USA > West Virginia > Monongalia County > History of Monongalia County, West Virginia, from its first settlements to the present time; with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 19
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JOSEPH SNIDER. See Page 531.
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY. 241
crop of that early day, Indian corn, was planted. Often this crop was planted and raised with no implement save the hoe. In their farm work these hardy pioneers used both oxen and horses-mostly the latter, whose harness consisted of a leather bridle, with reins and lines made of rope, and hames, collars, and back- and belly-bands. The rude plow was sometimes made entirely of wood; and, at best, never possessed more than a colter and share of iron. For the harrow a thorn-bush was often drafted into service, or the implement consisted of a wooden frame with wooden teeth. Wagons, there were none; in their stead were used sleds of various shapes and sizes. The forks and shovels were made of wood, or of iron rudely fashioned by the blacksmith. The saddle was the pack-saddle, which was constructed of the crotches of two forked limbs fastened together by two boards, which were padded with sheep-skin. About four inches of the limbs were left above the crotches for horn and crupper.
Edward Eggleston, in pointing out some of the useful things which the white settlers learned from the Indians, says that the art of making maple-sugar and the culture of the maize were learned from the savages, who planted the corn in hills, grew beans around the stalks, and filled the intervening space with pumpkin-vines, as some farmers do even to this day. The great factories of fish-manure along our Northern coast can be traced to the advice of the Indian given to the Pilgrims to put a fish in every hill of corn. Hominy and pone are Indian words; and there is hardly an approved method of cooking maize that the Indian did not know. The hoe-cake of the West and the Southern ash-cake or johnny-cake were made by the squaw. The white men in making use of corn-husk for chair-bottoms
16
242
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
and horse-collars, etc., got the hint from the custom of the Indians of making mats, baskets and shoes of this material. The birch canoe and the dug-out, which played so important a part in Colonial life, and which are still used, and the device of heating water by the use of hot stones, were gotten from the Red Men, who also had the corn-husking "bee " and the house "raising." The first Virginia settlers early learned from the savages to eat the meat of the snake, and a hundred years after the settlement rattlesnakes were re- garded as a great delicacy by some of the planters.
The corn was at first ground on the hand-mill, which con- sisted of two stones, one above the other, placed in a hoop. To this hoop was attached a spout for the discharge of the meal. To the upper stone was fastened an upright piece of wood, to the end of which was fixed a beam, and two per- sons could labor at the same time in turning the mill. Its capacity was about one bushel per day. The meal was used for food in form of johnny-cake, pone or mush. Cabbage and potatoes were raised in small quantities. At first corn sold for what would be a dollar per bushel in English cur- rency. Later, as more of it was produced, the price fell to twenty and twenty-five cents. Of the early public mills, Ruble's "tub-mill," built about 1779, across Cheat River, in Union District, near the Pennsylvania line, seems to have been among the first resorted to by the pioneers of Monon- galia. The next mill of which we have any record was on Decker's Creek, near Morgantown, built, as is supposed, about 1780, by Michael Kern. The construction of the tub- mill has been thus described : "The upper end of a perpen- dicular shaft was fitted in the bed-stone. The lower end of this shaft was attached to a water-wheel about four or five feet in diameter. When the wheel was sunk in the stream
243
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY.
the current turned it, and this motion was communicated to the bed-stone, which, turning against the stationary upper stone, ground the grain." Sieves were used instead of bolting-cloths, which were made of deer-skin stretched over a hoop, and perforated with a hot wire.
* After the close of the Revolutionary war, in those parts of the county freest of Indian incursions, fields were widen- ing out, and the settlers began to raise crops of wheat, oats and rye, and cattle, sheep and hogs. After 1790, copper stills were brought into the county to work up the rye into whiskey, which was made an article of exchange at Win- chester for salt and iron and taken down the Ohio to New Orleans. This liquor became noted throughout the country as "Old Monongahela Rye Whiskey."
Some time between 1790 and 1800, the tub-mill in some places was superseded by the more pretentious and more efficient water grist-mill, equipped with a set of country stones. Col. Samuel Hanway had one on Decker's Creek in 1796, Samuel Jackson one on Cheat, and Michael Kern one on Decker's Creek before 1800.
