makes oath that her son Daniel was 24 years old on the 24th day of last month).
Allen Skidmore (Son of Andrew & Margaret Skidmore) and Sally Shaver (Daughter of Isaae & Mary S.), March 1, 1841.
(Authority was given by Mary Shaver).
James Lough and Francesea Mollohan, Jan. 21, 1841.
Thomas Skidmore and Mariah W. Hines, Sept. 13, 1841.
George Brown and Elizabeth Lough, Aug. 3, 1841.
Andrew Carr (Son of James Carr) and Sarah Young, July 19, 1841.
Allen S. Berry (Son of Wm. Berry) and Rebecca Alkire (Daughter of David Alkire), June 19, 1841.
Wm. Fisher and Jane Green, Oet. 6, 1841.
John L. Carpenter and Naney Perrine (Daughter of Joseph Perrine), Nov. 27, 1841.
Simeon Strader and Jane Wine, Aug. 19, 1841.
Joseph M. Baxter and Catherine Robinson (Daughter of Henry Robinson), Oet. 11, 1841.
James MeCray, of Lewis Co., and Amanda Jane Berry (Daughter of Lewis Berry), Aug. 13, 1841.
153
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
Andrew Ocheltree, Jr., (Son of Hannah Ocheltree, widow of Isaac Ocheltree) and Ann Williams (Daughter of Margaret), Feb. 27, 1841.
James R. Dire and Romena Catherine Byrn, Feb. 13, 1841.
Andrew Cutlip and Mary Smar, May 7, 1841.
1837.
Robert Duffield, Jr., and Polly Pritt (Daughter of Wm. Pritt), Feb. 7, 1837. Moses Cunningham and Pheba Haymond, Sept. 5, 1837.
John Posey and Maria Gundecker (Daughter of Michael Gundecker), Dec. 26, 1837.
Peyton B. Byrne and Sary Ann Gundecker (Daughter of Michael Gundecker), Dec. 26, 1837.
Addison Cutlip and Elizabeth Friend, Sept. 23, 1837.
Silas Wilson and Sarah Cart, Oct. 2, 1887.
John C. Perrine and Nancy Brickel (Daughter of Geo. B. Bickel), July 31, 1837.
Hiram Hess and Phebe Lough (Daughter of Adam Lough) Sept. 14, 1837.
George Duffield and Virginia Pierson, April 4, 1837.
Wm. Posey- and Sarah Sten ........ , June 6, 1837.
George High and Barbara Prince (Daughter of Nathan Prince), Jan. 30, 1837. Lewis Cutlip and Hannah Brown (Daughter of Josiah Brown), Aug. 2, 1837. Leonard Hycr (Son of Christian Hyer) and Margaret Anna McPherson (Daughter of Jos. McPherson), Dec. 5, 1837.
Isaac H. Loyd and Catherine Mary McPherson (Daughter of Joseph Mc- Pherson), May 23, 1837.
Samuel Dobins and Elizabeth James, Feb. 24, 1837.
Henry Cart and Margaret Irwin (Daughter of Jacob Irwin), Aug. 14, 1837. John Harris and Eleanor Howell, Aug. 14, 1837.
Bazel L. Williams and Lucinda Howell (Daughter of John Howell). Aug. 1, 1837.
Philip F. Dyer and Jane Miller (Daughter of John Miller), May 21, 1837. Alexander L. Morrison and Agnes Frame, July 17, 1837.
Andrew Hollins and Elizabeth Heffner (Daughter of Jacob Heffner). June 19, 1837.
Wm. Mace and Sarah Green, June 7, 1837.
John Hornick and Lydia McMahon (Daughter of Jacob McMahon), May 23, 1837.
John Crawford and Nancy C. Conrad (Daughter of John Conrad), June 19, 1837.
Samuel Wyall and Louisa Butcher, June 22, 1837.
1839
Isaac Hines and Mary Skidmore, Oct. 28, 1839. Edward Ware and Elizabeth Long, Oct. 28, 1839.
George Lake and Solomo Boggs, Oct. 5, 1839.
154
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
Andrew W. Murphy and Caroline Squires, Oet. 1, 1839.
Benjamin Hutchison and Mary Dobins (Daughter of Samuel Dobins), Jan. 5, Calvin M. Gibson and Nancy Wyatt, Jan. 31, 1839. 1839.
Wm. Singleton and Margaret Lake, Aug. 13, 1939.
Thomas Carpenter and Eunice Cowger (Daughter of John Cowgar), Dec. 26, 1839.
