Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewall were the first people of English or Scotch-Irish descent to spend a winter in what is now Pocahontas County in 1750-51. They initially camped together in the delta formed by Marlin Run and Knapp’s Creek but later separated. Colonel Andrew Lewis found them living apart—Marlin in a cabin and Sewall in a hollow sycamore tree. The area around Marlin Run and Knapp’s Creek holds historical significance, including the burial site of a child who died during an Indian raid.
Moses Moore and his family experienced various challenges and hardships during their time in Pocahontas County. Moore served as a scout and defender of the forts during conflicts with Native American tribes. His daughter Phebe recalled their family's refuge at the fort in Mill Point during the Drennan raid, where James Baker and the Bridger boys were killed. While at home one morning, Moore narrowly escaped an attack by a group of warriors.
Richard Hill, a pioneer settler, had a close call with death during an Indian raid. A Native American warrior intended to kill both James Baker, a schoolmaster, and Hill. However, due to a miscalculation, the warrior only managed to kill Baker. Hill later settled on the Greenbrier River, where he established a home and raised his family.
John Barlow, a pioneer of French descent, played a significant role in the development of Pocahontas County. He married Barbara, an English immigrant, and lived in Bath County during the Revolutionary War. Afterward, he moved to Pocahontas County, where he acquired land and established a home for his family. Barlow was known for his skill in hunting and was a respected member of the community.
Felix Grimes and his wife Catherine, immigrants from Ireland, faced a perilous journey to their new home. They endured a severe storm during their transatlantic voyage, narrowly escaping shipwreck. Upon arriving in Pocahontas County, they settled in a deserted hunter's camp. The family relied on a subsistence diet, gathering berries, roots, and wild game for sustenance.
John Smith, a pioneer settler, left a lasting legacy through his descendants. He and his wife, whose name is not mentioned in the source, had twelve children. Their son, John Smith Jr., settled near Edray before moving to Roane County. John Smith Sr. died in 1843 at the age of 82, leaving behind a large and influential family in Pocahontas County.
Jeremiah Friel and his family contributed significantly to the agricultural life of Pocahontas County. Friel and his sons were renowned for their skills in reaping, participating in communal harvesting events. They would travel from farm to farm, assisting their neighbors with their wheat harvests. Friel also served his community by transporting supplies for Virginia troops during the Revolutionary War.
William McLaughlin and his brother John, along with their sisters Jennie and Nancy, were early settlers in Pocahontas County. Their family history is intertwined with the county's development. William’s grandson, Jacob C. McLaughlin, fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Jacob's letters home offer a glimpse into the hardships and sacrifices of soldiers during that conflict.
James Waugh, Jr., a descendant of one of the first settlers in “The Hills,” married Rebecca McGuire and settled on the Greenbrier River. The Waugh family expanded, with his children marrying into other prominent families in the county, including the Flemings, Ratliffes, and Griffins.
The Beard family, known for their industrious spirit, faced challenges and triumphs as they established themselves in Pocahontas County. One member, while hunting deer, encountered a group of Native Americans. He cleverly negotiated a peaceful resolution by offering them tobacco and promising not to disturb them. Later, the same individual married Janet Wallace, solidifying their family's roots in the community.
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