During the next decade, farms of considerable size were succeeding the pioneer clearings. With an abundance of land to be had for the clearing, the settlers gave no thought to the preservation of the fertility of the soil ._ A field was counted good for so many crops, and when exhausted another was cleared out to take its place. The grain was cut with the sickle, the reaper gathering a "grip," as it was called, with his left and cutting it with his right hand. Four grips generally made a sheaf. A reaper would cut from thirty-five to forty-five dozen per day. The men had reap- ing, mowing, chopping and hauling "frolics"; the women sewings, quiltings, flax-pullings and "scutchings." Thresh-
244
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
ing of grain was done with the flail, the Irishman's "two sticks of pleasure." An expert hand would flail out from twelve to fifteen bushels of wheat per day. The cleaning of the grain at the first was done with a sheet. Just at what time the wind-mill was introduced can not be ascer- tained, but probably not much before 1810.
The outer garments of these pioneer days were made of linsey, a cloth composed of flax and wool; the flax constitu- ted the chain and the wool formed the filling. In nearly every house was found a loom, roughly made indeed, yet answering well its purpose, and turning out as linsey a warm and substantial cloth. Nearly every housewife was a weaver, and also a tailor, cutting out and making all the garments for the family. Flax and tow goods supplied the place of muslin ; and the men to the tastefully fringed linsey hunting-shirt added the deer-skin vest and buck-skin breeches. The foot covering was the moccasin, made of a single piece of deer-skin or leather, without heel or sole. When improved with the addition of a tongue-piece on the top and a sole on the bottom, the moccasin became the "shoe-pack."
The first store in the county, it seems, was kept by Thomas Laidley, about 1784 or 1785, at Morgantown. Between' 1800 and 1815, Felix Scott had a store at Gran- ville, and Samuel Jackson one at his iron works on Cheat. In 1819, Lemuel John had a store at or near Stewarttown. These stores, however, did not effect the home manufacture of clothing. An old gentleman now living. writes the author, that, in 1823, "our clothing was chiefly all home manufactured. Our mothers used to shear the sheep and card the wool on hand-cards, and make rolls and spin them, and weave flannel or linsey. Often in two weeks after the
245
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY.
wool was taken from the sheeps' backs we had it on ours. In the summer we wore flaxen shirts and coats, and flax and tow pants. The young ladies wore flaxen dresses, striped with a part dyed with copperas, and were as tidy as young ladies could be."
Improved farm machinery, it is most probable, was not introduced long before 1840. In that year we have an account of John Durr, of Greene County, Penn., bringing a ground or chaff-piler threshing machine into the county, and setting it up first on the farm of Major W. W. John. It was an object of wonder to all, and was feared by some, who could not be induced to come near it for fear "it would bust." Joseph and George Hartman, in 1852, brought in a separator called the "Down's machine." Sometime after this, William E. Watson and E. J. Evans purchased mowing. machines, which are now numerous in the county. Mr. Watson made a rude horse hay-rake. The sulky hay- rake made its appearance after the late war. Grain reapers were not introduced till a considerable time after the use of mowers, and are not yet extensively used. The first steam thresher was brought into the county in 1882, by Lucian Snider. Another was brought by J. T. Weaver for C. W., J. M. and Conn Pixler, in July, 1883. The patent cider hand-mills have been used for some years. Nothing but the hand corn-planters are used yet. The sulky corn-plow has been in use by Thomas Anderson since 1882. Seed- sowing machines have been used since the year 1852, while grain drills have just been introduced.
Lime has been used as a fertilizer for many years, and always with good effect. It is said that its use adds one- fifth to the products of the soil. Guano was used with good effect as early as the year 1855, by James Kerns, of
1
246
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
Pleasant Valley. It is estimated by intelligent farmers that : the use of fertilizers in the past decade has added one-third to the yield in the crops with which they have been used. Soluble flour of bone and ammoniated super-phosphate are the favorate fertilizers with the farmers of Monongalia County, though many hold that lime, after barnyard manure, is the cheapest and best article for the soil of the county. When burnt and applied as quick-lime, it imparts fertility partly by being dissolved in the surface waters, and so passing into the soil in such shape that the roots of plants "‘ can seize hold of it, but mainly by tending to decompose vegetable matter and so form a fertilizing humus.
