Dutch Bottom is a remote area in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It is located on the Williams River, about 10 miles north of Marlinton, the county seat. The area is named for the Dutch immigrants who settled there in the 1840s.
The history of Dutch Bottom is closely tied to the story of the Dutch immigrants who settled there. The first Dutch immigrants arrived in the area in 1842, led by the Reverend John Schemerhorn. Schemerhorn had been impressed by the beauty of the Pocahontas highlands, and he believed that the area would be a good place for Dutch immigrants to settle.
The Dutch immigrants who came to Dutch Bottom were mostly farmers and tradesmen. They were drawn to the area by the promise of cheap land and abundant resources. The land was fertile, and there was plenty of timber and water. The Dutch immigrants quickly set to work building homes and clearing the land for farming.
At first, the Dutch immigrants were successful in their new home. They built a thriving community with a church, a school, and a sawmill. However, the winters in Dutch Bottom were cold and the land was difficult to farm. As a result, many of the Dutch immigrants eventually left the area.
By the end of the 19th century, the Dutch community in Dutch Bottom had dwindled. However, some of the Dutch immigrants remained in the area. They raised families and passed down their culture and traditions. Today, there are still a few descendants of the Dutch immigrants living in Dutch Bottom.
In addition to the Dutch immigrants, other groups of people have also lived in Dutch Bottom over the years. In the early 20th century, a group of homesteaders settled in the area. The homesteaders were looking for a place to live simply and close to nature. However, many of the homesteaders eventually left Dutch Bottom, unable to make a living from the land.
In the 1960s and 1970s, another wave of people came to Dutch Bottom. These people were part of the back-to-the-land movement, and they were looking for a place to live a self-sufficient lifestyle. Many of the back-to-the-landers built homes and farms in Dutch Bottom. However, some of them eventually left, unable to adapt to the harsh climate and isolated lifestyle.
Today, Dutch Bottom is a largely uninhabited area. There are a few scattered homes and farms, but the community is no longer what it once was. However, the area is still a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing. Dutch Bottom is a historic place with a rich cultural heritage. It is a reminder of the challenges and hardships faced by immigrants in the United States. It is also a reminder of the resilience and determination of the human spirit.
According to the passage, Elizabeth Hannah was married to Marinus J. Van Reenan, a native of Holland. His father's family was part of a group of Dutch immigrants who were persuaded to colonize Laurel Run in 1842 by the Reverend John Schemerhorn of New York. However, the highlands of Pocahontas were not suitable for people from a populous Dutch city, and after many hardships, the colony disbanded. Some of the immigrants went west, while others stayed in Pocahontas.
The passage also mentions the Stultings, who were also part of this group of immigrants. It is not clear if Elizabeth Hannah was related to the Stultings, but it is possible that they met through the Dutch immigrant community in Iowa.
The passage is interesting because it provides a glimpse into the lives of Dutch immigrants in the United States in the mid-19th century. It is clear that these immigrants faced many challenges, but they also made significant contributions to their new communities.
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