Indian Raids in Pocahontas County

 

Indian Raids in Pocahontas County: A Look at Their Limited Impact and Notable Events

While the sources acknowledge that Pocahontas County experienced Indian raids, they emphasize that the area was less severely affected compared to neighboring regions like Greenbrier, Randolph, and Pendleton counties. This relative safety was likely attributed to its geographical location.

The sources provide insights into the motivations behind some of these raids, particularly those originating from the Shawnee tribe. The Shawnees, initially residing in present-day Pendleton County, were driven westward by an influx of Irish and Scotch settlers who they perceived as oppressive. Influenced by French promises to restore their lands if the English were defeated, the Shawnees readily allied themselves with the French during the French and Indian War. This alliance led to several devastating raids on the South Branch settlements, often using routes that passed through what is now Pocahontas County on their way to and from their targets.

Despite this, the sources primarily focus on two specific raids that directly impacted Pocahontas County:

• The Warwick Home Attack at Clover Lick: The sources lack clarity regarding the exact date and origin of the attackers but provide a vivid account of the event based on local knowledge. The Warwick family was absent during the raid, but an elderly enslaved man named Sam and a young boy named Ben witnessed the attack. The attackers, believed to be Indians, ransacked the house, stole clothing and food supplies, and burned the buildings. The sources highlight Sam's escape and Ben's hiding as they tried to avoid capture.
• The Drinnen Raid: This raid, taking place at Lawrence Drinnen's cabin near the present-day Marlinton Fairgrounds, is better documented, though the exact year remains uncertain. The sources suggest that this raid might have been carried out by the same group responsible for the attack on the Warwick home, possibly using the Warrior's Road as their route. The raid resulted in the death of Henry Baker, who was scalped while trying to reach the cabin. The attackers besieged the cabin but did not attempt to storm it, eventually leaving without further casualties. The sources recount the heroic efforts of Nathan, an enslaved man, who alerted settlers at Fort Keckley, leading to a rescue party and the gathering of residents from the surrounding areas for safety.

The impact of these raids, though limited in scope, had lasting consequences:

• Fear and Fortification: The raids instilled fear among the settlers, prompting them to construct fortified homes and community forts for protection. The sources describe the various forts that provided refuge during times of danger, including Fort Keckley (later Fort Day and Fort Price), Fort Warwick, and the Warwick residence at Clover Lick.
• Loss of Life and Property: The raids resulted in the loss of life, as exemplified by the death of Henry Baker during the Drinnen Raid and the Bridger boys who were killed while trying to reach Fort Keckley. The destruction of property, including homes and livestock, further disrupted the lives of the settlers.
• Community Resilience: Despite the hardships, the sources highlight the resilience of the Pocahontas County settlers. Their collective efforts to warn each other, form rescue parties, and seek refuge in forts demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and determination in the face of danger.

The sources paint a picture of Pocahontas County as a region that, while experiencing the anxieties of the frontier, was fortunate to escape the large-scale devastation witnessed in neighboring areas. The accounts of specific raids, particularly the Drinnen Raid, serve as reminders of the ever-present threat faced by early settlers and the courage and resilience they displayed in building their lives in this new and challenging environment.