John S. Pharis and Cintha Woods, Oct. 8, 1839.
Andrew Boggs, Jr., and Molly Lake, Nov. 18, 1839.
Allen Hamrick and Martha Miller (Daughter of John Miller), Oct. 28, 1839. Chrisman Conrad and Elizabeth Wine (Danghter of George Wine), Jan. 9, 1839.
James Sands and Mary Riffle, Dec. 3, 1839.
Milton Frame (Son of David Frame) and Amanda Rose (Daughter of Ezekiel Rose), Feb. 26, 139.
Hezkiah Boggs (Son of Wm. Boggs) and Diana Shock (Daughter of Jacob Shock), Feb. 26, 1839.
John Roberts and Margaret Davis (Daughter of Wm. Davis), Aug. 21, 1839. Samuel Heater and Jane Robenson, Jan. 18, 1839.
1840
Enoch Roberts and Eliza Wyatt, June 3, 1840.
Jonathan Hall and Margaret Young, Sept. 14, 1840.
Albert N. Ellison and ,Eliza Mace, Oct. 16, 1840.
George Cart (Son of John Cart) and Isabel Duffield (Daughter of Robert V. Duffield), Dec. 14, 1840.
Isaac McHenry and Amanda Haymond, Aug. 4, 1840.
Francis C. Boggs (Son of Jas. Boggs) and Emsy Bets (Daughter of John Bets), Jan. 30, 1840.
John G. Bauer and Rachael C. Huffman (Daughter of Michael Huffman), Mar. 10, 1840.
Win. R. Arters and Mary Baxter, Nov. 27, 1840.
Robert V. Duffield and Elizabeth Notingham, Aug. 13, 1840.
Benjamin Green and Jane Clifton (Daughter of John Clifton), Aug. 26, 1840. Jacob Stump (Son of Absalom Stump) and Mary Shock (Daughter of Jacob Shock), (no date).
Charles W. Duffield and Jane Murphy, April 13, 1840.
Jacob L. Friend and Plebe Gibson, Nov. 19, 1840.
Seth Thayer and Rebecca Carpenter, June 23, 1840.
Win. Conrad and Anna Murphy, Aug. 10, 1840.
Hiram Ifines and Susana Skidmore, 1840.
Tunis Davis and Keziah Given (Daughter of David Given). Dec. 18, 1840. James C. Frame and Louisa Gibson, Aug. 5, 1840.
Jesse Clifton and Nancy Green, Oct. 26, 1840.
155
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
1843
Vincent Lake and Rebecca Ewing, May 6, 1843. 1
Asa R. Conrad and Lydia Elizabeth Singleton (Daughter of John F. Singleton), Nov. 13, 1843.
Samuel S. Cutlip and Nancy J. Murphy, June 19, 1843.
Alexander C. Riffle and Susanah Lake, June 7, 1843.
Wm. Fox and Sarah Ann Gibson, Aug. 1, 1843.
Joseph C. MeNemer and Rocena Heater, Sept. 5, 1843.
Wm. A. Davis and Hannah Steel (Daughter of John Steel). July 14. 1843. Lemuel Conrad and Ingra Shields (Daughter of John Shields), July 14, 1843. Wm. Chapman and Matilda Hanna, Oct. 9, 1843.
Christian Long and Elizabeth Murphy, Dec. 11, 1843.
Lamastus Stephenson and Mary Evans (Daughter of David Evans), Aug. 19, 1843.
Uriah Duffield (Son of Robt. V. Duffield) and Melvina James, Aug. 29, 1843. William Cutlip and Agnes Berry (Daughter of Wm. Berry), June 14, 1843. Felix Skidmore (Son of Andrew Skidmore) and Cynthia Frame (Daughter of David Frame), Sept. 28, 1843.
Alfred C. Westfall and Anna Riffle, Nov. 15, 1843.
Godfrey C. Heffner and Ruth Ewing (Daughter of Thomas Ewing), Oct. 17, 1843.
James Chapman (Son of Wm. Chapman) and Love Lamb, July 3, 1843.
John P. Brown and Malinda McBain (Daughter of Wm. McBain), Aug. 1. 1843.
Esemund D. Collett and Sarah Ann Rader, Dec. 7, 1843.
Wm. C. Murphy and Lydia Plyman, Jan. 4, 1843.
Henry Pierson (Son of Jonathan Pierson) and Sarah Jane Rose (Daughter of Wm. Rose), Feb. 24, 1843.
