Surveys and Disputes--The first survey made in what is now Pocahontas County was on the headwaters of Knapps Creek.

 

The sources describe a few different situations where surveys were conducted in the region, including one instance related to settling a dispute about the depth of a cave.

Cave Surveys and Disputes

• A survey of a cave was undertaken to settle a dispute about its depth. The survey was intended to be as accurate as possible and included measurements of distances, heights, and elevations. The survey results were used to create a map of the cave. The cave's "main path" was measured at 1,650 feet in length, though its windings doubled that distance.

 

• The survey was prompted by a dispute over the cave's depth. The person who performed the survey had not intended to publish it, but the owner and others requested a map be made available to the public.

 

The sources describe a cave survey undertaken to resolve a dispute about the cave's depth. The survey aimed for accuracy and included measurements of distances, heights, and elevations. The results were used to create a map of the cave.

Key Details of the Cave Survey:

• Purpose: To settle a dispute regarding the depth of the cave.
• Accuracy: The survey was intended to be as accurate as possible, with measurements taken of distances, heights, and elevations.
• Mapping: The survey results were used to create a map of the cave.
• "Main Path" Measurement: The length of the cave's "main path" was measured to be 1,650 feet. However, the actual distance, considering the cave's windings, was estimated to be more than double this length.

Context of the Survey:

• Initial Intent: The person who conducted the survey did so for their own personal interest and not for publication.

 

• Public Request: The owner of the cave and other individuals requested that a map be made available to the public.

 

• Description: The author of the survey report felt that a written description was not adequate to convey the complexity and beauty of the cave.

Additional Points of Interest:

• The cave survey was conducted in the context of other surveys that were undertaken for different reasons, such as settling land disputes, establishing county and state borders, and mapping the topography.

 

• One of the sources contains a story about a man who got lost in a cave and was found in distress. This story is relevant to the importance of accurate cave surveys for safety.
• The cave in question may be Weyer's Cave, which is described in detail in one of the sources. This cave was discovered by Bernard Weyer around 1804.
• There were other caves in the region and the sources describe a few of them:
• Stephen's Hole Cave, which was once used by a prisoner as a dwelling
• A cave near the base of Greenbrier Limestone at the head of Stevens Hole Run, which was once the home of Steven Sewell.
• Organ Cave, which has been developed as a tourist destination with an electric lighting system.
• A cave in Berkeley County where a man got lost
• A cave near Shepherdstown that runs under the Potomac River.
• A cave on Apple Ridge, said to be 600 feet deep
• Harrison's Cave, which has a large stalactite column

These points provide a comprehensive view of the cave survey and its context.

Other Surveys

• The first surveys in Bath County were made on September 26, 1745, for Adam Dickinson by Thomas and Andrew Lewis.

 

• A survey was conducted to determine the southern boundary of Lord Fairfax's land. Three commissioners were appointed by Lord Fairfax and three by the crown. The survey started at the eastern end in 1786 and reached the Fairfax Stone ten years later. The new line became the boundary between the counties of Frederick and Augusta.

 

• In 1792, a survey defined the line between Pendleton and Bath Counties.

 

• A survey of the boundary between Pendleton and Hardy counties was presented in March 1789.

 

• A survey was done to settle a land dispute between George Poage and the Moores.

 

• A survey was conducted to determine the boundary line between Virginia and Maryland.
  • The boundary line was to begin at the Fairfax stone, at the head spring of the Potomac River, and run due north to the Pennsylvania line.
  • A survey was conducted to determine the true fountains of the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. Commissioners were appointed to examine and survey the rivers, and they were authorized to summon people, take depositions, and search papers.
  • The commissioners determined that the boundary should begin at the first spring of the South Branch of the Rappahannock and run northwest to the place in the Allegheny Mountains where the Potomac River (also known as the Cohongoroota) first rises.

   

• There were surveys done in Pocahontas County in 1798 that were attested by Henry Grimes and Allen Poage, and signed by James Madison.

 

• The first survey made in what is now Pocahontas County was on the headwaters of Knapps Creek.

 

• The area was surveyed to determine the boundaries between Pocahontas and Randolph Counties.

 

• Topographic surveys were conducted by the United States Geological Survey.

These surveys were done for a variety of reasons, such as settling land disputes, establishing county and state borders, and mapping the topography.

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The sources indicate that a land dispute between George Poage and the Moores was resolved through a survey and an exchange of warrants

.

Here's a breakdown of the situation:

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Initial Claim: George Poage had laid a warrant on 2,000 acres of land that would have included 575 acres claimed by the Moores

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The Moores' Position: Initially, the Moores contested Poage's claim based on British land rights, but these rights were not valid

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•

Resolution:

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The Moores availed themselves of a provision allowing for the exchange of warrants

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Levi Moore, Junior, acted as the assignee for Levi Moore, Senior, for lands adjoining Aaron Moore's property

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A new agreement was made between Poage and Levi Moore, Jr., where a warrant held elsewhere was exchanged for the warrant on the land adjoining Aaron Moore

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•

Outcome:

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When applying for the patent, George Poage stated that there had been an exchange of warrants and, at his request, the title for 575 acres was vested in Levi Moore, Junior, as assignee of Levi Moore, Senior

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Poage could have legally claimed the 575 acres, but acted according to a principle of fairness

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This situation demonstrates how land disputes were sometimes resolved in the region through surveys, warrant exchanges, and a commitment to fairness

. It also highlights the importance of the survey in defining property lines and settling claims

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