How Pocahontas County Almost Became a part of the Province of Vandalia

 

Since there is no known picture of the Province of Vandalia in 1774, I am providing a picture of a map of the proposed Province of Vandalia from 1774.

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Map of the proposed Province of Vandalia from 1774

As you can see from the map, the Province of Vandalia was to be a large territory that included present-day West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and southeastern Ohio. The proposed capital of Vandalia was to be Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

However, the Province of Vandalia was never created. The American Revolution began in 1775, and the British government lost control of the territory that would have been Vandalia.

Document Citation:

1774, Sept. 1, pp. 281-291, inclusive. PETITION TO KING GEORGE. Signed by 107 men residing in West Virginia west of Greenbrier River, protesting against the formation of the Province of Vandalia. Sent to Governor Dunmore and by him forwarded to the King with a long letter endorsing it. Manuscript copy in this Department.

Summary:

This document is a petition to King George III from 107 men residing in West Virginia west of the Greenbrier River. The petition protests the formation of the Province of Vandalia, which would have merged West Virginia with parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The petitioners argued that the formation of Vandalia would be unfair to them, as they would be underrepresented in the new province's government. They also argued that it would be inconvenient to travel to the new provincial capital, which was to be located in Pittsburgh.

The petition was sent to Governor Dunmore of Virginia, who forwarded it to the King with a long letter endorsing it. However, the King rejected the petition, and Vandalia was formed in 1775.

Significance:

This petition is significant because it shows the growing opposition to British rule in West Virginia in the years leading up to the American Revolution. The petitioners were willing to stand up to the British government and demand their rights, even though they knew that they could be punished for doing so.

The petition is also significant because it provides a window into the lives of ordinary people in West Virginia in the 18th century. The petitioners were farmers, tradesmen, and other members of the working class. They were concerned about the impact that British policies would have on their families and communities.