Joseph H. Goff (Son of Alexander Goff) and Angeline S. Davis, Feb. 2, 1843.
1842
John May (Son of James May) and Jemina Wilson, Feb. 19, 1842. Richard A. Cutlip (Son of George Cutlip) and Elizabeth Rose, 1842.
Wm. Hutchison and Elizabeth Bell (Daughter of Wm. and Mary Bell). Dec. 28, 1842.
Wm. Gillespie and Mary Hamrick, Dec. 13. 1842.
Samuel Thorp and Matilda Woods, Dec. 24, 1842.
Joel Hamrick and Elizabeth Gillespie, Oct. 22, 1842.
Salotheal Riddle and Nancy Betts, Oct. 10, 1842.
Josiah Cowger and Sarah Cowger, March 2, 1842.
Joe Bland and Margaret M. Cunningham (Daughter of Henry and Nancy Cun- ningham), Sept. 7, 1842.
Henry C. Murphy and Margaret E. Duffield (Daughter of Henry Duffield), Oet. 6, 1842.
156
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
Council H. Rodgers (Son of John Rodgers) and Catherine Friend (Daughter of Israel Friend), Sept. 17, 1842.
Francis B. Stewart and Rhoda Dove, Nov. 1, 1842.
Owen J. Murphy and Emma Ellen Chenoweth (Daughter of Robt. Chenoweth), July 27, 1842.
Ansil P. Tenney and Elisa Davis, Dec. 13, 1842.
Samuel Ellis Stout, of Lewis Co., and Mary Townsend (Daughter of S. B. Townsend), Oct. 5, 1842.
1844
James M. Corley and Edith Skidmore (Daughter of Jas. Skidmore of Randolph Co.), Nov. 5, 1844.
Jacob Carpenter and Sarah E. Green (Daughter of Robert Green), Oct. 3, 1844.
Enos B. Cunningham and Sarah Long (Daughter of Jacob Long), Nov. 9, 1844. Beverly W. Lewis and Margaret Townsend (Daughter of Solomon Townsend), July 13, 1844.
Jacob W. Notingham and Mary L. Chestnut (Daughter of Jno Chestnut of Bath Co.), Aug. 7, 1844.
Jonathan H. Burk and Phebe Skidmore (Daughter of Nancy Skidmore), 1844.
Wm. C. Riffle and Polly Perrine (Daughter of Hannah Perrine), Dec. 16, 1844. Jacob S. Boggs and Clementina Frame (Daughter of Andrew B. Frame), Oct. 30, 1844.
George W. Hickel and Nancy M. Oldham (Daughter of Wm. Oldham), Nov. 20, 1844.
Henry P. Evans and Elizabeth Rader (Daughter of Robert Rader), June 22, 1844.
James P. Graham and Jane C. Ewing (Daughter of Moses Ewing) Feb. 9, 1844.
James R. Tinney and Zutulba Given (Daughter of David Given), Jan. 20, 1844. John S. Hanna and Rebecca Gillespie (Daughter of Wm. Gillespie), Dec. 17, 1844.
Council H. Rodgers and Katherine Kyer (Daughter of Lewis Kyer), Dec. 17, 1844. -
Christopher M. Hamrick and Eva Gregory (Daughter of Joseph Gregory), March 4, 1844.
Washington Pearce and Matilda Shield (Daughter of Peter Shield) , .......... , 1844. Joshua Ewing and Mary Friend (Daughter of Jonathan Friend), Oct. 21, 1844. Simon Weese and Eady Clifton (Daughter of John Clifton), Jan. 12, 1844.
Oswald P. Newby and Susanah Fisher (Daughter of Wm. Fisher), Jan. 24, 1844.
John Ware and Mariah Belknap (Daughter of Jane Belknap), June 20, 1844.
157
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
1845
Daniel Carper and Sarah Jane Squires (Daughter of Asa Squires). Aug. 20, 1845.
Benjamin Roberts and Rebecca Jane Given (Daughter of David Given), March 1, 1845.
Wm. Ellison and Catherine Cutlip (Daughter of David Cutlip), July 2, 1845. Wm. C. Johnson and Elizabeth Williams (Daughter of Hugh Williams), July 29, 1845.
Peter Bosley and Malinda Dencho (Daughter of Sarah Dencho), .......... , 1845.
John Conrad and Mary May (Daughter of James May), Aug. 11, 1845.
