Pocahontas County's past

 

Pocahontas County's past has been shaped by the interactions of various groups, including Native Americans, European settlers, and different ethnic and religious groups, as well as by economic and political forces.

Native Americans

• The region that now includes Pocahontas County was once home to Native American tribes, primarily the Shawnee. The Shawnee used the Ohio Valley as their home base and would come into the area to hunt and defend their hunting grounds.
• There were also other tribes, such as the Ottawas.
• The relationship between the pioneers and the Native Americans was marked by conflict and hostility, with many instances of violence.
• Leaders like Pontiac, Chief of the Ottawas, and Cornstalk, Killbuck, and Crane of the Shawnee, were formidable foes of the settlers.
• Some scholars have theorized about the origins of Native Americans, with some suggesting a Hebrew origin. However, the consensus is that the question of their origin is still perplexing, and no one theory has been proven as fact.
• The French had a different approach to the Native Americans, often living with them and taking Native American wives, whereas the British colonists cleared the land and pushed them away.

European Settlers

• The first European settlers in the area were of English or Scotch-Irish descent.
• Pocahontas County was formed in 1821 from parts of Bath, Pendleton, and Randolph counties.
• The county's formation was a result of the expansion of European settlements into the region.
• Pioneers came to the area seeking refuge from civil and religious wrongs, and were attracted by the availability of land.
• The early settlers faced many hardships, including conflicts with Native Americans, and the need to build forts for defense.
• The first people to spend a winter in Pocahontas County were Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewall in 1750-51.
• Jacob Warwick played a key role in a battle against Cornstalk and his warriors.
• Many people living in Pocahontas County today are descendants of those who assisted in the construction of early forts.

Ethnic and Religious Groups

• The population of Pocahontas County is made up of various ethnic groups, including English, French, Welsh, and Irish.
• The majority of the population is of Scotch-Irish or English-Irish descent.
• The area attracted those seeking religious freedom, including French Huguenots, who had fled France.
• The blending of these various ethnic groups resulted in a composite citizenship, versatile in their tastes and aptitudes.
• There was a significant influx of Scotch-Irish immigrants to the region.

Economic and Political Forces

• The county was initially a frontier region, where the main activities were hunting and bartering.
• Huntersville, the first county seat, was a major trading place, attracting people from both east and west.
• Lumber camps were established in the region, particularly east of the Greenbrier River.
• The construction of railroads in the late 1800s and early 1900s was a major development in the county's history, transforming it from one of the few counties without rail to one with the greatest rail mileage in the state.
• The rise of coal mining also had a significant impact on the region.
• The influence of the local government, especially the county court, was significant in the development and management of the county.

Civil War Era

• Pocahontas County was impacted by the Civil War, with soldiers enlisting on both sides of the conflict.
• The area was the site of several skirmishes and battles, including the battle of Droop Mountain.
• There were instances of violence and lawlessness during the Civil War period, including lynchings.
• Some citizens were accused of being Union sympathizers.
• The county records were moved multiple times for safekeeping during the war.

These interactions, conflicts, and collaborations among different groups have shaped the history and character of Pocahontas County. The county's story is not just of individual events, but also the story of how various groups created a unique cultural landscape.