Market gardening, when once the resources of the county are developed and railways are constructed, will be no small source of revenue. In 1870, the products of market gardens were given at $470.
Fruit is a pretty sure crop .* Apple orchards were planted and bearing as early as 1779. The climate and soil permit the cultivation of any fruit which can be grown in the cooler parts of the temperate zone. The apple is by far the most important fruit raised in the county, and considerable atten- tion has been paid to securing improved varieties. The peach was formerly cultivated more extensively than now. It is being largely supplanted by the apple, owing to the increasing uncertainty of the crop, due to unfavorable winds and early frosts. Some pears and quinces are pro-
* In January, 1831, snow fell to the depth of three feet-the deepest since 1780. On the 15th of May, 1834, the snow was four inches deep in places, and ice one-third of an inch in thickness formed. The summer of 1854 is known as the " Dry Summer."
: When the light of day broke on Sunday, June 5, 1859, the trees and the earth were white as with a heavy snow. A great frost had fallen, and when the sun rose up in the eastern heavens, drooping leaf and wilting blade were cause of alarm to an excited people. Many supposed there would be a famine. Grain advanced with a bound to a high price. People turned from the wheat crop ruined, and, breaking up large fields, planted them in buckwheat, corn and potatoes. The remainder of the season proved favorable, and large crops were gathered from these late plantings.
-
247
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY.
duced, and several varieties of cherries. Most of the small fruits cultivated in the temperate zone do well here.
Fish culture was begun in the county in the year 1881. On the 29th of April, Wm. S. Cobun, received ninety Ger- man carp from one of the Fish Commissioners of the State, for himself and Lewis Runner.
.Monongalia is well adapted in soil and productions, and favored in climate for the successful raising of cattle, horses and sheep. In the last twenty years, the native stock has been greatly improved. The Durham was here as early as 1850. Thomas F. Watson, "Eck" Morgan, T. H. Morgan and others introduced short-horn cattle, and the Ralphsny- ders and others the Alderney, and Merino sheep from the Washington County (Pa.) stock. D. C. Hoffman, in 1878, brought in registered Jersey cattle from Maryland, and fine Merino sheep from Greene County, Penn. Capt. O. P. Jolliffe and James S. Watson have Southdown sheep. The Devon stock has been introduced. Attention also has been paid to the improving of the breed of draught horses. The American merino sheep do better in West Virginia than the French or German varieties.
"The soil of Monongalia is a loam, varying from sandy to clayey, with some calcareous lands. The strata of the coal measures above the conglomerate produce the best class of soils, since they consist of shales, argillaceous sandstones, and layers of limestone, or calcareous strata, intimately mixed. All is naturally productive and well suited for grass. The depth on the hills is from six to fifteen inches, deepest on the northwest sides; on the levels from one to several feet. Average yields are: corn, thirty to forty bush- els; oats, twenty-five to thirty-five bushels; wheat, when succeeding, ten to twelve bushels ; potatoes, seventy-five to
248
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
one hundred and fifty bushels. There is not much differ- ence in the product of the hills and levels. Value of agri- cultural land, from $10 to $75."*
As early as 1854-on the 24th of December-"The Monongalia Agricultural and Mechanical Society " was organized at the court-house. Col. James Evans was elected president, M. M. Dent secretary, and William Wag- ner treasurer. The society sought to buy grounds and start a fair on the west side of the Monongahela, but never suc- ceeded.
Subsequent efforts in this direction were more successful, and on the 7th of January, 1869, "The Monongahela Valley Agricultural and Mechanical Society" was incorporated.t Its charter extended to 1889; capital authorized, $10,000, in shares of $25. This society held nine annual fairs at Morgantown. Its presidents were, 1869-72, William Wag- ner; 1872-5, E. H. Coombs; 1875, William C. McGrew; 1876, E. C. Lazier; 1877-9, E. H. Coombs. Manliff Hayes was the vice-president during its entire existence, which extended from 1869 to 1879, its last exhibition being in 1878. It was succeeded by the "Monongalia Agricultural Association."# which organized June 23, 1879, by electing Col. Joseph Snider president, and Ed. W. Brand vice- president, who continued to fill these offices till 1882, when the society dissolved. This association held three fairs, the last closing September 15, 1881. The receipts not being sufficient to meet expenses, the organization discontinued.