Andrew L. Barnett and Emily Cutlip (Daugher of John Cutlip), Aug. 9, 1845. John P. Byrne and Sabina C. Sterrett (Daughter of Andrew Sterrett), April 2, 1845.
John Jenkins and Rebecca Jane Cutlip, July 31, 1845.
Wm. P. Ellison and Elizabeth Skidmore (Daughter of Nancy Skidmore), Nov. 13, 1845.
Samuel B. Heckle, Jr., and Mary Ann Gibson (Daughter of James Gibson), March 19, 1845.
Jacob Heater and Susannah Riffle (Daughter of Isaac Riffle); Sept. 6, 1845.
David Glunt and Mary M. James (Daughter of Joseph James), Dec. 29, 1845. Wm. Coger, Jr., and Mary Bender (Daughter of Isaac Bender), Jan. 13, 1845. Andrew A. Wilson and Rebecca Frame (Daughter of James Frame), April 14, 1845.
Adam J. Hyer and Hannah Rodgers (Daughter of Levi Rodgers), May 17, 1845.
Jesse Shoulders and Mary Posey (Daughter of Edward Posey), Sept. 26, 1845. Lindsey B. Shield and Sarah Shield (Daughter of John Shield), 1845. Abel R. Cunningham and Mary C. Boggs (Daughter of Benjamin L. Boggs), Sept. 10, 1845.
David Frae and Charlotte Pierson (Daughter of Jonathan Pierson), Nov. 18, 1845.
Silvanus N. Dennis and Katherine Boggs, Aug. 15, 1845.
Samuel Lockard and Amy Gibson (Daughter of James Gibson), July 22, 1845. Wm. M. Hall and Agnes Triplet (Daughter of Sinnett Triplett), July 7, 1845. Thomas Roby and Catharine Townsend (Daughter of Solomon Townsend), July 28, 1845.
Wm. S. Hall and Margaret James (Daughter of Joseph James), Jan. 7, 1845. James Hosey and Naomia Belknap (Daughter of Thos. Belknap), Jan. 20, 1845. Thomas James and Eliza Pritt (Daughter of Robert Pritt), Sept. 1, 1815.
Wm. G. Squires and Maria Morrison (Daughter of John Morrison), Ang. 20, 1845.
Daniel H. Lough and Elizabeth Jordan (Daughter of Andrew Jordan), Jan. 25, 1845.
Norman Frame and Susanna Sands (Daughter of George Sands), May 17, 1845.
158
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
John Windon ( Windon was hung) and Nancy Ross (Daughter of Thomas Ross), May 15, 1845.
James J. Williams and Rebecca Jane Williams (Daughter of Wm. Williams), May 3, 1845.
NUMBER ISSUED EACH YEAR.
1836
16
1837
25
1838
15
1839
17
1840
18
1841
23
1842
15
1843
24
1844
20
1
1845
32
Total
205
-
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
159
CHAPTER VII.
Virginia in the Revolutionary War; General Averill's Great Raid to Salem;
Morgan's Raid; Confederate Raids in the State; Cornology of Military Events; Roster of Soldiers of Braxton County, both Union and Confederate; Civil War incidents and Tragedics.
We cannot read the speech delivered by President Lincoln at Gettysburg without entertaining the belief that he was one of the greatest of men; and when we read Mr. Bryan's oration , we class it as one of the great productions of the human mind and a solace to the Christian world. Again we read a gem from the pen of that brilliant statesman and gifted orator, the late John J. Ingall, when he portrays in the richest language the equality of all things earthly at the grave, and another little gem called, "Opportunity."
We publish these together that the wayfaring man, the student and the philosopher may read for himself and feel an inspiration that might lift him to a higher plane:
2
3
1
WILLIAM J. BRYAN, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, JOHN J. INGALL
160
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
"To every created thing God has given a tongue that pro- claims a resurrection.
"If the Father deigns to touch with divine power the cold and pulseless heart of the buried acorn and to make it hurst forth from its prison walls, will He leave neglected in the earth the soul of man, made in the image of his Creator? If He stoops to give to the rose hush, whose withered blossoms float upon thf Autumn hreeze the sweet assur- ance of another springtime, will he refuse the words of hope to the sons of men when the frosts of winter come? If matter, mute and inanimate, though changed by the forces of nature into a multitude of forms, can never die, will the spirit of man suffer annihilation when it has paid a brief visit like a royal guest to this tenement of clay? No, I am as sure that there is another life as I am that I live today !
