tell me the history of slavery in Pocahontas County West Virginia
Slavery existed in Pocahontas County, West Virginia from its earliest settlement, though not in large numbers due to the county's mountainous terrain and small farms.
Slaves were present in Pocahontas County from the earliest years of European settlement, but not in extensive numbers, as farms were generally not large[1]. The county's economy was primarily based on livestock grazing and small-scale agriculture, which did not require large slave labor forces.
In 1861, when Virginia voted on secession from the Union, Pocahontas County voters strongly supported secession by a vote of 360 to 13[1]. This indicates that pro-slavery sentiment was prevalent in the county, despite the relatively small number of enslaved people.
During the Civil War, Pocahontas County became part of the front lines between Union and Confederate forces. The county saw several battles and military movements, including a brief visit by Robert E. Lee[1]. Sons from Pocahontas County fought for both the Union and Confederate armies during the conflict[1].
After West Virginia achieved statehood in 1863, slavery was gradually phased out in the new state, including in Pocahontas County. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, officially abolished slavery throughout the United States, marking the end of the institution in Pocahontas County and the rest of West Virginia.
Citations:
[1] Pocahontas County - e-WV https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1876
[2] History of slavery in West Virginia - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_West_Virginia
[3] A Civil War Trail Road Trip through Nature's Mountain Playground https://pocahontascountywv.com/a-civil-war-trail-road-trip-through-natures-mountain-playground/
[4] [PDF] SLAVERY AND THE FORMATION OF WEST VIRGINIA, 1850-1868 ... https://etd.auburn.edu/bitstream/handle/10415/4209/MacKenzie%20Dissertation%202%20Binding.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=2
[5] In Pocahontas County, Deep Divisions and a Gruesome Discovery https://longreads.com/2020/01/21/in-pocahontas-county-deep-divisions-and-a-gruesome-discovery/
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