* " Resources of West Virginia," (Wheeling, 1876,) p. 395.
+ Incorporators : J. H. Hoffman, Wm. Wagner, Samuel Howell, Manliff Hayes, J. P. Shafer, W. T. Willey, E. C. Lazier, W. A. Hanway, W. P. Willey, J. M. Hagans, J. K. Durr, J. C. Wallace, L. S. Layton, A. L. Wade and J. H. Hoffman & Co.
# Stockholders : Col. Joseph Snider, Frederick Breakiron, Major W. W. John, Ed. W. Brand, Manliff Hayes, S. B. McVicker, P. F. Harner, E. J. Evans, A. Garrison, Ed. W. St. Clair and J. E. Dent.
249
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY.
PRICES OF FARM PRODUCTS FROM 1821 TO 1883, On January 1st of each year .*
YEAR.
Wheat
per bushel.
Corn
Oats
per bushel.
Butter per pound.
Eggs
Potatoes
per bushel.
per pound.
per pound.
per bushel.
Buckwheat
per bushel.
1821
50
50
33
16
10
6
216
40
...
1825.
37
20
12
8
1826.
37
25
1216
8
1827.
40
25
16
8
1829
75
31
20
8
2%
21%
37
1830 .
50
25
25
833
3
21
33
1831.
44
31
18
1832
62
31
20
8
3
21/
37
1833.
62
25
20
8
1834.
62
37
20
8
1885
62
31
16
10
1836.
87
37
25
10
1837
1 10
40
25
12%
25
4
50
1838
1 00
50
25
121%
75
4
1839
1 00
75
50
15
25
15
5
4
1841
50
31
20
10
31/2
3
1842
75
31
25
10
3
5
1843
50
25
16
8
3
214
21/2
1844.
62
25
16
8
1845
75
25
16
8
212
2
1846
75
1848
87%
50
25
121%
1850
1 00
45
31
12
8
1851
75
1852.
60
40
31
15
10
1853
65
371%
25
16%
121%
1854
1 00
40
3373
15
9
50
1855
1 75
75
50
15
1 00
12
1857
1 00
50
25
12
37
16
1859
1 00
75
40
12
75
12
1860
1 25
50
30
15
40
1865
2 00
1 00
75
35
15
1 25
15
8
1 25
1 25
1867
2 75
05
45
25
12
1 00
16
16
1 25
75
1868
2 25
1 00
45
30
12
1 00
15
16
1 25
75
1869
1 75
90
50
33
20
1870
1 10
75
40
30
20
65
22
15
1 00
1 00
1871
1 00
65
50
25
20
62
20
12
80
1 00
1872.
1 25
60
60
20
20
50
8
10
80
1 00
1873
1 85
50
40
30
25
50
10
12
1 00
1 00
1874
1 80
50
40
30
15
50
9
15
1 00
1 00
1875
1 20
60
50
30
15
90
12
15
1 00
1 00
1876.
1 50
60
60
25
20
50
12
15
1 00
1 00
1877
1 20
40
25
20
12
50
18
15
1 00
1 00
1878
1 30
40
25
20
20
40
12
15
75
1879
75
40
25
10
15
60
14
50
12
10
1881
1 00
45
35
20
22
60
121/2
12
1882.
1 30
75
45
25
20
1 00
18
15
50
1883.
1 10
65
50
25
20
60
18
15
80
cents
cents
$ cts.
cents
cents
$ cts.
$ cts.
$ cts.
$ cts. cents
17
3
37
1822.
25
25
216
21/2
31
2
2
33
212
2
33
213
A
217
40
316
3
33
41
50
2
75
1840
62
· 37
25
10
3
31/2
44
37
12
8
10
25
12
1856
1 50
37
37
15
8
75
12
1858. .
60
37
60
40
25
20
1 50
10
12
1866.
2 25
37
31
10
15
12
37
1 25
1 15
Wheat was highest in the summer of 1867, when the price was $3.25.
* Carefully compiled from newspapers and private diaries.
Beef
Rye
..
121/
75
1880
1 25
50
40
20
21
33
3
523
per dozen.
Bacon
per bushel.