"In Cairo, I secured a
few grains of wheat that had slum- bered for more than three thous- and years in an Egyptian tomh. As I looked at them, this thought came into my mind: If one of those grains had heen planted on the hanks of the Nile the year after it grew, and all its lineal descendants planted and replanted - from that time until now, its progeny would today he suffi- eiently numerous to feed the teem- ing millions of the world. There is in the grain of wheat an in- visible something which has power to discard the hody that we see, and from earth and air fashion a new hody so much like the old one that we cannot tell one from the other. If this invisible germ of life in the grain of wheat can thus pass unimpaired through three thousand resurrections, I shall not douht that my soul has power to clothe itself with a body suited to its new existence when this earthly frame bas crumhled into dust."
"Fourscore-and-seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are cre- ated equal.
"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation so coneeived and so dedi- cated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting proper that we should do this.
"But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot con- secrate-we cannot hallow-this ground. The hrave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it; far ahove our power to add or to detract. The world will little note nor' long remember what we say here, hut it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so no- hly advanced. It is rather for us to he here dedicated to the great task remaining hefore us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new hirth of freedom-and that government of the people, hy the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
"In the democracy of the dead all men at last are equal. There is neither rank, station or pre- rogative in the republic of the grave. At this fatal threshold the philosopher ceases to he wise and the song of the poet is silent. Dives relinquishes his millions and Lazarus his rags. The poor man is as rich as the richest, and the rich man as poor as the pau- per. The creditor loses his usury and the dehtor is acquitted of his ohligation. There the proud man surrenders his dignities, the poli- tician his honors. the worldling his pleasures, the invalid needs no physician, and the lahorer rests from unrequited toil. Here at last is Nature's final decree in equity. The strongest there has no physician. and the weakest needs no defense. The mightiest captain succumbs to the invinei- hle adversary, who disarms alike the victor and the vanquished."
OPPORTUNITY
Master of human destinies am I, Fame, love and fortune on my footsteps wait :
Cities and fields I walk; I pene- trate
Deserts and seas remote, and. passing by
Hovel, and mart, and palace, soon or late,
I knock, unhidden, once at every gate.
If sleeping, wake; if feasting, rise hefore
I turn away. It is the hour of fate
And they who follow me reach every state .
Mortals desire and conquer every foe
Save death; hut those who hesi- atate,
Condemned to failure, penury and woe,
Seek me in vain and uselessly implore :
I answer not and I return no more.
161
SUTTON'S HISTORY.
VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
In regard to the Militia, very little is known, and that little is extremely fragmentary.
In 1776, the available militia in Virginia is thought to have been about 45,000 men ; probably it was never less than 40,000, of whom possibly one-fourth saw real service. Other states have counted their militia in the strength which they gave to the Revolutionary cause. For the lack of data, Virginia has not received credit on this score. The reports of Secretary-of-War Knox fail to do justice to Virginia along this line. The figures given by him are mere estimates.
In 1776, a large number of Virginians were in the field against Dunmore. Some went to the relief of North Carolina and others were in the Cherokee Ex- pedition in the West.
In 1778, Virginia had a number of militia in the operations in the West and for defense along the frontiers.
In 1779, Virginia was authorized to send militia to South Carolina.
In 1780, the militia were out in large numbers.
In 1781, 700 militia joined General Gates, some were at King's Mountain and others were serving around Norfolk. In the latter part of this year Dan'l. Morgan had some of them serving in Green's Army. In 1781, practically all of the available militia of Virginia were summoned into service, taking part in the Battle of Guilford Court House, serving with Lafayette and at the Siege of Yorktown.
MILITARY.
It is difficult after a lapse of half a century to give a correct roster of the soldiers who participated in the Revolutionary war, as no regular or authentic records have been kept, and owing to the destruction of the records of the Revolution by the British in 1812, but few of the names of the soldiers of that war are now known who served from the territory now embraced in West Vir- ginia or who may have emigrated to this part of the country.
At the time of the Revolutionary war, the territory now embraced in Brax- ton county belonged to the county of Augusta, and while that grand old county was noted for its patriotism and the splendid soldiers she furnished the war, this portion of the county was yet in an unconquered wilderness. It had neither soldiers, scouts, pioneers nor hunters. While a few of the old soldiers came to the bounds of Braxton county after the war and made this their home and were buried here, yet during the Revolutionary struggle there were no white inhabitants nearer than the Monongahela valley, extending as far south and west as the present site of Clarksburg, the West Fork as far up as Hacker's creck and the Buckhannon settlement.
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