Migration Patterns to Pocahontas County

 

Migration Patterns to Pocahontas County

The sources describe a complex web of migration patterns to Pocahontas County, often involving multiple moves before families settled permanently in the area. Here is a breakdown of some specific families and their migration routes:

Ewing Family:

• Origins: The Ewing family originated in Scotland and were part of the Scotch-Irish migration to America.
• Route: The sources provide a specific example of William Ewing and his family. They initially settled in Pocahontas County but later migrated to Gallia County, Ohio in 1810. The town of Ewington, Ohio was named in their honor. This westward migration was common in the 19th century, as families sought new opportunities and land in expanding territories.
  • One of William's sons, Enoch, and his family continued their westward journey in 1853, settling in Hillsdale County, Michigan.
  • Other Ewing family members spread to various locations including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Washington.
• Significance: The Ewing family’s migration story highlights the westward expansion of the United States and the role of kinship networks in facilitating these moves. Families often followed each other to new locations, establishing communities and support systems in unfamiliar territories.

Radabaugh Family:

• Origins: While their exact origins are not mentioned, the sources provide information about two Greenbrier County families, the Ewings and the Radabaughs, who moved to southern Ohio.
• Route: The sources do not detail their exact route to Ohio, but given the time period (1811), they likely traveled overland using established roads or trails.
• Significance: The Radabaugh family’s migration, alongside the Ewings, demonstrates the interconnectedness of settlement patterns in Appalachia. Families often moved within a regional network, relocating to neighboring counties or states with established connections.

Moore Family:

• Origins: Moses Moore, the patriarch of one branch of the Moore family in Pocahontas County, settled on Knapps Creek around 1770.
• Route: The sources note that “traces of the original cabin remained for years”, suggesting that the family established a homestead and remained in the area.
• Significance: The Moore family’s presence in Pocahontas County highlights the importance of family ties and land inheritance in shaping settlement patterns. Descendants of Moses Moore continued to live on and near the original homestead for generations.

Other Families:

• McNeel Family: John McNeel is mentioned as a pioneer of “The Levels” whose daughter married Moses Moore around 1770. His grandson, John A. McNeel, recounts family history passed down through generations.
• Sharp Family: William Sharp Sr. came to Pocahontas County from Rockingham County, Virginia in 1802, seeking land for his large family. He settled near Frost. His descendants spread throughout the region and beyond, with some marrying into other prominent Pocahontas County families like the McCollams, Dilleys, and Waddells.
• Cochran Family: The Cochrans, a prominent family on Droop Mountain, absorbed many members of the James and Salisbury families through marriage. The James boys migrated to Ohio, while the Salisbury men settled in Braxton County and other parts of West Virginia. This dynamic highlights the intermarriage between families as a significant factor in shaping community composition.

General Trends:

• Westward Movement: Several families, like the Ewings, Cackleys, and some branches of the Sharp and Cochran families, exemplify the broader trend of westward migration across the United States.
• Regional Networks: Many families moved within a regional network, relocating to nearby counties or states, such as from Highland County, Virginia, or Greenbrier County, West Virginia, to Pocahontas County. This suggests a pattern of gradual expansion and settlement along familiar routes and within established social circles.

The sources provide a glimpse into the diverse origins and migratory paths of families who contributed to the settlement and development of Pocahontas County. Their stories illustrate the interconnectedness of local and national histories, as families moved within regional networks and participated in the broader westward expansion of the United States.