250 HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
The following table, compiled from the Federal census reports, exhibits the number of acres of land in the county, value of the farms, the farm machinery ; number of horses, etc., and value thereof; and the detailed agricultural pro- ductions, with values, etc. :
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS, ETC., FOR THE YEARS 1860, 1870 AND 1880.
1860.
1870.
1880.
LANDS, STOCK, ETC.
Acres of land in improved farms
92,048
112,045
138,032
66
66
86,310
80,662
Cash value of farms ...
$2,884,916
4,724,358
5,218,813
Value farm implements & machinery
$59,257
83,187
92,597
Number of Horses.
66
Mules and asses.
32
36
93
3,881
4,606
5,559
680
761
452
7,090
7,743
11,156
66
Sheep.
10,945
17,371
26,697
60
Swine
8,028
7,324
10,155
Value of live stock
$454,070
871,260
651,392
Wheat, bushels of
49,124
111,805
96,916
Rye,
66
4,999
5,130
1,858
Corn,
66
126,198
148,072
72,988
Tobacco, pounds of.
1,380
2,733
11,330
Wool,
66
27,801
55,856
108,185
Peas and beans, bushels of.
41
25
Irish potatoes,
10,586
23,772
31,335
Sweet 66
565
435
2,145
Barley,
66
13,798
1,575
8,164
Wine, gallons of.
45
3
Butter, pounds of.
171,876
345,573
459,835
Cheese,
6,116
1,030
4,061
Hay, tons
6,353
12,030
6,517
Clover and grass seeds, bushels of ..
376
309
Hops, pounds of.
32
13
Flax,
5,998
540
Maple sugar, pounds of.
32,608
24,274
Maple molasses, gallons of
1,812
733
Sorghum 66
7,722
36,504
Beeswax, pounds of.
111
32
Honey,
8,271
10,710
Home-made manufactures, value of
$13,290
12,928
Animals slaughtered or sold for
slaughter, value of ...
$46,994
304,006
Estimated value of all farm products.
$1,141,914
497,415
....
$9,376
37,427
27,571
Orchard products,
value of.
$103
470
Market garden products, value of.
161
80
Buckwheat
239,024
301.328
441,587
Oats,
Working oxen
other cattle.
3,904
4,238
4,513
unimproved
Milch cows.
GRAIN AND PRODUCE.
251
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY.
NOTE .- In the matter of "the estimated value of all farm prod- ucts," in the foregoing table, no statement is given in the report for 1860. The heading of the column in the report for 1870 is, "Value of all farm products, including betterments and additions to stock "; while that for 1880 is, "Value of all farm productions (sold, consumed and on hand) for 1879." It will be observed that the statement of value for 1870 includes matters excluded in that for 1880. It this latter year we have for the first time the " cost of building and repairing fences," which for Monongalia County is given at $41,203.
The numerous blanks in the column for 1880 are owing to the fact that the specific information has not yet been published from the Census Department.
SIZES OF FARMS.
1860(1870
Number under 10 acres
69
of 10 and under 20 acres
66
20
50
66
50
66
100
66
433
509
66
100
500
335
353
500
66 1000
60
6
7
. .
1000 acres and over
2
11
134
159
481
The number of farms in the county in 1880 is given at 2,013; in 1870, 1555. The value of the forest's products for the same year, $25,743; total amount of wages paid farm- hands, including value of board, in 1880, $49,076; cost of fertilizers purchased in 1879, $4,336. The county produced 229 bushelsof flax seed in 1860; no statement of the pro- duction is given in subsequent reports.
Statistical reports previous to 1860, are comparatively meagre. Very many items of interest contained in the cen- sus reports for 1860 to '80, are lacking in these reports of earlier years. What can be gathered from those reports at hand follow :
252 HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
PRODUCED.
1840
1850.
Wheat, bushels of
166,496
52,370
Rye,
6,259
2,921
Corn,
381,316
184,379
Buckwheat "
8,936
2,964
Oats,
320,092
111,252
Potatoes, Irish, bushels of.
8,016
sweet
..
....
392
Tobacco, pounds of ..
14,915
3,750
Hops,
636
179
Flax,
6.938|
6,013
Grass seeds, bushels of.
536
Molasses, sorghum, gallons of.
