A History of Knapps Creek

 

A History of Knapps Creek

Knapps Creek is a creek located in the eastern part of Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It is fed by two branches that flow from the Allegheny Mountains, and it eventually empties into the Greenbrier River at Ronceverte. The creek is named after a man named Knapp who came to the valley from Virginia before 1742.

Early Inhabitants and Settlements

Before European settlement, the area surrounding Knapps Creek was covered in dense forests. Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, lived in the region and used the area for hunting and fishing. Evidence of their presence has been found in the form of flint arrowheads and Indian burial grounds.

One of the first settlers to arrive in the Knapps Creek Valley was Michael Dougherty, an Irishman who settled in 1770. Around the same year, James Moore of Virginia arrived. Moore later acquired land from J.L. Knapps, and his descendants still own some of this land. Two steel bear traps belonging to James Moore's grandson, I.B. Moore, are still in existence.

James Moore's original cabin was built on land now owned by Mrs. Myrtle Moore. He was a hunter and would often spend several days in the upper end of the valley. On one occasion, while reading the Bible, he was surprised and captured by five or six Native Americans. They took him to their camp but released him unharmed.

Other early settlers included Felix Grimes and his wife, John Liry, Sr., Christopher Heidy, Henry Harper, and John Miller. They settled in the community between 1800 and 1820.

Early settlers faced the challenge of clearing the dense forests to build their homes and establish farms. They used simple tools, such as axes, to clear the land and build their homes.

Land Ownership and Development

Land grants show that one early settler had a tract of timber land containing 11,000 acres. By 1927, only 60 acres of valuable timber remained. Many of the hardy pioneers were granted land by James Moore, John Tyler, and other landowners between 1800 and 1825. The value of land in the area was low at that time, with one acre costing 16.7 cents.

Industries and Mills

The abundance of timber in the region led to the establishment of several sawmills along Knapps Creek. One early mill was located on land now owned by D.W. Devers, who also had a half-acre lot near the mill. Another prominent mill was built and operated by Henry Harper on the Lockridge farm where Dougherty Creek unites with Knapps Creek. Harper's mill was the last of its kind in the community and continued operating until 1950.

E.A. Pritchard built the first circular sawmill in the area in August 1949. Many people came to see the new mill in operation.

In addition to sawmills, Knapps Creek also had several gristmills. Joseph Sharp, a pioneer citizen, built a gristmill in 1888 on the same run where A. W. Devers resided. The village of Frost also had a gristmill that ground wheat, corn, and buckwheat.

The Sarver Mill, a sawmill owned by Harmon Shinnsberry, also had a tanyard and a gristmill. The gristmill used a two-hammer mill, not a water-powered mill, and the kernels for grinding were crushed between two large revolving stones. The grain for the mill came from Greenbrier County, Virginia.

These mills played a vital role in the local economy, providing employment and processing lumber and grain for the community. The transition from water-powered mills to more modern technology, as seen in the case of Sarver Mill, reflects the changing times and advancements in milling technology.

Transportation and Infrastructure

During the early years, travel in the Knapps Creek Valley was difficult due to the lack of roads. The first road was made on the opposite side of the valley from the present-day road. Travel to the Ferrera Mill involved going horseback.

The road to Huntersville was initially known as Knapp's Spur or The Spur Road. Later, it became known as Irvine Valley. The road was improved over time, with fields fenced and clover planted along the Allegheny side. It was later changed to accommodate increased traffic.

Churches and Religion

In 1835, Zion Church, a log structure, was built near Knapps Creek. The church has been remodeled and repaired over the years but is still used for worship. Prior to its construction, people in the area attended services at Mt. Zion.

A notable spot on Knapps Creek is a defective feature in the Mt. Vernon Church, erected in 1866. This imperfection resulted from the carpenter using a knot in the lumber while working on the church, which was planned by John Zirkle.

The M.E. Church at Frost was dedicated in 1868. The opening prayer was offered by Rev. T. Price of Marlinton, and the dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Jesse DeHaven of Huntersville. George Spencer gave an address in charge.

Early religious services in the area were often held in homes, as seen with the Lutheran pastor in 1875. The church also served as a schoolhouse for some years after its construction.

Military History

During the Civil War, Union soldiers frequently passed through the Knapps Creek area. General Averill, a Union commander, even had his army office in Frost. While the sources mention Union activity in the area, they do not specify any battles or skirmishes that occurred in the vicinity of Knapps Creek.

Postal Service

In 1888, a post office was established at Frost. Francis Dever, the first postmaster, served for nineteen years. Initially, mail was only delivered once a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. One of the early mail routes ran from Huntersville to Mill Gap. Later, "Uncle Sam" provided a rural free delivery route to the people in the area.