The County That Baxter Built

 

A brief history of the formation of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, in 1821. The passage states that the county was formed from parts of Bath, Pendleton, and Randolph counties, and that it was named in honor of the Native American princess Pocahontas.

The passage also mentions that Colonel John Baxter of Stony Creek was very active in bringing about the organization of the new county. Baxter was a prominent figure in the region, and he was instrumental in the development of Pocahontas County.

Finally, the passage states that the intention was to name the county embracing the crown of the Alleghanies "Alleghany," and the other lower down "Pocahontas." However, for unknown reasons, the names were reversed.

Here is a timeline of the events described in the passage:

• 1821: The Virginia General Assembly passes an act creating Pocahontas County from parts of Bath, Pendleton, and Randolph counties.
• 1821: Colonel John Baxter of Stony Creek helps to organize the new county.
• 1821: The county is named in honor of the Native American princess Pocahontas.
• 1821: The intention is to name the county embracing the crown of the Alleghanies "Alleghany," and the other lower down "Pocahontas." However, the names are reversed.
  
• It states that the county is located from 37 degrees 40 minutes to 38 degrees 45 minutes North Latitude, and from 79 degrees 35 minutes to 80 degrees 24 minutes West Longitude. This means that Pocahontas County is located in the eastern part of West Virginia, near the border with Virginia.

  The passage also mentions that the true meridian station mark of sandstone is located in the courthouse grounds in Marlinton, the county seat. This marker is used to measure the magnetic declination, which is the difference between the true north and the magnetic north.

  The passage also describes some of the distinctive features of Pocahontas County, including its high elevation and its numerous rivers. The county is located in the Allegheny Mountains, and it is home to some of the highest peaks in West Virginia. The Greenbrier River, the Williams River, and Knapps Creek are all major rivers that flow through the county.

  The passage concludes by describing the junction of Knapps Creek and the Greenbrier River in Marlinton. This junction is significant because it is located at the confluence of two major river systems.

  Here is a summary of the key points from the passage:

• Pocahontas County, West Virginia is located in the eastern part of the state, near the border with Virginia.
• The county has a high elevation and is home to some of the highest peaks in West Virginia.
• The Greenbrier River, the Williams River, and Knapps Creek are all major rivers that flow through the county.
• The junction of Knapps Creek and the Greenbrier River in Marlinton is significant because it is located at the confluence of two major river systems.

• The passage you provided describes the tributaries of the Greenbrier River in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It also includes an interesting tradition about the origin of the name Knapps Creek.

  The passage states that the Greenbrier River has many tributaries in Pocahontas County, including:

• Deer Creek and Sitlingtons Creek from the east
• Leatherbark, Warwicks Run, and Clover Creek from the west (in north Pocahontas)
• Thorny Creek and Knapps Creek (with its branches Douthards and Cochran's creeks, Cumming's and Brown's creeks) from the east; Stony Creek and Swago Creek from the west (in central Pocahontas)
• Stamping Creek, Locust Creek, and Trough Run from the west, and Beaver Creek, Laurel Run, and Spice Run from the east (in south Pocahontas)

The passage also states that the Elk region in the northwest is drained by the Old Field Fork, Slaty Fork, and Big Spring Branch of Elk River.

The passage then goes on to describe a tradition about the origin of the name Knapps Creek. The tradition states that the creek is named after Knapp Gregory, a solitary and eccentric man who reported to parties in the lower Valley of Virginia that he had seen water flowing towards the west. This report led to Marlin and Sewall's exploration of the region and their founding of Marlin's Bottom in 1749. The site of Knapp Gregory's cabin is still visible near the public road, about two miles from Driscol.

Knapp Gregory is reported to have disappeared from the Creek suddenly and mysteriously. When seen last he was in pursuit of a deer near the Lockridge fording. It was supposed by some that he might have been drowned, while others suspect that he may have been killed and robbed by some suspicious looking characters that had been seen about the same time, by scouts from Augusta County. 

East Pocahontas is mountainous and in former years heavily timbered with white pine and much other valuable timber, and abounds in iron ores. Central Pocahontas consists largely of limestone lands, much of it is nicely cleared, and cultivated in grains and grasses. 

West Pocahontas has more mountains, vast forests of timber of varied valuable kinds, and the indications are to the effect that much coal of great commercial value is ready for development. Theretofore this region was called the Wilderness, or Wilds of Pocahontas, having been, comparatively speaking, an unbroken and well nigh an impenetrable region. 

Throughout Pocahontas County there is such an abundance of purest, freshest waters as beggars all ordinary powers of description. Literally it is a land of “springs and fountains,” beyond the dreams of poetic diction to portray realistically. Some of these springs gushing from the earth, even in midsummer show undiminished volume, and with a temperature but little above that of iced water'. 

Sourced from Historical sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, by William T. Price.