51,316
29,129
Butter,
66
145,178
Cheese,
10,784
Honey,
....
$9,582
301
Number of Horses
5,560
2,790
Working oxen.
423
6.
other cattle
5,188
Sheep
28,817
13.015
Swine.
19,885
8,121
MISCELLANEOUS.
58,536
unimproved
68,047
Value of farm implements
$50,939
of farms
$1,569,392
...
930
8,118
Orchard products, value of ..
LIVE STOCK,
...
2,999
Beans and Peas,
615
Hay, tons of.
2,403
Wool, pounds of.
Mules and asses.
10
Milch cows
2,905
Acres . improved
The writer has in his possession "A List of Lands and Lots returned as Delinquent, in Monongalia County, Va., for the non-payment of taxes, for 1820, and prior thereto," which was made out and printed in conformity to an act of the General Assembly passed April 1, 1831. The document is a pamphlet of fifty-eight large pages, divided into col- umns showing the names and residences of the owners, number of acres in each tract, and "local description of the land," with its distance and bearing from the court-house, and the years for which taxes were due, the amount for each year, and the aggregate. The year 1787 is the earliest for which taxes are put down as unpaid in this large list. About 2,500 tracts are named in the list, lying in all parts of the then extensive territory of Monongalia. In the col-
253
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY.
umn of "local description of land," we have the following names : Muddy creek, Sandy, Scott's run, Dunkard, Mon on- galia, Cheat, Three-fork, Snowy creek, Meadow run, Laurel run, White-day, Pawpaw, Crooked run, Booth's creek, Cole- man's creek, Mill creek, Buffaloe, Buffalow, Hazel run, Co- burn creek, White Day creek, Free-fork creek, Colburn's creek, Beaver creek, Tyger (also Tygar) Valley, Glady creek, Decker's creek, Prickett's creek, Monongalia river, Swamps, Harper town, Hether run, Grady creek, Yohogany, Three Fork, Dunkard, Little river, Glade run, Valley river, West Fork [of] Valley river, Wickwire's creek, Bull run, Aaron's creek, Pawpaw, Laurel Hill, Farro's run, Green's run, Indian creek, Deep run, Raccoon, Little creek, Dillow's creek, Zauyll. run, Round run, Swamp run, Sand spring, Corban's creek, State spring, Green Glades, Ruble's run, Fauquire, Wickware's creek, Miracle run, Wolf creek, Stew- art's run, Doll's run, Robinson's run, Salt Lick, Smithfield, " Darrow's run-Farrow's run-Garrow's run," Plum run and Bull creek. In the table of town lots we find the names of the towns of Morgantown, Kingwood, Granville, Smith- field and Machanic Town.
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CHAPTER XVII.
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY.
Decker Creek Iron Works-Cheat River Iron Works-Davis or Pleasant, Woodgrove, Henry Clay and Anna Furnaces-Clin- ton Furnace-Hawthorne's Nail Works-Powder Mill-Mill Stones-Woolen Factories-Paper Mill-Potteries-Carriage Works-Foundries-Furniture Works-Borings for Oil-Salt Making-Gold Seeking-Coke Burning-Preston Company- Statistical.
"In places wherein thriving manufactories have erected themselves, land has been observed to sell quicker, and for more years' purchase, than in other places."-Locke. " The most opulent nations, indeed, generally excel all their neighbors in agricul- ture, as well as in manufactures ; but they are eminently more distinguished by their superiority in the latter than in the former."-Adam Smith.
THE first industry carried on in the county was the manu- facture of iron. In 1789, the first iron ever made west of the Alleghany Mountains was turned out at old Alliance Furnace in Pennsylvania, not fifty miles from Morgantown. In the following year the fires of Springhill Furnace were lighted just beyond the county line. Who were the first iron-masters of Monongalia? None can tell. As a matter of history the burnt records of 1796 have swept it away, and the memory of the oldest inhabitant fails to supply the loss.
DECKER CREEK IRON WORKS .- Also known as the old " Rock Forge," were said to have been standing in 1798. In volume two, at page 34, of the county court order-book, on August 12th, 1800, is recorded an order for " a road from Samuel Hanway's mill and iron works down Decker's Creek." John Stealey* advertised for hands at this furnace in 1815.
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